Conference noted::equitation

    Hi Jane,
    
    My mother who lives in FLA has three donkeys.  They are very
    interesting animals - very different from a horse.  I have
    ridden them on serveral occasions.  They are stubborn - but
    very docile.  She receives several magazines and has many books
    on Donkeys and Mules, I will get some names and addresses if you
    like?  If you have any specific questions I may be able to help,
    as my mother is always calling me and telling me about her pets.
    I must tell you that my mother was never interested in anything
    bigger or more complicated than a dog or cat.  It has amazed me
    at how 'into' these donkeys she is.  She was always afraid of my
    horses - but now she takes lessons on her donkeys and is planning
    on showing in a pleasure division at a Donkey & Mule show this
    summer.  She has had the donkeys since 1985.  
    

    Hi...yes, I'd be interested in the names of any literature, etc.
    I've always stuck to cats, myself, and last year a dog, but this
    donkey has stolen my heart and we have room for larger animals,
    soooo...
    
    Jane

    
    	Just for GP's.... Disneyworld places wild donkeys that have
    	been tamed..  I don't know if there is a charge for them or
    	not...
    
    	Susan

    My uncle adopted 2 burros from the Bureau of Land Management about
    5 years ago. Within 2 weeks they would let you pet them and turned
    into nice pets. We did discover however that they do not like to
    be separated or they make tremendous HEE HAWs that wake up the whole
    neighborhood. They also demand a regular routine or they complain
    loudly. If you are late to feed they tell you! The only other thing
    is they are browsers more than grass eaters and will debark trees
    they like while standing knee deep in grass. It is also very easy
    to feed them too rich of a diet. We fed them mixed hay (no alfalfa)
    and just a handful or two of a 12% protein horse feed. I must admit
    those big eyes and huge ears will steal your heart!
    Sandy
    

   Last night I found some information which might be helpful to you.
   In this month's Equus, there is an article about how the BLM is
   shipping horses and donkeys back east (to New England and New York)
   and gave the following dates for adoptions at satellite centers:

            May 13 - Massachusetts
            June 24 - New Hampshire **
            July 8 - New York
            July 22 - Vermont
            August 26 - Maine
            September 2 - New York

   To find out where the adoption centers will be call 703-461-1369.
   
   Address is Adopt-A-Horse
              Eastern States Office
              350 S. Pickett St
              Alexandria, VA  22304

   ** In this months Pedlar, there was an article saying that Kay Cushman
      of Canterbury, New Hampshire will have a satellite adoption center,
      however the date given was June 10, not 24. They said anyone inter-
      ested in finding out about the program is welcome to come to the 
      adoption center that day. Also people who have adopted in the past
      are invited to bring their adoptees to show potential adopters that
      adoptions do work out well. Unfortunately, they gave no phone number
      for Kay Cushman, maybe directory assistance would have it.

    HI...thanks for all the info, we'll contact BLM to "get started"
    with info about their program.  Another exciting adventure is about
    to begin!
    
    Jane

    Several of the members of our "New England Miniature Horse Society"
    have the miniature burros as well. All who have them are very fond
    of them and say they have alot of personality.
    
    I've been promising my minis a companion. ....one of these days...
    
    Good luck with your search...

    Kalara Arabians in Sturbridge, MA breeds burros.  I think they may even
    come in party colors, but I'm not sure.  Anyway, I know that Ruth sells
    them.  Those big ears and eyes sure are heart stealers.  I don't have
    the number, but information will know.
    
    stephanie

    It just happens that I have Ruth's phone number: 508.347-2151.
    
    I didn't realize (or if I did I've forgotten) that she was
    breeding burros...she does have about 30 purebred Arabians
    for sale.  Anyone looking for a really nice young Arab at
    a realistic price should call!
    
    gwen
    

    
    
    		I'm trying to figure out if there are any burro sections in
    	        this notesfile...i feel very stupid showing my ignorance,
    	        however, time's to admit that I am!
    
