Positive Signs

[@tammymccutchen2404]

This is absolutely the best training videos I have found for donkeys. I have horses but have never had donkeys. I have acquired 2 yearling jennets that had never been touched by humans. I noticed them making a snoring/purring sound so I dropped my head and immitated them. Soon they approached and sniffed me all over my face. Now this is our routine greeting! So facinating.

[@mountainridgegear8172]

Thank you! And, thank you for sharing!

[@catherinehubbard1167]

What interesting and charismatic animals. It’s heartening to see you working with them in an attentive, respectful, interactive way that takes their emotional states and body language into account. You are earning trust and even friendship, not forcing them and becoming a feared enemy. It reminds me of the methods used by Monty Roberts with horses. Though different, there are common elements with what you are seeing. Roberts saw the head-down licking and chewing motions too and watched for it as a stage of his “join up” process. Thank you for sharing this.

[@ShilgenVens]

It's wonderful watching how kind and gentle the handler is. So patient.

[@mainewoods1862]

I am going to have Donkeys within 5 years so I am learning all I can. Thank you.

[@ClearCreekCabinMiniFarm]

Great sessions - Thank you

[@lesdrinkwater490]

Thanks

[@debdubas3891]

I love your videos in the BLM burro. December 14th, 2017, I adopted my first burro, he had some handling, but very little. I was looking for videos on how to handle him, and decided to earn his trust at liberty using clicker training and treats. I did most of my initial touches through the corral panels, to build my confidence and his. We have been doing more and more inside the pen, as he is approaching me wanting more attention and treats. Just last week I was able to get a halter on him, and I am able to touch him further back on his body. I am moving much slower than you, but I am making slow and steady progress. Thank you for your videos.

[@mountainridgegear8172]

Deb Dubas that’s awesome!

[@fishingcarsandgaming127]

I have a donkey and she was wild for at least 10 years and we’ve had her for a year and she has always like lipped me she just likes to put her lips on me and never ever bites I was curious what that meant

[@randolphbutler1832]

Thanks for sharing.

[@jeanetteyork2582]

Thank you so much for your work and making videos of it. I have a wild BLM donkey and its very valuable for people like us who are without professional donkey trainers (i.e., in New England!!) to see how to make small positive steps. 🐴 Your work makes a difference, thank you again!

[@andibailey3885]

thank you i was working with my jenny and my jack i was thinking we made no progress but we actually did

[@sherrytimm2588]

Way to go Eric, Don is coming along.......

[@jejosi]

Love donkeys and your videos!

[@kathychildress18]

What a sweet little guy

[@torihenton5820]

I am an experienced horse rider and trainer but have just begun to work with donkey's and I am finding how different they truly are from horses. I have a young 1 yr old mini stud donkey. He is sweet and tame but I need some tips on desensitizing him. Do I use the same method as horses? (I practice natural horsemanship style training). Where should my energy level be if I am using a tarp, or flag? He seems to go "introverted" so quickly and it is so hard to tell (unlike a horse) how he is processing.

[@MirjanAcademy]

The voice is not clear or thats my phone

[@brunoramos9747]

You have to get them when they're babies they're much easier to teach

[@rikkitikkitavi997]

There’s a lot to a donkey. They’re cool. 😎

[@mikebonge7206]

I had one pony bite me once. It hurt and scared the sh@@ out of me. D

[@mountainridgegear8172]

Mike Bonge I worked with horses most of my life. I’ve been bitten a few times. Not fun.

[@erinwill6743]

How long did it take to get to this point? We have a blm burro as well only had him a week. We can pet sometimes but he most of the time he just moves away

[@NATHANFREDERICK-rs7yb]

He should have been given a treat after a task.

[@mountainridgegear8172]

I avoid giving donkeys treats. I don’t want them to see humans as vending machines. Because, what do you do when you put a dollar in a vending machine and you don’t get your candy bar? I don’t want that to happen to unsuspecting humans.

[@travismoore9620]

Wats The 1st Step n Startn My Jenny 2 Ride

[@janedoe4858]

I love donkeys ❤ thank you for rescuing them. I'm guessing they were from a blm round up ?

[@IronHideWildfire]

What is the minimum size donkey you recommend for a 170 lb rider?

[@mountainridgegear8172]

John Houston depends on their confirmation as much as their size. A stocky, well built 13.2 donk can carry that much weight pretty easy.

[@hillbilly918]

How do you stop a donkey from nipping at you apparently not trying to hurt you just nipping Or mouthing whatever you want to call it

[@mountainridgegear8172]

Harper's Homestead You need to take immediate action when this occurs. A swat to the mouth works but if it persists a little more force may be required. Donkeys are constantly trying to figure out who’s in charge. So, assert yourself as the leader. You also need to understand the cause. If it is a learned behavior from giving treats then stop giving them. If it’s aggression try and figure out where that’s coming from.

[@hillbilly918]

@@mountainridgegear8172 thank you very kinda what I figured. I don't think the girl I got him from new much about them

[@youssefalshagheel9702]

My new 8 year old donkey loves me to scratch her head, and then gives me her rear end.

[@andibailey3885]

also i was wondering if you could tell me a dieting plan or how too dite your donkeys

[@jenniferfreeman1328]

Just wondering, how did you ever become experienced enough to become a equine trainer without having someone more experienced than you break you of your DANGEROUS habit of wrapping the lead rope around your hand ??? Serpentine loops FTW!

[@dolorestate6599]

Why don't you sick guys leave these donkeys alone, UNLESS you are good to them? That is all I want from all of you. Stop the abuse already! Leave them alone, they do not bother you, unless you are good to them.