The Great Blue Heron

 There was an odd, throaty bird call when I finished the chores on Friday.  I looked up and saw a great blue heron gliding into our pasture.  I thought it was a little odd, because our creek is not deep enough to wade in and there probably isn't enough food for a hungry water bird, but he was probably just passing through.  

Saturday morning, our son and I went to the fishing property to work on a new trail.  This property is down the road from our farm and has access to deeper water, including Black Creek.  My husband called and told me that the cows were chasing a big grey bird in the pasture.  I immediately remembered the heron from the day before.  After confirming that it was the same bird, my husband said he didn't think it could fly.  He locked up the cows, so the bird could be left in peace.  I told him I would call FWC to report injured wildlife. I was referred to a rehabber, who asked us to bring the bird to him, but didn't sound very encouraging.  He said it would be best if the bird was taken somewhere he could feed himself and that would give him the best chance to heal, unless there was something obviously wrong with him.  I was given instructions on how to catch him with a sheet and to control his head so he couldn't "poke your eye out".  Pondering this, I realized that if I just pushed harder and finished the trail to the water, I could potentially walk the bird back there and release him in a spot where he could find food.  It was his best hope.  

We worked as hard and fast as we could and finished the trail right down to the water's edge.  We drove back to the farm and spotted the bird still in the pasture.  I enlisted the neighbor and her young relative in the hunt.  The four of us slowly approached and the poor bird flapped his wings , but was unable to leave the ground.  He fluttered away and laid down, exhausted.  The second time, we successfully moved him toward the fence and had him cornered.  We quietly covered him with a sheet and I bundled him up in my arms.  My husband drove as our son and I stayed in the back of the truck with the bird still wrapped in the sheet.  We walked down the new trail and released him.  Another great blue heron was feeding not far away.  He approached our tired one and squawked a little at our bird before moving away.  We checked the area on Sunday and the heron had moved from his release spot.  Hopefully, he found his way to food and appropriate habitat.  

The Nippers Of Death

 This is Marty.  As the eldest of the burros, I should tell this story.  It's a Halloween story sure to scare small burro foals and make grandma burros mad.  

I should start at the beginning.  We were taken from our home, which, apparently, humans say isn't ours to begin with.  Some of them even called us "feral".  Personally, I prefere 'wild' because it has a sense of mystique you just don't get from 'feral'.  Those humans also said that we don't belong in the desert.  Well, it was humans that brought us there in the first place.  They wanted us to help them carry their stuff while they dug for pretty rocks that they were excited about.  That story came down from my ancestors.  They brayed with laughter at the absurdity of it all.  You can't eat a rock!  And all those crazy miners seemed to buy with their rocks was 'liquid trouble', as the wise, old burros called it.  If humans took us to that desert in the first place, why blame us for still being there over a hundred years later?  Anyway, that's where we were and, as my grandpappy used to say, you belong where your manure drops.  Well, humans feel differently.  They said it was unfair to the other animals, so we were hauled away.  

Instead of going into the various details of how I came to be here, at this little farm, suffice to say that it was a tedious and winding road.  However, here I am, and these three humans that adopted us have proved themselves to be generous treat dispensers.  Plus, the work is easy.  All in all, I thought it was safe to settle into a pleasant life of domesticity.  

I was wrong.

IT came in a truck and trailer that rattled and banged along the road.  IT was loud, large, and shaggy.  Although mostly human in appearance, IT had none of the quiet, gentle tones that our humans have.  ITs large paw-like hands smelled of chemicals and hooves.  Worst of all, when I was tied up, I couldn't flee and IT gripped my poor hooves and held on.  IT also had metal tools that were sharp and noisy. I don't know why, but IT wanted my feet!  Our humans have had an odd fascination with our feet since we've been here.  Always examining them and picking them out every time they take us out for work.  I thought it was just a quirk, and they were gentle enough, so no big deal.  The IT, however, wanted to cut our hooves and our humans allowed it!  The lady human just gave me treats and used soothing words while this beast thing was nibbling off my feet with ITs tools!  I tried to tell her, with my eyes, how much peril I was in, but she failed to understand.  When IT let me go, I kept myself composed until she led me back to the paddock and then, to show that I disapproved of it all, I pouted the world's biggest burro pout.  Burros and donkeys are champions of pouting.  In fact, a burro I knew in Arizona kept up a pout for five solid years!  

Later, our humans came back and gave us treats.  As if they could buy us off.  Ha!  As if I would forget all the weirdness of the IT because of a treat.  Ha!  Although it was one of the really good treats we only get every once in awhile.  It had alfalfa in it.  And corn.  Is that a little oats in there, too?  And molasses.  I love molasses.  You know, the word 'ass' is in molasses for good reason...

Wait, what were we talking about?

Packing and trotting

 The burros have been carrying the pack saddle every day through the obstacles course or around the farm.  The fitting has been difficult to get used because I've never actually packed before.  With the help of instructional videos, and what I've learned about driving harnesses, I think I have it fitted properly for both burros.  

Almost daily picking of their hooves will, hopefully, pay off today when the farrier comes to do their feet for the first time.  There are just not enough farriers around our area, so he usually can only fit us in when everyone is due.  

JJ needs to learn how to trot in hand.  My previous attempts were unsuccessful and, actually, made him nervous.  I tried speeding up while leading him and speaking encouragingly.  His head went up, his eyes got big, and he resisted.  This time, I picked a stretch next to the barn to move him along, so he couldn't swing out.  He had already been acclimated to the feel of the little whip and wasn't scared of it.  I moved the whip behind him (not touching) to motivate him.  He trotted a few steps and was rewarded.  He was more relaxed because I think he finally understood what I was asking.  Good boy, JJ!  

Meanwhile, Marty is gaining weight and looking better.  

  

Pack Saddle!

 It finally came together today.  Both burros went for a walk with the pack saddle on.  

I need to back up because I haven't been posting regularly (my apologies).  

Lessons learned in the last couple of weeks:

1) The burros aren't ready for the trails, yet.  

2) They must be handled every day, or, at least, only skip one day between sessions.

3) They will do anything for treats.

I did daily sessions all week, with the exception of yesterday (too many chores).  They picked up their feet and enduring extra leg grooming due to flies.  In fact, this time of year, the flies become absolutely ruthless on poor donkey legs.  For some reason, donkeys suffer worse than horses.  I used medicated paste smeared on their lower legs where the flies had caused bare patches and sprayed the fly spray, aggressively, daily.  This week is when the burros really learned that all my attention has rewards.  

I switched the order of training from JJ first to Marty first.  SInce JJ is more nervous, this gives him a chance to see exactly what he will experience.  He watches quietly from their paddock.  

On Monday, I created an obstacle course in the small pasture next to the barn.  I've been turning the horses out in it, so the grass is eaten down enough to move easily.  I set up cones and a barrel to weave around.  I set up the jump with one side on the standard and the other side on the ground (for now).  I set up poles in a three sided square to work on turning on the haunches and stepping over.  Each day, I groomed the burros, walked them through the obstacle course, and then put the pack saddle on their backs.  Om Tuesday, the cinches finally came in, so I cinched it up by degrees each day until today, when it was fully cinched up and the breeching was placed over their hindquarters.  They did very well.  I'm so proud of both of them.  

Busy Days and Regression

 Events conspired to keep me from doing daily training for three days.  I managed to pet both burros daily and give them treats.  I also walked JJ around his paddock on Friday, practicing a few little things, but I didn't do the daily hoof picking.  As it turns out, that was a mistake.

