Awesome clicker day!

Today I did two short sessions with Daisy & Martha indivdually. Of course Martha was having meltdown the entire time I was working with Daisy.  CLICK ME! CLICK MEEEE!

LOL, so Daisy did well, the last time I tried target training with her she was more interested in trying to get as close as possible to the treat bag, hoping it would dispense. She def has some manners to be worked on, she's not bad, but she will mug you a bit, both of them will try to steal treats if given the opportunity.

Daisy had much more understanding of the target today, she was easily touching it, sometimes touching it again, even though she got clicked.  I started to teach her to back, do a head down and step up. some of these things she already knows. As far as a donkey is concerned she's very light and responds to pressure well. I started adding commands to each of these tasks, in hopes that someday she'll respond on command only.  she's backed up on command only before, but it was never solid, same thing with her whoa. Both of which I did not teach her, man I got lucky!!

I was a bit worried she'd get confused with having to touch the target sometimes and other times performing a move, I think in time it'll all make sense. Overall she did fantastic, and we're on our way to being a good example at the little equine festival in October.

Martha did very well, the last time ( which was also the first time!) I did target training with her she reallyt 'got it' and would consistently bump the target when I held it out. Today we worked on following the target, which I hope someday to put a 'walk on' command to. She followed the target really well. I asked for some bends, which she did well too. Then I was trying to teach her to back up in order to touch the target, she had a hard time with this, i think because she couldn't see it.

So i improvised a bit and lightly tapped her on the chest with the target. she took a step back!! OMG C/T JACKPOT!! I was so proud! I've tried some 'moving away from pressure stuff with her before, and it just didn't make sense to her. I tried again, and after about 45 seconds of tapping she stepped back again! C/T!!
I'm talking LIGHT tapping, just barely tapping her! I was so amazed she was moving off of such light pressure, i really hope this transfers to other parts of her body. I did the same thing 3 more times, and each time I was thinking to myself 'ok, end on a good note, don't ask too much!'

After the fifth time I called it quits. On both donks I've introduced an 'all done' cue and I hold up my hands to show that,. I want them to know that we're done and they didn't give a wrong answer.

Oh ya I did a couple manners thing with Daisy too, almost forgot. At the end of the session I just stood there, she mugged me a bit, trying to figure out how to get a click, as soon as she backed up, moved away or looked away she got a C/T. Hopefully teaching her that being in my space doesn't necessarily get her goodies!

Saddle Day for the donks

I went and hung out with the girls since it was much cooler than it had been. I wanted to take advantage of it.

I brushed, cleaned feet & saddled Martha up with NO problems, she didn't even move a muscle!! I didn't even have a lead rope on her! I even got a crupper on her!! she didn't clamp down her tail like Daisy does!!

 then it was Daisy's turned to get saddled up, I wasn't quite sure what my goal was today other than wearing saddles lol. I didn't know if it was possible for me to get them both saddled!!  Daisy made it interesting to say the least, she was kinda moving around, I almost had her cinched up and then she went after Martha. Of course the saddle bounced around a bit and and then flopped off, which scared the crap outta Martha & she took off running & bucking out to the pasture ( geez I need a training pen!).

So I was hoping the saddle stayed on!! LOL she came back around and the saddle was right where I left it. She got it all outta her system and was fine. LOL. then I took Daisy into the small pen, tied her and finished saddling her.

Then I just let both of them wander around the pasture wearing their gear. and of course Daisy was stuck to me like glue, she knew i had pellets!!
had to readjust Daisy, her saddle was sitting too far forward.  went over and messed with Martha's saddle, slapping the seat, fiddling with stirrup leathers etc. she did really well, she just held steady and got rewarded .

I found out the weirdest thing, the stirrups on the black saddle are teeny, I always thought they looked small, but I tried to slip my boot into one, and it wouldn't fit! sheesh!!  put a little weight into each of their stirrups, on Daisy's saddle I could tell if I actually mounted up, it would slide.  I have been looking at some of those super grippy saddle pads ( the kind with the waffle weave on each side) so if anyone has tried those, let me know what you think.

I was actually testing out a $10 pad I got for Daisy, you're supposed to use another pad or blanket with it, but I didn't cuz I wanted to see how it fit. Its a nice thick cushy foam. I found it used at the local snooty tack shop. lol

After that I unsaddled Daisy, I have been working on laying across her, in hopes to eventually hop on her bareback. She's done really well so far. and tonight I did it a few times ( I also bridled her at this point), she was being really good so I swung a leg over. sat there for a second and then slid off. The whole time I've been clicking her for standing STILL. Did that a few more times then sat up there longer, then asked her to move out. I actually rode her around just a teeny bit! and direct reined her!! yay for full cheek snaffles, I don't think there's anything confusing to them with those things!!

I'm pretty proud of my girls!!

walking off into the sunset LOL

Martha is always close by me these days.

Daisy's new Saddle!!

Check it out! got Daisy a saddle on ebay! Its looking like it fits pretty well!!

the official weigh in of this saddle with girth & crupper is 15lbs 10 oz.

todays stuff....