    		I raise Sicilian burros and want to train the two spring
    		babies to drive.  Yesterday we had a lesson about walking
    		under halter.  Everything you can imagine is true, except
    		for her sitting down.  Needless to say, she didnt' agree
    		with what i wanted.  At one point, I thought I'd have her in my
    		lap!  
    
    		It doesn't help that she's spoiled and smart.. an explosive 
    		combination.  On the plus side, she comes when called, is
    		playful loving etc....BUT, she thinks she ownes me rather
    		than the other way around.  DICIPLINE IS NOT ON HER AGENDA!
    
    		So, I turn to my fellow lovers of the 4-leg-ed's for solace
    		and advise.    HELP.
    
    					pls reply to my node, many thanks
    
    					223-3698 or luner::deplante

I decided to post the series of mail messages that Lora and I exchanged because 
they might be useful to other first time breeders or other folks with either
equine or asinine weanlings/youngsters. That's asinine in the sense of 
"pertaining to the genus Equus type ass" not in the "foolish behavior" 
definition of the word.




From:	DECWET::JDADDAMIO    "That's JOHN not Jan!" 30-SEP-1991 12:21:40.04
To:	LUNER::DEPLANTE
CC:	JDADDAMIO
Subj:	I WON'T DO IT AND YOU CAN'T MAKE ME!

Hi,

I don't know anything about Sicilian burros but I am Italian and have 
experience with equine youngsters. Is that close enough?

If you don't have any experience with foals, I would suggest that you 
rent/buy/beg/borrow/steal a copy of Linda Tellington Jones video tape on 
training the young foal. It gives lots of good info on basic training/handling 
of babies. It costs about $30. I can't remember the exact title but it's 
one of a series she has produced on training/handling horses using her TEAM 
method which is a very gentle, intelligent way to teach horses this kind of 
stuff. Her method has also been used on other species and should work very 
well for burros. Even a "spoiled" baby.

I can look up the exact title of the tape tonight if you like.
This will take time, patience and discipline(on your part). It's difficult to 
be demanding when they are so cute. It's also difficult not to get frustrated!

LTJ's series of video tapes also has a tape which could help you start the 
burros driving. She has one tape on training the young horse to saddle. In it
she shows you how to bridle/saddle them for the first time and teach them to 
steer by driving them from the ground. 

Doris Ganton has book/video tape on basic driving training which covers 
*EVERYTHING* about harnessing/hitching/training the youngster. I recommned 
it highly when you get to that stage. As usual, I can't remember the title but 
can check tonight if you like.

We have raised and trained several horses using the methods described in the 
books and videos that I mentioned. Didn't know anything about driving when we 
trained the first one and it worked fine. It can be done so don't give up.

Good luck,
John

From:	EARRTH::DEPLANTE "LORA DEPLANTE 223-3698  01-Oct-1991 0927"  1-OCT-1991 06:31:32.53
To:	DECWET::JDADDAMIO
CC:	
Subj:	many thanks, 


A funny coincidence, on the way into work today i was reading about tteam 
training in the Breyer mag. for burro's, donkeys and mules.  I will definately
educate myself before I engage in another session with Daisy (alais Brat).

I've trained horses but babies are a new experience.  I've made sure to handle 
them and socialize them in order to make this process easier so it was a bit
of a shock to find out I hadn't influenced halter training AT ALL. Nex time,
the halter goes on day 1 for an hr or so and every day thereafter - under
supervision of course.

many thanks for your advise, i'd appreciate the video and book names but pls
don't spend a lot of time, I will research what you gave me and can get back
to you if i'm unsuccessful.

				regards, lora

From:	DECWET::JDADDAMIO    "That's JOHN not Jan!"  1-OCT-1991 10:27:14.72
To:	EARRTH::DEPLANTE
CC:	JDADDAMIO
Subj:	RE: many thanks, 

Hi Lora,

With new foals, we usually start haltering at about 1 month simply because the 
halters aren't readily available in small enough sizes for newborns. Maybe you 
could find some pony foal halters that would work from day 1 but they would 
most likely be found in tack shops/catalogs which specialize in pony tack. The 
big tack outfits (e.g. Miller's) don't stock much in pony sizes. Find a local 
pony breeder and ask where they get their tack.