I finally got Jeremiah out yesterday morning.  He was a little jumpier than usual.  It's amazing how fast these guys regress without daily handling.  I was on the last hoof, when he jerked it away from me in a spastic motion.  He hit my jaw with his hoof pretty hard.  It wasn't an intentional hit.  It was more just a sudden frantic pull.  I felt around and nothing was broken.  Just a bruise that will show up later and a cut on the inside of my lip.  Not a big deal, but ice would be good.  First, however, I got the soft rope back out, and used it on JJ's reactive leg several times until he was lifting on request and quietly holding it up for me until I let him put it back down.  After he was all groomed up, I put his saddle blanket and pack saddle on for the first time.  I don't have the cuinches, yet (should be here Tuesday) but JJ stood with it on his back for awhile.  When we were done, I groomed both Marty and my Mustang, before heading inside for a washcloth and some ice.  It feels much better this morning.  With a mask on in public, no one will even see the bruise that will likely form.  

I have a goal of taking JJ to the MHF show at the beginning of December, but our daily, or near daily sessions will have to continue long after that until he is a settled citizen.  He should be considered "green" for at a least a year.  My immediate concern, however, is that our farrier is due this week to trim both burros.  I'll do extra sessions and add a few new movements to mimic trimming and rasping to get them ready.  He is spookier and harder to train than Marty, but I remember that the spookier animals are also the more sensitive ones.  That sensitivity can be a good thing, once an animals is comfortable in their new life.  

Marty is finally gaining weight.  His hair lies closer to his body and he's lost some of that pot bellied look.  No more coughing either.

Whoa!

 Jeremiah needs to learn how to stop when he's afraid and let me help him.  To work on this, I've added a form of "sacking out" to our routine.  This phrase conjures up negative images of fear and kicked up dust, but it shouldn't be that way.  I tie JJ to the hitching post and I show him something potentially scary.  If he reacts by moving his feet, I ask him to 'Whoa'.  When he stops, I praise him and offer a treat for being a brave burro.  Pretty soon, he learns that I won't push him to the point where he has to move his feet and I won't hurt him with the new object.  He gets praise and treats for standing.  I start out by getting close enough for him to reach out and smell it.  When he does, he gets a treat.  Then, I back off and re-approach with it at his shoulder, then his back, and off to the other side to repeat the process (which usually goes much faster).  It's game we play where he gets lots of treats for being brave.  

One other interesting thing that I've added to his routine are hugs.  Or, more accurately, burro hugs.  I reach over his withers and pet his opposite shoulder or neck.  It helps calm him.  I use it whenever I think he might need it, or to be friendly.  He seems to calm down a bit.

To make sure both burros are not spreading parasites back and forth, I dewormed Jeremiah today with the same dewormer I used on Marty.  Fecal tests next month to make sure they're clear.  

Marty is already looking better since his deworming.  He had loose poops for several days, which usually means the body is ridding itself of killed parasites.  He is brighter and more energetic.  His cough is also gone, so the vet must have been correct about the endocarditis.  His antibiotics are almost gone now.  I think he has maybe two more days of it.  His bray is becoming louder and stronger as well.  The farm has been too quiet.  It's nice to hear braying again.  

Marty at the hitching post.

Bolting, Again

 Both burros are really doing well with having their hooves picked out daily, brushing, walking around the farm and seeing new things, and tolerating blankets on their backs.  I can't put the pack saddle on until I receive the cinches.  I thought it came with, but nope.  They should be here in a week or two.  In the meantime, JJ and I started out in the arena with sidepassing, backing, and turning on the hind end.  He is making slow progress.  

Then, since he did so well the other day on the road, I took him for a short walk.  I want to hit the trails with these guys so badly.  JJ did well, but he was nervous because the neighbor across the street was mowing her lawn.  She looked to be done with the upper portion, so we turned that way for our walk.  

Only one neighbor with an old truck drove by and stopped a bit to talk.  JJ was tense but not too worried, until he heard the mower in the woods behind us.  I forgot that she has a trail she mows through there.  JJ suddeenly bolted.  I tried to turn him, but his neck was set and his momentum built too quickly for me to gain control.  I let go.  He ran to our property and stopped outside his paddock fence.  I walked up to him, picked up his lead rope, reassured him, and we headed back up the road.  He balked a bit, but I got him almost to where we were before, and then he bolted again.  The neighbor just started weed whacking.  I fetched him again, and we walked partway up, and then past the gate the other direction, before heading back home.  

I pushed him too hard today.  I thought he was ready, but the mowing noises must have been too much for him.  I have a few rope burns to remind me to slow down a bit and do more basics.  Our neighbor is nice person, and always mows her lawn on Saturday morning.  She has her headphones on and probably didn't even know that we had so much trouble.  We'll stay on the farm for a few more weeks and avoid Saturday morning walks.  

I took Marty out for grooming and a walk around the farm.  He did so well.  He even made tentative friends with one of the goats.  While grooming him, I noticed, with alarm, that he has still not gained weight.  His coat is still rough and he is too bony along his topline, shoulders, and hips.  I also hear a lot of tummy noises whenever I'm close to him.  I asked the vet about deworming, but she was more focused on his heart murmur.  I had some deworming paste, so I gave him a dose for his approximate weight.  I hope it makes a difference.  He was very good for the dewormer because he's so used to his antibiotic in the mornings.  

The Big Blue Ball

 I don't remember when they became popular, but the horse world has been inundated with giant toy balls for horses over the last ten years.  There are plenty of videos of horses rolling, chasing, kneeling and biting at these balls.  

The burros were not aware of this trend.  In fact, the idea of going anywhere near a giant, bright colored, round thing that moves at the slightest touch, is the opposite of what they would like to do.  JJ, especially, considers the ball a threat to his immediate health and welfare.  

I suppose it will take some work to get him to go near the thing.  Since they are profoundly popular among horsey types, we might see them at the event in December, so I do think this introduction is necessary, but it will have to wait.

In the meantime. daily grooming and hoof picking is the top priority for both burros to be healthy and well-adjusted.  We took them both for a walk together, but Marty was the weakest link, slowing and stopping at every chance.  We'll have to go back to individual walks.  

Burro Cafe

 Marty likes his medicine.  Every morning, I dissolve it in warm water and add molasses until it's the color of tea, but thicker.  Then, I draw it up in a big syringe and slip into the corner of his mouth.  I hold his chin up and push the liquid in slowly.  Marty half closes his eyes and sucks it right up.  It's like his morning coffee.  His own personal Cafe Mol-Ass blend.

They really enjoy their paddock and the feeder is perfect.  Donkeys tend to poop near (or on) their hay, so you need it up off the ground.  I'm using a goat hay feeder for them.  It's the perfect height and easily dragged into their stall on rainy days.   

After giving Marty his liquid happiness, I brought Jeremiah out for grooming and fun.  I took my time picking out his hooves and treating him for thrush (they look better already).  I also did a few preliminary steps for tricks I'd like to teach him.  Then, we moved on to more practical work.  Once again, he tolerated the blanket on his back, but this time I asked him to walk with it folded in half, like a saddle blanket.  The shifting and changing view of it made him think a bit.  He did well.  

Next, we walked off the farm for the first time.  He's still a little reactive around long gates, so we practiced going in and out of our farm gate a few times before walking down the road.  He was worried about the footing until he stepped out and realized it was packed clay and sand.  It was smooth, but the vehicle tracks and the variety of colors threw him off a little.  Soon, he was calmly walking down the road, just outside of his own paddock.  Marty looked a little perplexed and perhaps a bit jealous.  

When we returned, I showed him the surcingle and held it, slightly tightened around girth area.  He was calm and relaxed.  He had a great day and seems to enjoy the new things I throw at him.  Especially because his calm reaction earns him little carrot slices.  

Marty has caught up to Jeremiah in all ways, except for picking out his hooves and going for walks.  Today, I really took my time with his back feet.  The front feet went well and I treated him for thrush, but it's been difficult to get him to keep them up long enough to really clean them.  I used the rope on his left hind to ask him to keep it up longer.  He responded well.  He worked his leg back and forth, but no kicking out.  Once he let me decide when to put his hoof down, he was rewarded.  Only three asks with the soft rope and he was doing so well that I removed it and asked one more time, before rewarding him and moving on.  When I asked for his right hind, he remember the lesson from his other hoof and willingly held it for me until I gave it back.  Both burros were easier with the second hind foot.  That tells me that they want to know what I'm asking them to do.  My language is probably a little clumsy, compared to professional trainers, but they got it.  What wonderfully, willing, creatures these burros are!  

