A Donkey Diary: 2/1/11

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Fresh snow!

It's cold and bright. The donkeys are basking in the sun's rays - this is probably the last gasp of winter on the coast. Click on the image for a really gorgeous shot.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

I have some truly wonderful friends who also love the donkeys. One of these people is my neighbour and friend Suzanne, who is a hugely compassionate animal lover. I don't think there's any species she doesn't adore.

Lucky for me, she loves the donkeys and has been a huge help over the years ... really, I don't know what I'd do without her!

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Gorgeous Clicker Training work with a mule

I have to post a link to this new video by trainer Sola Wolff. Here she is working with her mule Umber,
doing in-hand dressage work. It's really, really beautiful soft, fluid work with a strong partnership between human and animal. Watch this video for a lovely treat and inspiration!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82Nz702CvUM

I aspire to creating this kind of partnership with my animals and clicker training can be a way to get there.
I think Dorica has the potential to be a real clicker star! She has the softness to her movements, the attention span and the willingness.

Took some video footage when I was working with her the other day but unfortunately we walked out of the frame too many times to make it worth posting. I'll have to ask someone to hold the camera rather than set it up on a fence post!

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Galloping donkeys!

Late this afternoon, all three donkeys went on a tear ... even Deenah! Wonderful to watch them dart between the trees and into the open, snorting, heads held high, hooves just flying.

This is thanks to Siog the youngster - she has really brought a spark to Dorica and Deenah. I will often run myself as an invitation to them to join me and often they do! Today was one of those days. It was amazing.

A Few Great recipes: salves & soaks for hooves and sores, etc.

Homemade Bug Spray:
In a large bowl, mix 1 Cup water, 1 Cup white or apple cider vinegar, 1 Cup Avon Skin So Soft. Add a few drops each Citronella Oil and Eucaplyptus Oil. Mix and pour into a spray bottle. Spray your donkey's coat making sure NOT to get it near their eyes and avoid putting it on any sores as the vinegar makes it sting a bit. This can also be put on a cloth and wiped over the donkey if she hates the spray bottle but I have found that clicker training works well to encourage them to stand still!

Healing Salve:
Steep 1/4 tsp. of golden seal powder + 1 tsp. of calendula (any part) in 1 cup of hot water for 1 hour. Strain and mix the "tea" with 1/8 Cup of aloe vera. Use as a healing salve on scrapes or sores.

Healing Wash:
Steep 1 tsp. calendula (any part) + 1/4 tsp. golden seal + 1 tsp comfrey (any part) in 1 cup of very hot water. Strain "tea" and cool. Pour into glass container and keep in the fridge. Use on a compress or soak for any type of sore or abscess or flush gums with the cooled tea in a syringe. I warm the liquid before using.

Hoof Disinfectant:
Mix together in a large bottle: 1 litre Listerine Mouth Wash (the "original" one) + 10 ml Betadine (tamed iodine)+ 1 Tbs. golden seal powder + 1 Tbs. Gentain powder or root. Fill a squeeze bottle with some and apply to hooves after cleaning them first - white line area and frogs. You can use a toothbrush to work it in. Will cleanse, disinfect and encourage new tissue growth.

Rose

I fell in love with Rose in 2011 when I saw her photo on Asspen Grove Miniature Donkeys' web site. Some times it's just that simple ... smitten and who knows why? Rose's full name is White Star Red Roses.
She is a "big" mini, standing just under the regulation size at 35.25 inches at the withers. Her build is stocky and she has a lovely white blaze on her face! Sadly her tail was bitten during a fight with a horse when she was much younger and never grew back - I may have to get her a tail extension!

Rose was born in Alberta in 1997 and has been trained in halter class and driving. This donkey is without a doubt the kindest animal I have ever met ... not a pushy bone in her, just sweetness.
I feel very lucky to have her join our family!

Heather

Heather is a character! At nine years old, she has had two foals and is a sturdy donkey full of pep. She and Rose have known each other for eight years and traveled here together. They are good buddies. Heather is very sweet but can hold her own too, she is strong and has lovely conformation. She has a lovely broad head, like a sheep!

She is really fun to be with, keen and smart. She loves clicker training and always asks for more. At clinics she is everyone's favourite donkey. Heather and Siog have become buddies as they are just a year apart in age.

Siog

Siog arrived on Friday, November 5, 2010. Her Gaelic name means "young Fairy" and is pronounced "She-OH-g." She came from Pender Island and has the same father as Dorica. Ebony is just as his name suggests, jet black and Siog takes after him. Mom, Sidhe, is a sturdy pure white donkey and Siog's only genetic inheritance from her mom is a splash of white hair, like the milky way, on her forehead.

Siog has been here for two years now and a genuine character! She is very clicker savvy and VERY smart! She can be a bit of a prima dona, thinking the world turns just for her but with clicker training, I can usually change her mood. She LOVES clicker training!

Dorrie

Inis Eile Dorcha (we call her Dorica) was born on Pender Island on the summer solstice,1998. Her Gaelic name means "dark one." She's a Mediterranean miniature donkey, sometimes referred to as a "Sicilian" donkey. We bought her when she was 6 years old and so she has been here the longest and has known Annie, Ringo and Deenah ... a lot of comings and goings!

This little donkey has the sweetest disposition imaginable! She is curious and so willing. She is the donkey of my heart, although I adore all of the others, there's something magical about Dorrie!

A Donkey Diary

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