We just start the haltering for very short periods like the 2 min walk between 
barn and pasture. We take the halters off all our horses when they are turned 
out so the foal is not only under supervision for the whole time but it's also 
learning to be lead because it follows Mom by instinct.

The book/videos I recommend from personal experience are:

    1. The Linda Tellington Jones Series (about 8 - 10) tapes especially:
       a. Haltering Your Foal Without Trauma $39.95
       b. Educating Your Foal                $39.95
    2. Another LTJ tape that isn't part of that series entitled
       "Starting A Young Horse" covers tacking up, ground driving and breaking 
                                to saddle    $60.00
    3. Doris Ganton's "Breaking and Training the Driving Horse"
       a. Paperback book $10.00
       b. Video          $60.00

You can probably find some of this stuff in local tack shops. All of it is 
carried by a phone/mail order outfit that specializes in horsey books/videos. 
The business is Pegasos Press and the phone is 1-800-537-8558. They're in New 
Mexico (Sante Fe I think) but are very prompt in shipping so it won't take any 
longer to get the stuff from them than someplace geographically closer to you. 
In fact, I used them when we lived in New Hampshire and never had any 
complaint.

The video tapes are expensive so see if you can borrow them from somebody. The 
second most cost effective solution is rental. Many tack shops/feed stores 
rent video tapes for $5.00 the first night + a lower rate for more nights.
There is also a CA company (EQUIVID) which specializes in horsey video 
sales/rentals. They will rent you a tape at a rate of $10.00 for 3 weeks but 
you have to pay the return postage and the shipping time in both directions 
counts towards the 3 weeks. They ship UPS 2nd Day delivery so you would loose 
at least 3 days even if you wanted to return it with overnight delivery. The 
end result is you can keep it about 2 weeks after it gets to you and it costs 
you about $15 with the return shipping.

I think I'll post this same info in the horse notes file so anybody else who 
has foals (equine or burro) for the first time can refer to it.

Good luck and glad to be of help,
John

From:	EARRTH::DEPLANTE "LORA DEPLANTE 223-3698  01-Oct-1991 1402"  1-OCT-1991 11:06:32.03
To:	DECWET::JDADDAMIO
CC:	
Subj:	YOU WERE A LOT OF HELP, THANK YOU VERY VERY MUCH.


IT'S NICE TO HAVE A PLACE TO GO FOR INFO AND SHARED EXPERIENCES.  I PLAN
TO TAKE THINGS SLOWLY.  I DONT' BELIEVE IN PLOUGHING THRU AND STRESSING PEOPLE 
AND ANIMALS SO I FEEL CONFIDENT I'LL ACCOMPLISH WHAT I WANT AND ALL WILL BE
HAPPY.

THE ONE THING I'VE LEARNED AS A BEGINNER DRIVER IS THAT THE ANIMAL MUST BE
RELAXED AND ENJOYING WHAT THEY'RE DOING.  IF NOT, YOU'LL NEVER HAVE THE SHARED 
TRUST SO NEC. IN A GOOD RELATIONSHIP W/ EQUINES. THEY';RE VERY SPECIAL BEINGS
AND TRUST IS, I THINK, THE FOUNDATION FOR GOOD EXPERIENCES WITH THESE WONDERFUL
CREATURES.

			THANKS FOR YOUR HELP, LORA

    
    
    	Donkey's,burros and mule lovers....we're finally making
    	headway.  The Rochester Fair is planning on putting on it's
    	second Mule and Donkey show next year and there is a Derry
    	group who puts on an open show in the fall and spring; they
    	are quite anxious to include mules and donkeys.  They will
    	put in special classes for us if we request them.  These
    	include all the regular classes and the obstacle course for
    	those of us who have small standards or minitures.
    