Marty's Heart

I picked out all of JJ's hooves today and he accepted a blanket on him and around him with no reaction.  He also tolerated the pack saddle blanket.  I ordered a pack saddle his size and can't wait to try it on him.  First, however, I'll use the soft, pony-sized, surcingle to get him used to something around his girth.  I used it to teach Maggie, our Shetland Pony, how to ground drive.  

It was raining, so we missed our walk, but I showed him a pool noodle and he didn't even bat an eye.  A good grooming, fly spray, some treats, and then he went back to his paddock to relax.  His coat is already so much softer than when he first arrived.  

Next, I did the same with Marty.  He also accepted the blanket easily and allowed me to pick out all four hooves.  He fidgets a little when tied.  He's fascinated with how his lead rope works.  I caught him tugging on it.  He'll probably figure out how to untie himself one of these days.  

The burros with their saddle blankets.  

I moved my hands all over Marty, to test his reactions to a vet exam.  During the process, I found some itchy spots on his rump.  As I scratched him, he side-stepped towards me, gently, to help me reach as much as possible.  The vet arrived while I was scratching him.  

"Hi there", I called, "Just scratching my ass!" 

During the exam, the vet said Marty's lungs were not congested, but she heard a mild heart murmur.  That coupled with the fact that he hasn't gained any weight over the past three weeks, made her suspect endocarditis from an old wound that picked up some bacteria.  It could have happened when he was trapped, back in May, and they gelded him at the BLM facility, or from the old healed over wound near his right eye.   Endocarditis can cause a mild cough.  He also didn't have a temperature. Some bacteria have an affinity specifically for heart valves.  Some people with heart issues are prescribed an antibiotic before dental work because the bacteria from teeth is likely to get into their bloodstream and find those valves.  Marty has an alfalfa flavored antibiotic I'll introduce to him this morning, along with his ration balancer.  If he won't eat it, I can put it in a mixture of applesauce and water and feed it to him in a syringe.  The vet said that the murmur is so mild that it should not cause him any trouble in the future.  So, good news and a treatable issue that will, hopefully, resolve quickly.  Meanwhile, Marty is showing more of his sweet personality.  He likes hugs, begs shamelessly for treats, and even takes the occasional selfie....

 

Hoof Picks and Treats

 Jeremiah and I worked on hoof picking again today.  He's much spookier than Marty, so he's more reactive to scary, new things.  Handing over control of his back hooves is a big deal, but persistence paid off.  I used the rope to tell him what I didn't want by holding his foot up, if he kicked, and waiting for him to relax before letting him put it down.  In essence, I was answering his questions.  I asked him to lift the hoof, he struck out (which is technically lifting it).  I told him that he had to be calm before he could put it back down.  It took awhile before he understood and could bypass his fear reaction to actually not kick out.  Once he seemed to understand, I started getting him used to my hand asking him to pick up his foot.  That's the risky part.  I did get a few abrasions on my arm, but better that than by going too fast and getting a broken bone.  Eventually, he let me pick up his foot and put it down quietly.  He was immediately rewarded with a treat.  I managed to pick out all four feet and treat them for thrush today.  Now, the trick is to do this daily until it's no big deal.  I'm guessing we're a week away from his first hoof trimming.  

After that difficult lesson, we went for another walk where he was finally formally introduced to the husband.  I passed treats over and they bonded quickly.  JJ even made faces and lipped him gently for more treats.  

Back in the barn, I showed JJ a saddle blanket.  I used the approach and retreat method until he was more relaxed, then he was rewarded for touching the blanket.  We went so far as to place the blanket lightly on his shoulders before finishing up with a nice grooming.

There is something odd that I've been noticing about burros, vice training horses.  With horses, their peripheral vision is not quite connected, so a new scary object seen by the left eye, has not been seen by the right eye.  To correct for this, you can make sure both eyes see the object by turning the horse's head, and introduce the object as something new on each side of the horse.  So, showing JJ a blanket in front of him, and getting him to touch it with his nose, would adequately allow him to see the object with both eyes (as long as it wasn't in his blind spot).  However, when I touched his left shoulder with the object, his right eye would not see that and, theoretically, I would have to do the same on his right shoulder.  Even though the eyes have seen it in front, it still looks different on the sides.  This is how it is with horses.  JJ reacted to the new object touching his left shoulder until he accepted it.  However, when I moved over to his right shoulder, he did not react.  Are burros and donkeys different in this way?  Do they have more visual connections in the their brains?  A fun thing to ponder as I keep working with these guys.  

I took Marty out and we worked on picking up his poor, overgrown hooves.  He allowed me to mostly pick out his front feet and treat them for thrush (he has a worse case than JJ).  Duie to his quieter nature, I tried picking up his back feet without using the rope.  I ran my hand down his leg over and over again until I thought he was comfortable (he had no reaction).  Then, I asked for him to lift it, but let go as soon as he did.  He did not kick out, so I rewarded him with a treat immediately.  I asked again, and still, no kicking out.  More treats were provided.  I left it at him allowing one swipe with the hoof pick on each back foot.  

As I was contemplating what to teach him next, Marty coughed.  I've heard him cough once or twice before in the last two weeks.  I wondered if he had some sharp points on his teeth because it happened when he was eating.  This time, however, he had a little opaque discharge droplet in his nose.  It could be allergies, but it could also be shipping fever.  I'll call our vet for a visit tomorrow.  I'll also use a syringe filled with applesauce tonight to get him used to receiving meds by mouth, if they are required.  I'm not worried about anything more sinister.  BLM animals are screened quite well before leaving the West.  

The burros are really coming along well.  We're very happy with our new additions.  

Wild Hooves

 Marty and JJ are sharing the big paddock and they seem to have bonded.  We can halter them easily and they come into their stall to see us whenever we enter the barn.  Marty has a squeaky, breathy, warm-up to greet us (not a full bray, yet).  I can tell by the shavings on the their backs that they're using the stall and enjoying themselves.  Tonight, they ate a few treats and their vitamins from individual pans.  I hung some saddle blankets on the half wall that faces the barn aisle so they could explore them on their own.  They also have a toy that hangs down with a big ball on the end and a salt lick.  Both burros are playing with it.  We'll get them more toys soon.  

Now that their housing situation is settled, their training has made improvements as well.  They do seem to watch and learn from each other.  I brough JJ out first to groom.  He let me pick out both front hooves and treat them for thrush (he had a mild case brewing).  I can touch his back legs, but burros have a strong kicking response to anything pulling on their back legs.  So, I used a very soft rope to loop around his back leg, right above the hoof, to get him used to picking up the foot without me bending over and risking a kick.  He kicked out repeatedly.  As soon as he held it still, I loosened my hold so he could put his foot down.  Then, I told him, "up" and pulled his foot up again.  We did this until he let me lift his hoof with the rope, without kicking out.  Then, I used my hand down his leg to do the same thing.  He did graze my arm a few times, but he finally settled and let me hold it without kicking out.  Lots of praise and then on to the other leg.  He did well.  Tomorrow, I will see how he feels before I decide if I need to use the rope again.  With the other donkeys, I never did, but buirros had to rely on their back legs to defend themselves against real threats to life and limb.  

JJ and I walked around the farm a bit and saw some new sights.  I started working on trotting in hand with him.  He is still a little vague on that, but I know he'll catch on soon.  When we got back to the barn, I used the rubber curry comb on him, which he enjoys quite a bit.  He did really well today.  He's come a long way.  

Next, Marty came out for some grooming.  I tied him up for the first time, but he didn't really react.  He tugged a bit, played with the rope, and then looked around for me.  He let me briefly pick up both front feet and run my hands down his back legs.  Our son is teaching him to wiggle his lips for treats.  He will do anything for food.  Marty is going to be fun to trick train.  

