DonkeyCharmz

Oscar is a large standard gelding that I am currently training as a saddle donkey. He came to me as a breeding jack that has had very little proper handling and zero training. He has been very difficult but by being mindful in my training, he is starting to come around.

What does it mean to train with mindfulness you ask? For me, it means constantly staying in the moment and thinking about how you can set your donkey up for success with every session. If your donkey is resistant, it does not mean that he’s stubborn, it simply means that he is not ready or doesn’t yet understand what you’re asking him to do.

The best thing you can do to help your donkey learn is to take all the time he needs and to break each lesson into small steps that he can easily accomplish. Each small success will build his confidence (and yours) and he will begin to look forward to each lesson.

Here is an example of training with mindfulness: Your donkey has never loaded in a trailer before and you need to take him to the vet. Begin by starting to teach him a week or two ahead of time so he can learn the skill and not have to be rushed or forced, which would not set him up for success. During the first lesson you should simply introduce him to the trailer without asking him to load. Next day ask a little more, maybe to put head in the trailer. Next day, try and get him to step up front feet, if he jumps on in, wonderful! If not, just praise any effort and then move on to something else. Always end on a positive. If something startles him and he has a meltdown, don’t punish, just step back and ask him to do the last step in the process that he was comfortable with. Reward when he complies & move on. This has allowed him to succeed, even if he hasn’t yet met the end goal.

Very soon, he will be loading or doing whatever skill you are currently training and actually looking forward to it because it has been a pleasant experience.

Most donkeys love attention and love spending time with their favorite human (you!). If you practice being mindful then training will be a much more pleasant and enjoyable experience for both of you.