[Robert MoonShadow]

Well, it looks like we’ve got a couple new ‘driving addicts’ amongst us. Aaron, Dave, I’m afraid they just haven’t got a 12-step program to help you out >>> guess you’ll just have to “suffer” with your new addictions!! 😀
{I’m anxiously waiting for my donkey delivery so I can join you!}

[Robert MoonShadow]

Carl ~ I admire the way you look out for your horses – before they need it “at the moment”… dealing with the ‘what ifs’ ahead of time is a sign of good leadership. Part of what I’ll be doing {eventually} with my donkeys, is public relations… and also delivering food donations to the domestic violence shelter –> not as “PR”, but just a way to put some laughter in the hearts of the children. I believe that if you can make a child laugh, you can usually find their mother smiling, too. {I refuse to let that type of man have the last word}. So, I realize that I need to make very sure that my donks learn to enjoy children, so that they (the donkeys) feel comfortable & safe, and even have fun, too. As you pointed out: it’s what a leader does. It helps that donkeys are so kid-oriented… and from what I understand, the big drafts are, too.

[Robert MoonShadow]

Hey Plowboy… don’t apologize for not knowing more; it all helps, really. What I’m having trouble understanding is what to look for; your’s & Donn’s comments on some being a bit spooky or uptight about noises behind them gives me a little bit to think on… I’m guessing that just experimenting when they get that way, with & without blinders, to see if it makes a difference. I’m hoping to get a bit more concrete indications, but maybe there aren’t really any.

[Robert MoonShadow]

Highway; The company mules do… but they’re mules, so…? On their winter pasture, I just pull in, and shove a 650# bale off the back of my Datsun p/u & cut & pull the twine. It’s a mix of grass types – I don’t think I’d do it with a bale heavy in alfalfa or clover. It lasts a standard & a draft mule about 3 weeks. {A lot of waste, but at $35 or a bottle of Crown Royal per bale…}.
Wow, how many head do you have, that 150 bales won’t last ’til spring? Even spring in NH?

[Robert MoonShadow]

Geoff; Thanks – that’s a good idea!
CIW; Yeah, I saw that photo = couldn’t see much detail past that big old grin your boy’s wearing! I’ve heard that about donkeys – jacks especially – that they actually have soft mouths unless taught otherwise. I think {from having pack donkeys} that they are especially adept at learning by watching others do it. I know that when I got Little Bit & added her in my pack string, it wasn’t but 1/2 hour into being led on a lead rope while watching the others just follow on their own (or go on ahead a bit) that she put on the brakes & flat refused to budge until I took off the lead rope & walked away… almost as if she was ‘insulted’ to be the only one on a lead. I’d forgotten about that incident, until you’d mentioned similar, here… I’m going to see if I can’t work that in to my advantage. Thanks!

[Robert MoonShadow]

So what would be the best bit to start a donkey with? This guy hasn’t ever been bridled (that we know of) – at least not in the 5 years the previous owner has had him. I’ll be using him for driving a small wagon/cart, small farm implements/forecart, some snigging of firewood logs. Oh, and he’s an intact jack (large standard), if that makes a difference. I want to keep his mouth as soft as possible, yet maintain control. Although, from what I’m getting to understand, it’s not so much control, {as in out-power}, but more communication. I probably didn’t say that very well, but hopefully it’s understandable. I took a look at one of the places online selling bits… so many, of so many styles & designs that it hurt my brain… so much so, I went back to doing taxes to ease the pain. :confused:

[Robert MoonShadow]

Donn ~ Did you design your barn this way, or did you ‘inherit’ it (came this way)? It sounds very functional.

[Robert MoonShadow]

Plowboy: Here’s a handy solution about avoiding going ski joring barefoot; next time you go outside in the winter, try wearing boots. :p
Just something to consider.
Sounds like that stud colt of yours is going to be a good one. What breed is he? Was he born on your place? What’s his mother’s temperament like?
I wasn’t sure if I understood: when you ground drove him along the state wighway, was he hooked to the gelding, or were you driving him solo? Also, what signs will you be looking for in him, to tell if you need to put blinders on him? That’s where I get lost at… I’m going to try teaching my donkey from the start without blinders, but don’t know what are the indications to perhaps switch to them.

[Robert MoonShadow]

OldKat ~ That does help, actually. It also reinforces my thoughts on going with an open bridle with my donkey – if it’s best for him. Donkeys react differently than horses do to stimulus: it’s in the way they developed. Donkeys are more inclined to ‘stop & study’ a situation than horses, whose instincts are more likely to ‘flight’. Thus, having an open bridle just makes sense to me… it goes along with their instincts a bit more than blinders. That’s because (for me), I want them to be able to make an evaluation of whatever the situation is, and choose to “join in” in my intent. I really like it best to have an animal (or a fellow human worker, for that matter) to work with me, rather than just for me.
My problem is that I don’t know how to tell if blinders are the best choice for an individual – what the signs are from that side of things. Your mare made it pretty obvious from that direction – to remove the blinders, but I wonder how would you be able to tell if to add them?
Once again in life; the more I know – the more I think – the dumber I feel. :confused:

[Robert MoonShadow]

Donn ~ I, too, want to thank you for your time & effort here… I’m learning a lot = you are very good at communicating your thoughts. Although I am picking up some techniques here, the real value (for me) is the learning of ideas. It’s hard to pick up a technique from the internet & apply it in real life -without a mentor & feedback, I might be applying it incorrectly. But the ideas you (and others here) present, can be used & adapted as the situation warrants. Your ability to convey the idea behind the technique is very valuable. I hope that you’ll keep on with this post.

And have a really good day, too.

[Robert MoonShadow]

Donn ~ I’ve read that thread on blinders – a couple of times. What I’m wondering though, is what are the indications that a certain horse might be better off with them than without? I’d definitely prefer my animal(s) didn’t have them on, but I’m not going to let MY personal preferences hinder the ANIMAL’S well being, neither. I just don’t know what to look for as indications.

[Robert MoonShadow]

Very funny!
And I had a ’48 Dodge 1-ton p/u like your Chevy: either hang on aroung corners, or learn to ‘tuck & roll!!’ I wondered when I bought it just what a handle was welded to the middle of the dashboard for… :confused:

[Robert MoonShadow]

Rod ~ I’d sure like to see photos of that delivery wagon you mentioned… doubt I could afford the shipping, much less the purchase price of an antique, but I’d like an idea of the design, since you mentioned it was for delivering produce.
Erik ~ I had a thought about SARE: they’re usually interested in providing funding (grants) for sustainable activities such as this wagon, that they can then use to provide others with the plans, details, etc. Hey, if they’re willing to fund or partially fund what you’re already going to do, just for photos, plans, etc….??

[Robert MoonShadow]

Donn ~ So what is the decision process in deciding whether to put Connie into a set of blinders? What are the signs or information you use to reach that decision?
and again, thank you very much for your continuing contributions to the knowledge pool here.

[Robert MoonShadow]

Erik ~ I was just reading your thread in equipment about your delivery wagon – did you ever decide on the style & wheels, etc.? I also had a thought to go with it… is there a way for you to keep a loaf or two warm while in the wagon, being delivered? Because, as I’m sure you know, nothing advertises a bakery like the smell…
…come to think of it, that applies to pig farms, too (but not in a good way) 😮

{I just pictured a wagon delivering fresh baked goods, with the aroma of all that good stuff wafting in the breeze throughout the neighborhood = sort of like the music of the icecream truck}
If you want to try out its effects, I live on Doumecq Rd, just outside White Bird, and I’ll take two of everything you’ve got. 😀

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