Vet Check

 Jeremiah has a little rash on his shoulders and neck from either a skin condition developing, or he was irritation from flies enough to rub some hair off.  There are only two small patches, but since our vet was out anyway, she looked him over.  He has not interacted with anyone but me and our son, John.  My husband hasn't even petted either burro, yet.  JJ was a little stressed, but, overall, he accepted the vet and her topical medicines.  Marty rooted him on from their shared paddock.  

After evening chores, we noticed that Marty wasn't letting JJ into the stall.  The doorway is narrow enough that he can keep him out.  Another problem to solve.

Marty was very good today.  I put his halter on, gave him a treat, and then removed his halter several times easily.  JJ is also easy to catch.  That was the last obstacle to moving them into their permanent paddock with the twelve foot entrance to the stall.  This will prevent Marty from keeping JJ out.  

The move was easy for JJ because he's regularly tied in the aisle, but Marty did stop to look around.  Their new paddock is next to the road.  We watched them to make sure the occasional passing car wasn't bothering them.  They stood on either side of their feeder just munching away.  

It just began to rain pretty hard outside and we expect a decent temperature drop tonight.  It's nice to know they have both shelter that they can share.  

Burro Buddies

 Jeremiah was a pro this morning.  I brought him out of his stall, tied him up, picked his front feet out, ran my hand down both back legs, brushed him thoroughly, and then we went on our walk.  This time, we went around behind the house to avoid the burro-eating cow.  Our walk took us through fresh puddles, too big to jump over, which was a great opportunity to teach him to trust me.  I'm sure after the bovine blockade yesterday, there are little doubts floating around in his donkey mind as to my reliability to recognize danger.  After all, this is Florida.  There could be gators prowling in any body of water.  So, JJ balked as we approached the puddle.  I patiently waited as he assessed the situation.  

The puddle:

What JJ saw:

Patience prevailed!  JJ entered the water, without insisting on a life preserver or a shotgun, and we made it safely to the other side.  On the way to the round pen, he walked past the back deck, bags of mulch, and even chickens and did quite well.  

Once we reached the round pen, we worked on backing up.  While this is natural when a burro is scared, the idea of doing it on purpose is a little foreign.  He gave me a few quizzical looks, as if asking "Why not just  turn around so we can see where we're going?"  We also practiced walking around the cones, once I convinced him that they weren't alien life forms waiting to attack innocent donkey legs.  He calmly walked over a pole on the ground and we headed back the way we came.  He was much better about the puddle the second time.  When we returned to the barn,. I sprayed him with fly spray and let him go back into his stall.  Well done, JJ, well done.  

As soon as a I had another break, I went out to work with Marty.  Our son gave him a very good introduction to people.  He walks right up to you when you enter his pen.  He loves being petted and played with.  I introduced him to brushing, which he really enjoyed, and he let me put my hands on his face, even next to his eyes.  I snapped on the lead rope easily and led him around the pen.  It was starting to rain again, and I felt bad about the lack of shelter.  Plus, Marty's hooves are on soft ground all the time and I'm certain he needs some hoof care.  I decided to hit fast forward a little and move him into JJ's paddock.  We put rock down last spring, which really helps keep their feet clean and tough.  I opened one of the panels and Marty just followed me out.  He led easily to JJ's paddock.  JJ was interested, but not afraid.  They do know each other from being shipped and housed together for several weeks.  Their reunion was uneventful.  JJ immediately followed the older burro around.  I'm hoping Marty helps JJ feel more comfortable.  I dragged Marty's hay feeder into the paddock as well.  There's also a tub to eat from in the stall.  Eventually, I will move them to the biggest paddock in the barn with an open, three sided stall, but that will have to wait until Marty can be haltered easily.  I'm also a little nervous about that paddock because it's next to the road.  It's not a busy road, but it is a lot to take in.  JJ is comfortable in the paddock, so we'll do one step at a time.  

The burros both look much more relaxed together.  

Scary Cow

 Our training session began with grooming, including using a hoof pick on both front hooves (briefly).  JJ was on a roll!  We went for another walk around the farm, which he does seem to enjoy.  This time, we wound our way around the trees in the front yard to the other side of the house, where there is a big open area all the way back to the round pen.  I had a few cones and a small jump in the round pen set up from when we rode the horses earlier.  As we were walking in that direction, past the horse pasture...

(Fiona the cow)  Hang on!  I want to tell this part of the story!  

(Me)  Fine.  Go ahead, Fiona.  Troublemaker.

(Fiona the cow)  The oppression of cattle began long, long ago....

(Me)  Oh brother!

(Fiona)  Ahem.  Anyway, horses were eventually brought in as co-conspirators to be used against all of cowdom.  But the insult of insults was when they turned the donkeys against us.  Our brethren in that little stable, alongside the King of Kings, had always been a kindred spirit.  Neither one appreciated for its labor.  Both the ox and the donkey were called slow and lazy.  I cannot tell you how much it pained me when that donkey jenny came to our farm and TEASED us.  She romped and played while pinning her big ears and making faces!  It was terrifying!  We had gotten along perfectly well with the other donkeys that had shared our pasture on occasion (though they were usually in the barn with the horses).  See, that really was the issue.  She associated too much with HORSES, which every cow knows harbor a serious grudge against all of cowdom.  Why?  You ask?  It's because horses claim that they have to do all the labor while we get to graze all day.  Petty!  But, I digress...

Yesterday, while minding my own business, I noticed one of the humans (the one that gives treats and pokes us with needles "for our own good") was walking with a young donkey.  The donkey was giving us nervous looks.  SInce I remember all too well, the vicious attack against our peace by Rosie the donkey, I was understandably wary.  They were on the other side of the fence, but, still, Rosie's actions cut deep, I tell you.  So, I snorted.  A warning to my daughter and half sister.  The donkey's eyes grew big, so, feeling the sweet tickle of revenge, I snorted again.  The donkey looked up and I got a surprised look from the human.  After that, it was easy.  I threw my marvelous head and kicked up my happy heels in a graceful bovine ballet towards the fenceline.  The results were spectacular!  The donkey bolted and the human let go.  Then, the human yelled at ME!  As if years of oppression by Rosie hadn't even happened.  The human fetched the donkey and tried again.  I did more of a modern dance routine this time with the same result.  The donkey was fetched, again, and turned out in the round pen.  The human went inside to get the boy.  They came into the pasture and we followed them into our pen, expecting some congratulations or acknowledgment of our justifiable desire to get even. Or, at least some food.  Nope.  THEY LOCKED US IN!  Then, the human fetched the donkey and they walked back to the horse barn.  No more dancing with donkeys today.  Oh, but I have the sweet, sweet memories to carry me through the dark, cold night...

(Me)  Cold?  This is Florida.  

(Fiona)  Do not interrupt, human.  I'm having a moment here.  I must get word to cowdom everywhere to notch one up for the poor, har-assed cow.  

(Me)  Nice pun.

(Fiona)  Thank you.

(Me)  Okay, so, the guest blogger, our Dexter cow, Fiona, explained why poor JJ now thinks cows are carnivorous.  We got through it and he trusted me to lead him back past the pasture (although with Fiona locked up away from the fence).  Since we have a perimeter fence around our farm, I opted to let him bolt, rather than suffer ropes burns.  We will have to get past that.  I did some tight circles with him after we returned to the barn, which I can hopefully use, when he tries to bolt again.  

A Good Training Day

 Jeremiah showed some faith in me today.  Again, I tied him in the aisle and did some brushing.  I worked on moving back and forth behind him and reaching for his front hooves.  He moved away when I bent over facing away from him, (in the proper position to pick up his hoof).  I realized that this view was different for him, so we stopped there and I practiced bending over next to him (on both sides) to help him adjust to seeing a human like that.  We've noticed that both burros are worried about humans crouching, or bending.  While a dog is less intimidated when you squat down, burros have the opposite reaction.  It's intuitive with a little thought: Predators crouch before attacking.  After touching my toes on each side several times, JJ relaxed.  I ran my hand down his back legs as well.  I also found little bites on his chest that I scratched while he wiggled his lips slightly.  He tolerated the fly spray tonight, which will help with those bites.  

