Training our Rescue Donkey, Part One || Beginning the Lead Rope

In just three days of intentional, gentle training, our sweet rescue donkey, Virgil, is already walking calmly along side me on the lead rope. We've been waiting for this training for 3 months. It took him weeks to even approach us, he was so unsocialized and scared of people.
After months of bonding with him and earning his trust, I finally decided it was time to take the next step. Please enjoy watching his wonderful progress ❤️

[@LifewithBlindaandChuck]

Patience and trust. And a little food helps.

[@bernadineseidel7078]

This is the first I've met Virgil. What a great story. I have slways wanted to have a donkey that can pull a cart. Beautiful and inspirational ❤️.

[@cabincreekhomestead761]

Aw thank you so much! I can’t tell you how much joy Virgil has brought to me!♥️

[@Kelly-oq3wm]

You’re so incredibly good with him! It’s so beautiful to see your gentleness. I just got mini’s in December and hoping I can do the same with my babes. ❤

[@cabincreekhomestead761]

So excited for you to get your own!!!! You’ll do great, they’re easy to please and water to bond 🥰

[@XpurlX]

Virgil has a 🧡 on his side so cute 🥰 blessings for you and your family stay safe 🕊🙌🏻

[@cabincreekhomestead761]

I see it now!! How did I never notice? Oh so cute!!

[@sisswift8423]

Patience is a virtue. Wishing you great success.

[@cabincreekhomestead761]

Yes! Been learning a lot of patience with this one. Thank you

[@brayerpatch3471]

Virgil is a very handsome donkey and you are doing a great job getting him to trust you

[@cabincreekhomestead761]

Thank you love!

[@Cameocollege2012]

I loved watching and listening to you- you are a true gift to these animals.

[@cabincreekhomestead761]

Aww. You’re sweet. Thank you!

[@lunanother]

Loving the information, the music and your voice. My favorite part, when the goat joins!! So sweet. Love to see that connection with animals

[@cabincreekhomestead761]

Animals are special and we love Virgil!♥️

[@thewicklowwench1638]

Just tickled to see the rest of the herd join in a the end XD. Your animals love you so much.

[@cabincreekhomestead761]

So sweet!!!

[@ElectrikUnicorn]

Swinging the rope looked like it was gonna give him a heart attack

[@cabincreekhomestead761]

It really does. Thank goodness we work with him often to help him realize all these things are safe and good for him!

[@LHLK-f9t]

@@cabincreekhomestead761 is it necessary, what is your goal for him?

[@trumanhw]

I can tell you're very SMART. Unlike most people (who make me anxious) who talk LOUD and flail their arms right in front of their animal's face. When you're focused on Virgil, you're careful with your hands. But, you're a hand-talker ... and as soon as you were focusing on clearly communicating with us vs training Virgil, your hands got flaily...and I'm sure you saw it when reviewing the video that the second you started hand-talking Virgil was anxious / scared. Obviously it's subconscious (maybe even not seeing Virgil's negative reaction was due to your desensitization?). I'd imagine you've already "trained" yourself to increase your cognizance of reducing hand flailing when you're talking and we'll see a reduction in it (at least when your hands are near your beautiful Virgil's face) given how excellent you are, (truly superior to most trainers precisely bc of your conscientiousness) as is indicative by your cognizance to always speak with the minimum volume adequate for Virgil and viewers to hear. Verses 99% of youtubers (even when they know they're dealing with a skittish nanimals) speak in a loud and obnoxious voice. I wish I could visit and watch your training with virgil in person (or feed him a carrot or two!).

[@nevertrust946]

The Andy Griffith Show

[@cabincreekhomestead761]

Ding ding!

[@ryannanissila9274]

I have a 14 month old John I wanna start ground work on so by the time he is 24 month (2 years) I can get him started with saddle training.. The problem is I've only ever broken horses.. is it at all the same?

[@cabincreekhomestead761]

I might not be the perfect person to ask, but they’re very similar in my book. I’ve never trained a horse from start to finish, but I’ve had to re-train, correct and start horses. I see a lot of similarities, especially in building trust and desensitizing. I think it depends on your opinion of training. I know a lot of horse trainers are in a hurry to finish a horse in four months, but I’m in no hurry. Last week was the first time I placed a saddle on his back, and he almost had zero reaction. That’s my goal. In my opinion, there’s no need to rush through it and go through the bucking bronco stage. But then again, I have plenty of time 😄

[@genesmay6589]

Just got 2 minis. One is a real ass...🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@cabincreekhomestead761]

YUP 😅

[@youssefalshagheel9702]

The Aeneid. What halter do ou reccommend ?

[@cabincreekhomestead761]

For this I recommend a good rope halter. It gives the necessary gentle pressure that a standard halter does not!

[@joellehand4651]

Virgil is the sweetest donkey ❤️ also Virgil comes from Andy Griffith, when Barney’s cousin comes and his name was Virgil 😂😂

[@cabincreekhomestead761]

you won 10 points!

[@brookiebb4483]

I loved this presentation! I really liked how much patience you had with him.

[@cabincreekhomestead761]

Thank you!! He’s a joy and worth the patience it requires

[@oliviagoslyn]

Did he come from Horse plus rescue ???

[@cabincreekhomestead761]

No from Last Chance

[@user-uo9br9fe2s]

I am so glad you left the whole video up and explained so well. I was doing some research and you answered my questions. Thank you!❤️

[@cabincreekhomestead761]

Thank you for such a sweet comment!!

[@SuzanneWho]

Beautiful boy! Is that horse really big or is it because I’m seeing him next to Virgil? Sweet animals. ❤️😎🐈‍⬛

[@cabincreekhomestead761]

The horse is a big one! 😊