Cleaned out Daisy's hooves, she was very good, no resistance at all today. she got one pellet for each hoof. maybe that helped?? LOL a little incentive for being a good girl.

then I haltered Martha, who was in the stall, she was very good, let me put it right on her. Then i used the carrot stick to start touching her legs. Going very slowly and praising her when she let me put it on her legs. She did step back a couple times but nothing big, she soon let me touch them with no resistance.
I gave her breaks in between. i'm going very slow with her. She seems to get overwhelmed easily if you go to fast or ask too much.

She then was standing in the doorway of the stall. I petted down her left front leg a couple times praising her for when she stood still and accepted it. I was very soft with her. Then one time she picked up her leg, so i gently held it for a second, gave it back and praised the crap outta her! LOL. I did it a second time but held the leg a little bit longer! I praised her for the smallest amount of try.

I repeated it on the right front leg, i didn't get to hold it, but she got rewarded each time she let me pet it down to her pastern. Kept it all short, soft and lots of praise when she did well. I think she's getting it.

good day with the donks.

donkey day

Went out and visited the donks at lunch ( turned into an extended lunch! LOL)
got some good scratchings in with Martha, Daisy wanted nothing to do with me at first. Then my work friend was talking to steve over the fence, and both donks came up & were interested. They both got scratched/loved on. I had my carrot stick with me today so Martha gets used to seeing it.

then steve grabbed the stick at one point and was playing with it, twirling it around while he was talking. So this was good exposure for Martha. Then i jumped on the trampoline, Daisy came over to investigate, and actually stood right at the edge of the trampoline while i was jumping. Martha came up but not as close. Then I sat on the edge and played a bunch with Daisy. I'm talking about a lot! lol playing with her lips, scratching her face, holding her head. She was just getting loved on!

I grabbed the tarp and showed the people across the fence how daisy was really tolerant of the tarp. put it on her head, made a hood, put it over her head. she just stood there. put it over her back and left it there. then she started walking around - the whole time Martha was watching probably thinking 'OMG the blue thing ate Daisy!'

Daisy started walking back to the shelter, but Martha was in front of her, Daisy still had the tarp on. It was so funny to see my calm donk desensitizing my scaredy cat donk! Daisy ended up in the pen and Martha in the alley way. Steve still had the stick. so while i was loving on Daisy Steve was letting Martha smell the stick, and he was actually able to touch her on her face, neck, back, rump and thigh with it. he got down almost to the back hock and then she walked off. But i thought it was fantastic that she had someone else showing her the stick & touching her with it. I put the tarp back on Daisy and she walked to the pasture with Martha close behind.

I just kept working that tarp! lol i was holding it open while it was still on Daisy, rubbing it around. flapping it around. ITs good for the both of them. Next time I'm definitely bringing my camera out. I liked how Steve was going about things with Martha - he's not an equine person and hasn't had much experience with them. but he'd show it to her, let her sniff it. then he'd touch her a bit, then he'd let her sniff it again. It was neat, he was very gentle & patient with her.

there have been a couple days where I've worried about Daisy a bit, cuz she's seemed very put off lately, when she's usually very lovey. Today she was a love bug so that made me feel better.

feet cleaning, rope work.

I went out and cleaned Daisy's feet. had her tied to the pine tree in the pasture. She did great on 3, but the last hind she wanted to fight. Reminded her that she can't do that, then picked it back up and cleaned it out. I swear sometimes she's a butthead and thinks she forgets stuff. pfffft.

while i had Daisy tied I went and brushed Martha a bit. I also tried to see if she'd let me touch one of her front feet. NOPE. So i untied Daisy & used the lead rope to kinda 'sack' out Martha a bit. First i asked her to hold my rope LOL I just put it on her back. let her think about it a little. Then i took it off & started gently swinging the end of it so it was touch & swing around her leg. At first she thought that wasn't cool. But I kept at it, every time she'd stand still and allow it I would stop & tell her what a good donk she was. I kept each little sack out session short. there was probably 4 sessions in 5-10 minutes. Just gave her breaks to think about it. the rope didn't eat her. LOL.

I thought i was done so i started heading back, but Martha was following me. LOL. so I went back to petting her, throwing the rope around her legs, and even tossing the rope over her back. Flopping it on her sides a little. She did great at that.

This time when I brushed her I almost got to her rump, got the sides pretty good, and to the front knees and just a hair past. Even got some girth brushing in there too. This is all VERY short brushings, maybe a minute each time. I always step away from her when she's calm & relaxed. And usually she steps back towards me for some more.

lunch time scratchings......

Today at lunch I went out to see the girls. I petted Daisy a bit, then started over towards Martha and of course I had to tell Daisy 'go do something else' and she did. I walked over to Martha & she didn't budge or even seem 'unsure', gave her some neck scratchings, worked down her back, and over her shoulders. I'm keeping everything extremely short so I don't overwhelm her.

This morning she got to take off her halter, I let her sniff it while it was bunched up in my hand, and gave her some love. Then I rearranged it into another 'shape' and let her see it again, and told her she was a good girl for sniffing the scary halter that just changed shapes LOL.

obstacle course!

haltered Daisy up for a short run through the obstacle course, I haven't really worked with her much since before I went on vacation. So I made it a point to keep this session short.