The things we take for granted with horses become so clear when working with a wild burro.  Going through a gate and turning around to shut it, for example.  Many horses see this as foals and accept it as a normal occurrence in their world.  To a wild burro, this is strange and scary.  He needs to time to study the opening of a path and the closing of that path behind him.  I'm slowly introducing Jeremiah to an entirely new world.  

Marty also had a good day.  We fitted him with a better halter using the panel chute I described before.  Again, we were patient and made sure he accepted each step, rather than using force.  I clipped the lead rope and opened up the panel to let him get used to dragging the rope.  He did not react as JJ did, but took a few steps and then stopped.  I worked with him using gentle pressure and asking for the smallest turn of his head to begin with.  We progressed to some leading fairly quickly.  He is calmer and quicker to accept things than JJ.  We decided that he will be the star Nativity burro this December for our son's school.  As such, his halter is Advent purple.  

Both burros are really making strides now.  Though different in personality, we enjoy them both.  

Jeremiah

Martin

Standing Tied and a Goat

 Today was a bit different.  Nancy the goat is a six year old dairy goat.  When we brought her home as a newly weaned bottle baby, she shared a pen with the pony and the donkey.  She was especially close to the donkey.  She kept him out of trouble and he complained if his goat left him alone.  Later, when we found a great home for that donkey, she was the companion of a weaned baby donkey (Rosie) until she also found a lovely home.  We eventually moved Nancy in with two young goats for company.  In addition, she has sheep for company.  Nancy must miss her donkeys, however, because while our son was moving her from the pasture back into their pen, she broke away and ran across the yard to the horse barn.  The pasture gate was open, so she walked right up to Marty's pen.  Marty showed some territorial behaviors, (swinging his head moving towards the corral panels quickly) so I led her over to JJ's paddock fence.  JJ was unsure at first, but Nancy stretched her head through the fence in an effort to meet him.  He obliged her by touching noses several times.  I don't think he knows what to think of her, but he seemed intrigued.  I left Nancy to graze outside his pen for awhile.  When she returned she was outside of Marty's pen, so I took her back home.  She can duck under the panels and I don't think that would be safe for her.  JJ has a new friend, though.

JJ wanted to come out and play today.  I gave him lots of attention and pieces of carrot for being good about haltering and leading.  I did manage to tie him up to a post in the barn aisle.  It was his first time being tied to anything.  I made sure the aisle was clear, gave him room, and let him figure it out.  He threw his head a few times, leaned back, and tried a few different angles.  That was it.  That's is pretty typical for donkeys.  Not much fuss.  

Once he quieted down, I moved behind him from one side to the other several times, staying close to his body so he couldn't get a full kick.  He never offered to kick and happily took his carrot piece when I reached his head on each side.  I brushed him and introduced the rubber curry.  He enjoyed the new grooming tool.  We went for a walk after that.  Ralph the barn cat made an appearance and JJ lowered his head and pulled towards him.  The cat ran, which made JJ happy.  I'm not sure how he views domestic cats.  He was reactive to Ralph the first time he saw him.  Does he wonder to himself,"Is it a little mountain lion?"   His curiosity is much better than the apprehension or fear he had the first week.  

He enjoyed browsing on some shrubs in the yard before returning to the barn.  He was a little more adventurous during our walk today.  We haven't worked on any real obstacles, but all farms are full of new things to look at and walk past.  I'm very happy with his progress.  My plan is to tie him up twice per day and go out and feed him treats several more times than that, so if I make him apprehensive, I hope the treats will refresh him.

A Little Rule

JJ enjoys his carrots and likes to be scratched, but he was also beginning to express his desire to not be haltered by turning his hindquarters towards me when I approach.  It was a subtle threat.  No kicking at all (I don't push him).  However, this is rude.  The best way to correct this is to encourage him to move his hindquarters away when he does this.  The lead rope didn't work, so I used a short whip with a 6 inch tail to flick towards his hindquarters.  No contact was necessary as these burros are moved around with a similar length stick (with plastic on the end) at the BLM facility.  I moved his hind end away using the whip twice.  The third time I approached, he did not move.  

We worked on picking up the front feet today.  He wants to step backwards when I reach for his hoof.  I tried holding the lead rope behind my back and forward while I picked up his hoof with some success, but I think this lesson is harder to teach him while holding the lead rope.  Today, I will tie his lead rope to a post in the aisle.  I suspect he will understand how to stand tied pretty quickly.  He has had a version of this already.  Sometimes, donkeys will hold their position stretched out with the halter taut.  I use a treat to ask them to step forward and find relief.  There is usually not nearly the amount of drama that there is for horses.  We shall see. 

Marty's training will focus entirely on catching and tying to the tree in his pen.  I can smell his hooves, so I need to prioritize standing tied and picking feet as the main training goals.  Our son has been doing well with approaching and petting.  He took his halter off yesterday because we were worried it would rub his head.  I will make a chute out of panels, if necessary, to halter him.  

Marty was more determined to turn his hindquarters towards our son every time he approached him.  I did the same lesson with him as with JJ, using the short whip to ask him to move his hindquarters away when we approach.  It took several more times, but he understood and allowed our son to approach him many times.  His reward was the removal of his halter (although that may not be understood as such).  

Our burros are over most of their fear and now they are asking their own questions.  This is when they are testing their methods of communication to express their wishes.  This is an important stage because we need to give them the right answers, without frightening them, and show them the rewards of cooperating with us.  The bonding process is at the somewhat friendly level at this stage, but we need to prove that interaction is better than being left alone.   

A Better Day

 After yesterday, I knew JJ needed an easy day today.  We worked on getting used to the halter again.  He let me pick up both front feet.  Then, he was spoiled.  I rubbed his shoulders, sides, and back.  I scratched all the itchy places on his head, neck, and chest.  I think it relaxed him a little.  After a good rubdown, I removed his halter and pet him some more (always conscious of a bad habit developing if an equine learns to bolt when they are unhaltered).  

Somehow, I triggered his self-preservation response and I thought the best way to counter that was to be low key today.  He was a good boy and stood closer to me than usual.  He also approached me several times.  

It's about communication.  I missed something yesterday, or maybe watching the farrier worried him.  Whatever it was, I had to listen and find a way to reassure him.  

Meanwhile, Marty, who is a very mellow burro, allowed our son to put fly spray on him and pet him all over, for the second day in a row.  I also rubbed his should a little this morning when he came up to me.  He is older and definitely less spooky than JJ.  I can't wait until both are trained well enough to be in the paddock together.  

Sometimes I look at these two creatures and imagine them taking care of themselves in the wild.  They have so much knowledge already.  It's amazing how well they are adapting.  Just about everything we are asking of them is completely foreign.  These little victories mean so much more when everything is taken into perspective.  

Backtracking

 Jeremiah had a day off Thursday and then we made some great progress Friday morning.  I picked up both of his front feet and held them for a second, we walked around the farm a little more, and he even let me allowed me to fly spray his legs.  Things were going well.  

In the afternoon, the farrier came by to trim everyone's hooves.  He had an assistant with him who was a bit boisterous and spoke loudly.  JJ spooked at him a few times.  I didn't think much of it, but perhaps that caused an issue today.  

I went to work with JJ this evening, despite the spitting rain and cooler temperatures.  I was dressed differently than I usually do, but more like I might dress at a horse show, so I thought it would be good for JJ to see that. Unfortunately, he seemed apprehensive of me and did not want to be haltered.  I spent a lot of time doing advance and retreat, while rewarding any movement towards me by walking away.  Eventually, he allowed me to rub him with the halter and lead rope and hold the halter under his head, as if I was going to halter him, without moving away.  I also spent a lot of time petting and scratching him.  I stopped there and called it a day.  These things happen for unknown reasons, but if you don't back up and re-do your homework, it might always be a struggle.  