    	I will be pulling a mailing list together and am asking for names
    	now.  Pls send:
    
    	name
    	address
    	phone number
    	which type(s) mule or donkeys you have
    	type of classes you'd like to see...
    
    	Also, if any of you know of a judge I'd appreciate thier name(s) as
    	well.  Right now we only have one judge.
    
	We taught a pair of 38" standard Sicialian yearlings to drive as 
    	a team this year.  We entered the Rochester fair and had a great
    	time, rain and all. I'd like to know what the rest of you are
    	doing.
    
        				lora deplante
    					223-3698
    					Mill
    
    	

    
    Well, it seems likely that I'm going to be mom to a donkey foal in a
    coupla years...
    
    It started when I fell in love.  BJ (for Baby Jack, his daddy was Black
    Jack) is 12 years old, and is the beloved pet of my friend Gail here in
    Houston.  He's a big, refined donkey with an intriguing history.  He
    was a wretched, unmanageable youngster who got tetenus (sp?) and lived
    through it.  A period of paralysis mellowed him considerably, and he is
    pretty mellow and amenable, now, especially if there is *petting* or
    *food* (his favorite things) involved.  
    
    I met him a couple of years ago, and rapidly became his buddy.  If he
    hears my voice (and he CAN, from anywhere on the 5-acre mini-farm) he
    screams until I come and scratch his ears and nuzzle on him.  He picked
    my voice out of a crowd of 50 people at the last big Halloween party
    Gail hosted, the instant I showed up.  Now *everybody* knows about us -
    since I was ordered to "go oout immediately and scratch that damned
    jack so that he'll pipe down and behave". 
    
    Gail is getting a jenny from the BLM; exact arrival date for BJ's new
    lady unknown.  BJ has sired a couple of beautiful mules in his lifetime
    (he loves the little mares) but this will be his first mating with another
    donkey.  His first donkey foal will be *mine* :-) :-)  
    
    I have NO equine experience whatsoever - except for being in love with
    this overly intelligent, outrageously stubborn, crazy donkey (ask me
    sometime about moving him out of his stall on New Year's eve - he has
    to be moved anytime there is loud noises or fire - including the
    bar-b-q pit being lighted - or he kicks down his stall!).  
    
    So, now that I've decided that I'm committed to this insanity, help me
    out!  I know Gail will be helping me every step of the way (and she has
    a lifetime of experience with equines) but I'm still a little nervous!
    
    I'll be moving within the next year, further from the city and to a
    place with more property (I have house outside the city now with a
    fenced acre.  Several neighbors keep horses and ponies in similar
    circumstances, but it seems a little *small*) - how much property does
    a donkey need?  What sort of stabling should I look at building?  Heat
    won't be a problem - a drop below 30F is rare here (although it has
    gotten colder than that twice this winter).  It gets really hot in the
    summer, though, so shade and cool is important.  What sort of fencing
    will I need (I use 5' chainlink to keep the dogs in, will this do for a
    donkey, too, and how much of an area should I fence for him/her?)
    
    I'll want to pay all the expenses associated with foaling and vet care
    for the jenny and so forth - what kind of $$ is associated with foaling
    a donkey?
    
    How much does caring for a donkey (foal/adult) cost, and what should I
    budget for average monthly expenses?
    
    Any suggestions on books to read about caring for a donkey/raising a
    donkey foal? (I'm familiar with the TTEAM material - I use TTOUCH for my
    parrots and my rescue dogs.) 
    
    I'm very excited about the prospect of owning my beloved BJ's
    son/daughter.  My long-suffering spouse has bought off on this, but is
    there anyway to get him to stop rolling his eyes, groaning, and
    muttering about "having my head examined"? :-)
    
	
    I know its a ways off, still, but I really want to start planning for
    all of this UP FRONT and get the education that I need NOW, as well as
    planning my longterm budget and space requirements.  Thanks for any
    help y'all can send my way.
    
    
    					/Rita