Pulled out a tarp & spread it out with a tire on each corner to keep it from flying away - it's pretty breezy here today. set up the remaining 4x4 poles I have which is two LOL, set up the tires so that if she attempted to avoid the poles she's have to go over tires which = not as fun/easy.

She immediately sniffed the tarp as soon as I laid it out. I set up the poles so that one end was on the tire and the other end is on the ground. First I asked her to cross the poles, she did great. I really made sure I was giving her lots of praise for any amount of try - since I kinda start forgetting since I expect more from her & foreget to keep up the praise. then we moved onto the tarp, she sniffed, I asked, she refused & went to the next side. She realized that I didn't move & still wanted her to 'come' with me. As soon as shes put a foot on it I praised her. I let her sit & think about it, which wasn't long. then I asked her to cross it. She did so willingly!

praise, praise, praise.

I asked her to come with me back to the poles, she then started to 'donkify' me by pushing into me with her jaw. I told her to whoa, but she continued to push into me. for some reason my immediate response was to grab the lead rope from the opposite side of her head & apply pressure in the direction she was pointing her head ( i had to reach over her back/neck to do this), not sure if it was the right thing or not, but it worked. Her reaction was almost 'whoa! what the heck' - during this time I was telling her to quit it, before i did the reach over. LOL.

After that she didn't really try it again, I guess she's just always testing the water! back over the poles we went, this time it was even better - she was kinda weird about her legs last time, this time she was nice & balanced. I turned her around and asked her to walk between the poles. then to whoa, then to back a couple times. She did all of it, kinda got stuck on *back* but she eventually remembered what I wanted.

Back over the poles, then to the tarp, this time NO hesitation!! did the poles, then the tarp, then the poles, and we were done. I was randomly asking her to whoa, then back, then walk off in between the obstacles.

pretty good short session!!
I think it really helps that she has access to that area all the time now, becuase now she's not so worried about eating when we're out there :)

This afternoon we did some brushing, just a quick once over, she was great. Except for the part where i accumulated some static electricty & shocked her when I went to kiss her on the nose!!
Rubbed a bit of hoofmaker on her front hooves, and then wormed her - which was followed by a peppermint!! OOH!!

pics from 'training' day

gotta have it least one hoof pic, front right.

grazing break during a training session.

Wearing a saddle pad

Rigged this up last weekend, just so Daisy could get used to the feeling of a girth on her. It wasn't very tight, jut snug enough so the saddle pad didn't fall off.

Sweet donkey eyes!!

ah the first post.

Ok, lets see, I'm making this to track the progress with my Donkey, Daisy. She is a 5 year old Jennet, from the BLM. I dont know much about her from her previous owner, other than she lived in a 12' x 12' pen for the last two years.

I'm not sure why I bought a donkey. I love all equines, I've met very lovely donkeys. She seemed like such a sweet girl when I went & looked at her & I was sure I could provide her with a happier home. And quench my need of having an equine companion - something I've wanted ever since I could remember.

Today Daisy's pen is 4x larger than her previous one, complete with lots of fresh water, hay, a jolly ball & even some home made toys hanging for her to play with ( i.e. washed out laundry detergent bottles with some rocks for shaking, hanging by some twine). I catch her almost on a daily basis playing with both of her toys. She also has access to a salt/mineral block.

She redesigned her pen a week after she got her, by chewing two very large holes in the side of the shed. She said she needed a better view & a vent for the breezes. I actually believe her. Since then she's stopped her renovation on her shelter & seems content. ( the shed is very old by the way).

So far we've went on a couple walks, the last one was better than the first. She didn't quite drag me down the road as much as the first time. She leads well & I call her a very 'forward' donkey, she doesn't mind going for a stroll. Contrary to the old image people think of where the donkey is planted & the human is at the other end of the lead rope pulling with all of their strength.

She is 100% ok with her front feet being handled, we're working towards the backs through grooming. When I went & picked her up, she would NOT let me get near her back end to pick up her feet. I was pretty insistant on seeing that it could be done. When the previous owner wouldn't not do it either I asked her to get one of her friends to do it. Which she did. A lady came over & managed to get one of her back feet up.

I can touch her pretty much all over with a carrot stick. Ive used a rope once or twice to rub her midsection. But so far she still objects to me brushing her midsection. We'll see if she's just not used to it, or just being a donkey & saying 'I dont wanna'

So far I've had a lot of support from a Yahoo group called EARS4fun2. They're a great group of people over there that truely love their donkeys. A awesome source for information.

My short term goal at the moment is to get her ok with having her back feet handled so we can get her trimmed.

Long term goal: riding & driving ( as per her previous owner she supposidly knows this, but I could not get her to demonstrate it, then later on she said that she had never tried either with her, so we'll just assume that she's never had any training).

And so far despite when she's being a butt head - those moments where she just lets me hug her head & love on her, makes it all worth it.

I'll be adding more background info as I go. and as I remember!! haha!

I also wanted to add that I am not a trainer, of anything. i just love equines & like to work with them. I'd rather work with my animal myself & really bond with her, rather than send her out to a trainer. :) thats just me.