Today was a reminder that this is a wild animal that I am asking a lot of and he needs time to adjust to his new life.  

Meanwhile, Marty approached me several times while I was cleaning his pen.  When I finished cleaning, I scratched him for awhile.  

Training Happens All The Time

 Jeremiah had a day off yesterday due to some personal business and the heavy rain from Tropical Storm Sally.  So, in the meantime, I'll go over one aspect of his training I don't think I mentioned.

The first morning Jeremiah arrived, I lined up the corral panels to create a chute he could walk through form the trailer into his pen.  He moved cautiously and picked the corner furthest from me, as any prey animal would.  Throughout the day, I peeked out at him through the back door window or glanced at him as I walked to the barn to attend to the horses.  He remained on full alert.  He was tense and nervous.  His eyes wide and apprehensive.  His nose taking in the new smells and sounds, his head high, and his ears flicking back and forth.  This was the moment when I could most likely frighten him.  I thought the best thing for him would be to establish a routine right away.  I also had cleaning to do in his pen, beginning after evening feeding.  

I clean the stalls and paddocks twice per day.  It helps me spot trouble early (less poop than normal, watery, dry, etc...) and interact with the horses to check on their well-being.  I need to be able to enter their pen, or stall, without spooking them, and scoop using the manure fork, sometimes close to their hooves.  In fact, our horses let us scoop under their bellies without batting an eye.  

To decide how to establish this with a wild burro, I thought about all the things that are most likely to upset him when I step into his 20 foot by 30 foot training pen.  The list includes directly looking into his eyes, waving arms, moving fast, moving towards him, getting behind him, the manure fork itself, and any loud noises.  With that in mind, I entered with the manure fork close to my body, looked at the ground, moved in straight, predictable routes, and gave him as much room as possible to move away while I was going after one of his poop piles.  Over the next few days, he understood that when I entered while looking towards him and talking to him, it was a training session, but if I entered looking at the ground (for poops) this was not a time he would be asked to do anything.  Though watchful, he quickly relaxed in my presence twice per day for cleaning.  This was ideal because these short cleaning sessions gave him the opportunity to study me without me looking at him or making him too nervous.  He could get used to the way I moved and the way I spoke quietly to him.  Over time, he no longer worried about the manure fork I carried and I always gave him plenty of time to move before I picked up a pile near him.  I didn't think of it as training, but it was!  It taught him more about me than I realized.  

During his day off yesterday, when I cleaned his paddock, he approached me and reached his head out. He clearly wanted attention, so I stopped what I was doing and scratched him for a few minutes.  When he was satisfied, I went back to work.  This was the first time he felt brave enough to solicit attention.  This is big for JJ.  He is the shyest donkey I have ever worked with.  It's no surprise he chose a cleaning moment to do it.  This is his safe time.  

This morning was another step.  I always park the wheelbarrow in the same place in his paddock, just outside the stall, but not blocking the doorway, so he can exit the stall before I clean.  This is what he has been doing ever since I moved him into the stall/paddock.  But today, he chose to keep eating in his stall, so I quietly worked around him in the stall, always ensuring he could leave, if he wanted.  I was closer to his hooves than I have ever been with the manure fork and I even walked behind him briefly.  

Now, I really appreciate how important these little twice per day house-cleaning tasks are for training.  It's helped him become more comfortable with me. Soon, he will be as relaxed as the horses.  He might even become like our son's gelding where I have to practically wake him up to ask him to move his foot so I can get all of the pile he's standing on.  In fact, the other donkeys we've had were notorious for garnering attention during cleaning time.  They would move between us and the wheelbarrow to insist on scratches.  Our first donkey even knocked the wheelbarrow over, if he could!   He thought it was very amusing.  Perhaps they wonder why it's so important to us to collect their droppings!

The Meeting

 After thoroughly grooming my horse, right where JJ could watch, I put her back in her stall and brought JJ into the barn aisle.  We worked with the brush and the fly spray.  JJ also took a treat from our son and allowed him to pet him.  This was a big step for him.  He's learning that there is more than one person in the world ready to be kind to him.  Then we walked past the other stalls and around the corner of the barn to Marty's pen.  There was no dramatic expression of emotions, but they seemed to recognize each other as travelling companions.  Then, JJ took and I took a walk around the farm.  He was not interested in grass, but preferred to browse on small tree branches, (I had to keep him away from my fig and mulberry trees).  He especially liked the wax myrtle.  He was extremely efficient at biting and chewing up the small branches.  It was easy to picture him back in Nevada chewing on the white sage and needlegrass.  

I'm still working on finding a properly fitting halter for him.  His halter training was done with a rope halter, but I'd like to find a more comfortable flat buckle halter for him.  I have seen horses pull back and loosen a properly tied rope halter, plus, for long hikes, we'll want something that isn't as thin and harsh.  He might fit a yearling halter. I'll try that tomorrow.  Of course, with halter changes, he is a bit more apprehensive, but it just gives me a chance to reinforce his training.  I went back to the approach and retreat method a little to introduce the shiny, new halter to him.  He accepted it quickly.  At no time did I insist or try to trap him with the lead rope or halter.  I think that's important when training a wild burro.  

I'll back up a little and explain, in more detail, how we approached JJ's halter training and what we're using on Marty as well (our son spent much more time petting him this morning).  

We approach and retreat while looking for signs of tolerance from the burro.  The idea is to approach, which puts pressure on him, and then at the slightest discomfort, turn away and retreat from him, to take the pressure off.  We approach them at the shoulder, and give the hind end plenty of room.  If we push too hard, they will move their hind end towards us, which would be a fail moment.  After many, many tries, the burro will eventually allow us to touch his shoulder.  With our two boys, it seems that they will allow touching on the shoulders, back, hips, and neck, long before they allow the head to be touched.  Just as Rome wasn't built in a day; we don't rush them.  It seems better to do daily, or twice daily, short, sessions.  An old cowboy once told me to watch for them to make chewing motions towards the end of the session.  He said that means they are thinking about it.  That seems like a good place to hold steady where you are and end on a good note.  I think they appreciate getting the chance to think things over.  Processing it overnight seems to help, with the harder portions.  If we did the session right, they will be ready for a new element the next day.  This is how we try to train at the burro's pace, rather than our own timeline.  It certainly seems to lower the risk of being kicked, or actually scaring the poor burro.  Their world has been turned upside down.  They need time to adjust.  I'm certain there are other ways to train faster and more effectively, but this seems to be working for us.

Walking around the farm with JJ was a big step and one that I've really been looking forward to.  That's the crux of what we want to do with our long eared friends.  We have trails we can walk to from our farm and beautiful state parks in our state with equestrian trails.  That's what we do instead of expensive theme parks.  We like to be on the trails with our beloved pets, be they dogs, goats, horses, or burros.  

Settling In

 Tropical Storm Sally is moving away from us, so our skies are overcast, but not rainy.  We'll see if the weather holds.   I took advantage of the drier weather to do a good training session with Jeremiah this morning.  

The last few days, I have done short sessions with Jeremiah because he was still getting used to the move into the barn.  Yesterday, he rolled and napped in the shavings inside his stall.  He is also going in and out freely to eat his hay and get out of the rain.  

Whenever you train, you need a goal.  Sometimes, especially for us novice trainers, those goals change as the session goes on.  With more rainy days in the future, I wanted him to be comfortable with the inside of the barn (which is very different from anything a wild burro has seen), so my rough outline of goals were to walk him through the door from his stall to the barn, work with his feet a little, and attempt to fly spray his legs (he has little rough areas where the flies are getting him).  

JJ was amazing!  We walked back and forth next to the other stalls and he stopped to look at several things inside the barn.  He picked up both front feet for me (I did not hold onto them, yet), and he let me fly spray his legs (prime fly feeding zone on donkeys).  He likes being touched on his shoulders and neck the most, but he also let me hug him.  He was nervous about many of the new experiences, especially the fly spray, but he trusted me.  As a reward, I took him out for a little hand grazing and shared a carrot with him.  

