Main Menu I have outlined below a well-tried and tested method for loading your donkey into a trailer that forms several steps. The detailed description follows the photos. I hope it will be of help to you. Below – Steps One to Four: As the donkey steps forward straighten your elbow so that you direct it up the ramp. Below - Step Five: When a donkey stops half way up the ramp DO NOTHING. This is the donkey’s thinking time. If you try to push it up now it will back out. Below – Step Six: If it stands for a considerable time, start again, from your position on the ramp. If it refuses to move on the ramp, push it backwards to the bottom of the ramp and start again. When a donkey refuses to enter a trailer it is best to take your time to build its confidence. Train the donkey at home before you try to go to a show. If you are at home there is plenty of time. It is best not put yourself under pressure; this is all part of the relationship building process. You would not expect a donkey to drive or ride well without giving it time to learn. Asking a donkey to go into an enclosed space that moves is far more psychologically demanding. In my experience it is best not to ask lots of friends to gather behind the donkey to force it in. When a donkey gets frightened it tends to freeze, refusing to move when requested. If smacked and cajoled at this stage it will generally jump to avoid the trailer, either forwards over the ramp, or backwards straight into your well meaning friends. Rather it is best to work upon the following with just one calm assistant: The First Day. 1) Walk your donkey to the foot of the ramp. Stand on the left hand side of your donkey as usual, then turn to face its shoulder. 2) Hold the leading rope in your left hand, the remainder coming across your front to be held in your right hand. 3) Stretch your left hand out to the side, directing your donkey towards the trailer. If it does not move spin the remainder of the rope that is in your right hand in a circle near the donkey’s flank. 4) As the donkey steps forward straighten your elbow so that you direct it up the ramp. 5) If it starts to walk up the ramp you may let go of the rope with one hand to allow the donkey to continue forwards, then STAND STILL. It should be in the shape of a skipping rope, yet not touching the ground. When it stops half way up the ramp DO NOTHING. This is the donkey’s thinking time. If you try to push it up now it will back out. If you leave it alone it will most probably walk on in. 6) If it stands for a considerable time, start again (number one above), from your position on the ramp. 7) When the donkey moves up the ramp and half way into the trailer simply pass the end of the leading rope from your right hand to your left AND WAIT. No clicking or pushing please, it is checking out the inside, give it time. 8) Play around with steps 1-8 as though you were schooling your donkey. Do not be too particular. Once it has been in and out a few times you may find it chooses to stand in there to get some peace. Leave it for a while, then go into the trailer and lead it out. You have finished today. The Next Occasion. 9) Start by completing one to eight above taking as much time as your donkey needs. 10) Once the donkey has chosen to stay in the trailer for 60 seconds, either facing forwards or towards you, follow it into the trailer. Repeat this step a few times, to start with it may go to leave the trailer when you get in, simply agree and lead it down the ramp. Repeat steps nine and ten. 11) Once it can stand in with you ask your assistant to close the ramp for a few seconds at a time. Gradually increase the time to a minute or two. 12) When the ramp is shut, ask your friend to pass a feed to you and stand next to your donkey stroking it whilst it eats. 13) Lower the ramp and allow your donkey to walk you out. If it rushes out, allow it enough rope to do so. DO NOT TRY TO STOP IT, this is how people can get injured, because the harder you pull the faster they go. Simply acquire a longer rope and once the donkey is out, turn it. Then repeat steps 1-8 until it walks out calmly. 14) If the donkey persists in rushing down the ramp in a dangerous manner, simply turn its rump to the ramp before it is opened, and ask it to back out. To do this you face your donkey’s nose, place one hand either side of its headcollar and lean your stomach (in the case of a standard donkey) against its face, and walk forward. Or, you can place your right hand on its chest or nose and push there. If at first it refuses to back up, wait and ask again. Do not allow it to turn around, remember you want a slow exit. The donkey will become impatient before you will; once it learns it can only leave backwards, it will start to move that way. (Make sure you have side gates if your ramp is very steep, otherwise it should not matter if your donkey steps off the ramp sideways accidentally the first few times.) The Final Steps. 15) Once your donkey has loaded introduce a short drive of a hundred yards or so in between shutting the ramp (step 11) and feeding (step12). Make sure you have stopped before you offer the feed. This will associate movement with the approach of something pleasurable. 16) Keep the first few journeys short and sweet. 17) Never drive above 45 miles per hour. (Once a friend was amazed by this suggestion. An hour later they turned their trailer over on the motorway with a horse inside it. Miraculously no one was physically harmed, although there was much psychological damage suffered by the horse, and owner.) Danger areas. 1) It is unwise to take a long rope and thread it through the tying ring in the trailer in an attempt to lever the donkey in. A donkey is far too strong and fast. As it backs up your hand will be taken to the ring and trapped. You will most probably lose a finger. I have seen this happen! 2) Do not approach the rear of the donkey with jumping poles, breeching straps or brooms in an attempt to frighten, drag, or push it in. The whole idea is to gain its confidence and obedience. You can only do this if you speak clearly to its mind. A panicking donkey backing into a person with a jumping pole is potentially very dangerous. 3) Do not stand in the middle of the trailer space if you want the donkey to enter it, stand to one side. If you fill the space with your body you are not saying, “Look it is safe in here!” you are saying, “I need all the space!” 4) A huge temptation is placed upon people to slam up the ramp the minute the donkey is inside. Do not do it! I have seen people in such a hurry they have trapped ropes, fingers, or even the donkeys’ foot in the process. It is a terrifying experience for the animal, and potentially dangerous for the person who has accompanied it in. On one occasion I was once in a trailer with a donkey when this happened to me. Not only did a lunge line get caught in the door, but also the donkey leapt up in the air and landed right next to me for comfort. If this had been a larger donkey or a horse I would have sustained a serious injury. A) If there is a front ramp it can sometimes help to open it up to allow light through. If you are asking your donkey in, rather than forcing it, it will not barge through at great speed. If it asks to go straight out the front simply ask it to half-halt, then walk out with it. Once you have gained its trust it will stand in the trailer happily when both ramps are down or up. If you have a donkey that will definitely barge through, as it has had previous fears, just open the top door above the ramp and work upon the stages 1) to 8) above. B) If the donkey really refuses to move practise leading it into other confined spaces ; small stables, alleyways between buildings. Generally improve your relationship so you can lead him/her around. Follow another donkey into these situations to make it more forward thinking. Then approach the trailer and ask again, perhaps following another donkey that will definitely load.
Loading Tips for Donkey Owners
If it moves sideways off the ramp, or goes backwards, ALLOW IT TO, then start all over again from number one.
If it refuses to move on the ramp, push it backwards to the bottom of the ramp and start again.
If it backs out – push it backwards further then start again. ( from number one above.)
If it walks all the way in – DO NOTHING - simply wait until it turns around to come out, or, in the case of a trailer with a partition, it backs out. It is extremely important to allow the donkey to learn how to come out, without feeling it has got itself trapped.
Many people have tried the following ideas, and all have learnt that they can lead to disaster:Further suggestions.
Happy loading, Debbie Street.