To appropriately reflect the burros roots as the companions of prospectors, their formal names are Jeremiah Jack (JJ) and Martin McBray (Marty).  They sound like a couple of old prospectors themselves!

Marty's training is going a bit faster already.  Our son already pet him on both shoulders this morning.

Second Burro

 When we signed up to do this TIP Challenge, we originally wanted two burros, but only one was available.  However, one burro was returned and since we were still interested in getting a companion for Jeremiah (burros do better in pairs) I picked him up this morning.  We are calling him Marty, but that might change as we get to know him better.  He is reported to be very food motivated ('a piglet' is actually how we was described) and pretty easy going.  He is 11 years old and from Yuma, Arizona.  His color is called 'burro pink' by the BLM.  He also has a star on his forehead.  

It's hard to believe this guy was passed over for adoption too many times.  He was directly sold as a sale authority burro, which means he could be resold.  However, our plan is to keep both burros.  

Since I'm busy with JJ, our son will start training Marty, with supervision.   

He was moved into JJ's old training pen while JJ watched with interest from the barn.  Once he is halter trained, they can be together.  I love the contrast between the two burros.  JJ is 12 hands and Marty is 13 hands, so both are good sized burros.

Poor JJ had no training session this morning because I had to go pick up Marty.  I hope he isn't jealous.  I'll work with him after chores tonight.

Jeremiah's New Home

 We made it to the paddock this morning!  He has access to a stall now and a paddock with a rock base, which should help his hooves toughen back up.  He did well walking over.  We took our time and I let him graze a little.  Tropical Storm Sally has some outer bands dumping a lot of rain on us, so I'm glad he has a dry place to get in, when he's ready.  I placed some hay inside the stall and some at the entrance.  What a good boy!

The Outside World

 We missed our morning session because the rain came down in heavy spurts.  As I looked out the window at poor, soaking JJ, I planned a way to move him from his pen into the barn so he could have better shelter.  The tree in his current paddock provides great shade, but it can't stop these soaking rains.

The solution was to get him ready to lead outside the pen.  His pen is next to the horse paddocks, which are adjacent to the barn.  It's actually set up in a small pasture that has a gate leading into the paddocks.  JJ's future home is easily accessible, but it does require him to walk through the small pasture on the lead. 

He allowed me to halter him easily again and I started with leading him a few steps at a time around his paddock.  Then. my son opened the gate and, after several minutes, JJ mustered up the courage to step outside.  We slowly made our way along the outside of his pen.  I gave him an occasional carrot treat.  He is beginning to show more personality as he wiggled his lips towards me hoping for more carrots.  At some point, he will probably nip and I will probably scare him a little to make sure he knows he can't do that.  It's perfectly normal behavior in a herd of burros, but human skin is more fragile.  

He also reached down for a few swipes at the tall grass as we walked.  I didn't discourage it, nor encourage it, but quietly urged him on.  About halfway to our destination, the sky poured down again.  He looked at me a little apprehensively the further we moved from his sanctuary.  I sensed that he had enough for the day, so we gradually worked our way back towards his pen.  I was really hoping to move him tonight, but it's more important to move at the appropriate pace.

We made some great progress, but JJ also demonstrated his intelligence.  A few days ago, I led both my horse and the pony individually into the same area to show JJ.  I let both graze a bit before taking them back to their stalls.  My motive was to let JJ see halters and lead ropes on others before I asked to put one on him.  Donkeys can learn by example.  One of the first things JJ tried to do when we moved outside of his pen was to graze.  Hand grazing is very useful for equines to know, so we will take a little side trip and learn this while getting him more comfortable with leading and moving him towards his new home in the barn.  I teach the horses a visual cue to tell them when it's okay to graze and I say "heads up", when we're done.  It's important to control the start and stop to keep your horse focused.  We'll start on that tomorrow.

My birthday is coming up.  My present is a burro sized, neoprene, pack saddle.  It's actually a burro racing saddle for competitions out West (indigenous sport in the Colorado mountains).  We won't be heading out there to race, but they make lightweight, comfy pack saddles specifically for donkeys.  It will come in handy for taking JJ on our family hikes and camping trips.  

Breakthrough

Yesterday evening went much better.  He took several more steps and seemed more at ease with the lead rope.  I removed his halter quietly and petted him for awhile to encourage him to stick around after the halter came off.  It was a good end to the day.  

When I went out to work with JJ this morning, I started by setting up the wedge and preparing to move him in to halter him.  He balked at it and gave me a quiet, appraising look.  So, I draped the loops of lead rope over his neck (no reaction) and haltered him easily.  What a good boy!  He got a chunk of carrot for his efforts.  I also petted him for awhile as a reward. We did a few steps on the lead and then he let me rub his forehead several times.  Things were going so well that I ended the session early.  His halter remained on for the evening session, but he can go back to relaxing and finishing his breakfast now.  

He has a much quieter look in his eyes than he did before.  He is interacting more, rather than simply tolerating me.   When I attempted to move him into the wedge, his look seemed to say 'trust me', so I did.  I think he's teaching me as much as I'm teaching him.  

Leading

My goal yesterday was to halter JJ.  That proved to be a little more difficult than I thought it would be.  While he let me touch him with the halter, I could see that putting it on was going to be challenge for the afternoon session.  Instead of potentially frightening him into moving away, which could set that up as a pattern, I decided to use corral panels to move him into a small space where I could train him without allowing him to avoid me.  By positioning two panels in the corner of his paddock, so that they formed a wedge, he could neither turn around or kick me, but he could move his head and body away to let me know if I was pushing him too hard.  It also allowed me to work with him through the panel, which was safer for me, should he react suddenly.  Once he was in there, I didn't rush the process.  I continued to take my time and reassure him.  After about ten minutes, he allowed me to halter him without trying to move his head away.  Once he was out of the wedge, I scratched him a bit and left him alone to get used to the halter.  

This morning, I showed him the lead rope carefully and then clipped it on with little trouble and we started the rudimentaries of leading.  At first, he was unsure of the long skinny thing that was attached to him, so I dropped the lead rope and let him drag it for a few moments, to get used to the sight of it.  Soon enough, he stopped and I picked it up and showed it to him, again.  Once he relaxed, I began to pull gently on the lead to look for a movement of his head towards my direction.  Once he responded to that pressure, I asked for a step.  He moved out at the trot on his own few times and I kept the rope slack at this point.  All I was looking for was him to give into pressure.  The pressure I used was the same type I do with calves; steady until I get a response, and then slacking up as a reward.  After some good responses, I unclipped the lead rope and fed him a carrot.  After this afternoon's leading lesson, I'll remove his halter for the night.  I'll use the wedge as long as it's needed to halter him.  

I'm very happy with his progress so far.  I have heard about others making quicker progress with bolder burros, but JJ has a different personality.  He is not bold, nor particularly brave, but he thinks about things a lot and has never shown any aggression towards me.  While some burros have been braying to ask for their breakfast already, JJ is silent.  He is also so careful about taking treats that I don't have to worry much about him becoming pushy.  He has a quiet personality.  It may take longer to gain his trust, but it will be worth it.  I also think his personality would do best with another burro.  We have already considered doing that, either the next time a BLM auction comes to our area, or through another TIP Challenge.  Burros are social animals and they need the companionship of another burro.  We did try to adopt two, but they were in high demand.  

Picking up the Pace

We did two sessions already this morning and I gave him a lot to think about.  He'll have a long rest before we do another this afternoon.    

I moved him around in both directions using a small piece of rope.  I rubbed it over his shoulders before we started and showed it to him again after to ensure he was not afraid of it.  We worked on the commands "walk" and "whoa".  He is still awkward moving to the right compared to the left.  Consequently, I spent more time with him going to the right.  He did shut down at one point, which I patiently worked through by asking the same thing in the same way until he responded, then moved onto something else quickly.  The shut down was probably due his basic donkey sense wondering why we were doing the same thing, yet again.  Burros and donkeys are like gifted students; they always want to know why.   

I also spent a lot of time petting him, showing him the halter, and touching him with it.  He did very well.  Over the weekend, I removed the nylon halter that was put on him in the chute during pick up, because this week was predicted to be quite rainy and it would likely rub him raw when it became wet and heavy.  It was a poor fit anyway, so I used a different halter to show him today.  He tolerated it very well, going so far as to let the noseband touch his nose.  I hope to be able to put the halter on and off by the end of the week. 

Donkeys and ponies can learn by example, according to research, and many of us that have been around them for awhile can attest to that (I think ponies tend to study bad habits a bit more..hehehe).  With that in mind, I have been tying the horses and pony where JJ can see them when I do grooming sessions.  Today, I walked both my Mustang and our Shetland Pony out to the grass next to JJ's paddock to see if he was curious about them, yet.  He still showed some fear, so we stayed back.  He was more comfortable with the pony, probably because she's smaller than him.  

I've increased both the length and number of training sessions because I need to get to where I can lead him and move into the paddock/stall combination in the barn relatively soon.  With all of the rain, he is danger of developing thrush and/or rain rot if I don't move him to the next level.  I also need to consider the fact that we're in prime hurricane season and he will need shelter if one approaches.  You can't rush donkey time, but by increasing the sessions, I hope to arrive at the same place a bit sooner.  

Both Sides

 Equines have an unusual quirk in their brain structures.  The parts of the their brains that process the visual images received by by their eyes are not fully connected.  That's why a trail horse will often spook at the same object twice; once on the way out and then again, on the way back.  The best way to deal with this is to make sure both eyes look at the spooky object.  With a little imagination, you can guess why this might actually work to their advantage.  For an animal that needs to be alert for predators, dismissing an object easily would work against them in the wild.

This also means that we need to work with equines equally on each side during training.  Sometimes, we skip this step, or hurry, and that results in unevenness.  I'm already thinking about this with Jeremiah.  I first pet him on his left (near) side.  He seems to prefer that I approach him on that side.  I doubt there is any trouble with his vision.  I think this is just a quirk or natural unevenness he developed.  When the animals are moved around in holding pens, it is likely that the handlers are right handed and move them from right to left (facing their left sides).  That could be the simple explanation.  So, I have been trying to even up the offside with the near side by focusing on spending as much time petting both sides of him.  We have made great progress last night and this morning.  I can touch his shoulders, neck all the way to his ears, cheeks, upper legs, back, and sides.  He takes pieces of carrot very carefully from my hand now.  This morning, while I was standing next to him, he turned his head towards me several times.  Best of all, he seemed to be waiting for me for both his breakfast and when I returned later for training.  

Carrots and Scratches

 9/7/2020

The smothering blanket of high humidity lifted a little as winds from the Northeast passed in overnight.  Everyone felt better this morning.  

Jay (JJ, Jeremiah) is becoming more accustomed to the routine.  He watched as I fed the barn horses and then brought him his flake of hay (plus, a few oats and minerals in a bucket).  He enjoys the minerals, but isn't showing any interest in the handful of oats.  

Next, I cleaned the stalls.  I do this twice per day because it keeps the bugs down.  He has been alert when I climb over the corral panels to scoop his pen, but this morning, he grazed.  He knows that isn't training time.  I left him to eat his breakfast in peace for an hour or so.   

When I returned, I had a few, small carrots.  He took them from my outstretched hand cautiously and I backed off while he enjoyed his first treat.  I left the third one on his hay.  

Next, I approached him for scratches.  He was easier to approach and seemed to enjoy it for the first time.  He reached down and grazed a bit while I scratched his back.  He likes the area around and below his ears scratched.  I left after a good scratching session.  It was good to see him happier today.  

Ready for the Rain

 Jeremiah watched a bit forlornly this morning as the horses and pony he barely knew were led out of the barn to the pasture.  He could catch glimpses of them in the pasture around the buildings, but their absence seemed to worry him.  He has not even touched noses with the horses, (his HMA has only burros; no wild horses).  However, he has no doubt become familiar with them in his years at the holding facilities.  

He has not brayed, which is not unusual.  A wild burro has every reason to hold his tongue when he is unsure of his surroundings.  The day his bray echoes through our farm will be a good day.  We hope to add another burro to our farm eventually.  That will be better for both.  

After an extensive scratching session, he trusted me to touch his head enough to remove the halter.  He looked at me brightly when it was gone.  Almost a thank you.  

Finding a treat he enjoys will help with training.  I dropped a bit of carrot on his hay this morning,  He ate it.   

This afternoon, I used a sheep hoof trimmer to neatly cut his BLM cord off of his neck.  He has worn that ever since he was processed into the holding facility, so it will be quite a change.  They are useful in quickly identifying animals in holding, but he has a family and a name now, so he doesn't need it. I hope he sleeps well tonight.

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First Touch 9/5/2020

 It hasn't been 24 hours yet since JJ came home, but he is doing very well.  I gently moved him around with just the minimum pressure (me walking towards his hind end) and used the words Walk and Whoa until he knew what I was asking.  It's too hot to do much and donkeys hate to be drilled.  When he was stopped, I practiced moving towards him and retreating towards his shoulder until he could tolerate me almost touching him.  I kept it up without touching him until he didn't flinch his shoulder as if a fly were about to land.  Then, I reached out and touched before retreating.  I did that several times until he tolerated longer scratches along his withers.  I repeated the lesson in the evening, but added touching his other shoulder.  He is not ready for anything else, yet.  At this point, we will rest here.  I will continue the lessons and try to build trust at this level.  I don't want to lead him or push him in any way until he is not just tolerating, but receptive.  

Rain is coming tomorrow.  His nylon halter will be a heavy, wet burden likely to rub his head.  HIs nylon neck cord will also rub him in the heavy rains.  My simple goal tomorrow will be to remove them.  He is not ready for leading, yet, and if I can touch him, I can train him.

Jeremiah Was Not Just a Bullfrog

 The name of a place can be descriptive of the terrain, animals, or plants to be found there.  When one mentions the Nevada desert a lot of animals come to mind, but I will admit that a bullfrog is not high on the list.  Nevertheless, there is a place known as the Bullfrog Herd Management Area and that is where our burro's story began.  He was born in 2014 and rounded up in 2018 in the Bullfrog HMA.  Upon arriving, he was vaccinated, dewormed and gelded, none of which was likely to endear him to humankind. Since then, he's been in BLM holding pens, which I suppose is like a form of wild burro purgatory.  Sometimes humans moved him with flag sticks from one pen to another, but, just as in the wild, the other burros he was with were his temporary family.  

His journey east, with all the other burros and Mustangs being adopted for this event, was delayed several times.  The pandemic made it difficult and hurricanes made it treacherous, but he arrived, safe and sound.  

My first glimpse of him was when the TIP Challenge organizers (and their equine savvy kids) moved him through the lanes and into a chute where I had my trailer backed up.  He was a furtive grey creature dwarfed by the sheer size of the specially made chute.  They used twine to lower a halter into place and strap it on his head.  Then, I watched as they opened the chute for a path to the trailer.  He was unimpressed.  As many times as he has been loaded and unloaded on his journey east, I could understand.  He turned back a few times but flag sticks directed him toward the inevitable.  His lips were clamped tight and his body tense as he finally decided to step into the trailer.  

I had one pit stop at a gas station on the two hour drive.  He mashed himself against the front wall of the trailer, as if trying to blend in, while I quickly ran inside the convenience store.  At our farm, I set up the portable corral panels that directed him into a large pen with food, water, and a shade tree.  

We named him Jeremiah, (the aforementioned Bullfrog HMA) and because we hope he will be a friend of ours.  His nickname is Jay.  He got to work mowing the grass in his pen and learning the sights,sounds, and smells of his new home.  

One short session with him to find out how close he would allow me to get to him.  We worked up to five feet and called it a day.  He has a lot to take in.