Help with taming donkeys

amtw

We have 2 female donkeys who are about 5 years old. When we bought them we assumed we could get them used to being handled but it has proved much more difficult then we thought. We invited the donkey sanctuary people to visit and they have been here twice. They are happy with the way the donkeys are being looked after and they said the donkeys are in good condition. We have done everything they said to get the donkeys used to being handled but unfortunately we just don't seem to be able to get them used to being handled.

We need help. We are in the north Wicklow area and we would be willing to pay someone to come in for however long it takes to tame the donkeys.

Any help or advice would be appreciated.

boxerly

Food,time and patience:).They can be very stubbern animals.If they were mine I would sit in their field and see if they get curious and come closer.Then ye could throw some carrots and let them eat them without you trying to catch them.Do this as often as you can untill they will take it from your hand.If they already have headcollars on clip a lead rope on and try go for a little walk letting them graze (just dont get kicked).If you have a stable bring them in and give them a groom followed by a treat:).Eventually they should come over to you :)Pity your not near Celbridge I love donkeys :)Best of luck with them.

gud4u

boxerly wrote: »

Food,time and patience:).They can be very stubbern animals.If they were mine I would sit in their field and see if they get curious and come closer.Then ye could throw some carrots and let them eat them without you trying to catch them.Do this as often as you can untill they will take it from your hand.If they already have headcollars on clip a lead rope on and try go for a little walk letting them graze (just dont get kicked).If you have a stable bring them in and give them a groom followed by a treat:).Eventually they should come over to you :)Pity your not near Celbridge I love donkeys :)Best of luck with them.

Stubborn as a mule....or donkey, they're the same family. I grew up with a few donkeys and just like fouls you have to be patient. You can pay someone to come in but you'd still have to put in the time. You just have to earn their trust.

How old were they when you got them, if they're five now, did you have them from fouls(if that's what a baby donkey's called).

Did you get them as rescues, because that'd explain a lot.

boxerly

Baby Jennies,Baby Jacks but generally called Foals

amtw

We have the two donkeys for about 18 months. We bought them from a man who had lots of them and they were just running wild in a field, I don't think that had ever had much human interaction.

One of them is less nervous and we managed to get a head collar on that one. They will both come over to you for food, they love carrots and slices of bread. The donkey sanctuary people said not to get them used to getting food every time that they see a human so we don't give them something everytime we go out to them.

gud4u

You are making progress then, if they were never socialised with humans and just ran around together then time is all you're going to need. It's great that you can at least get close enough to feed them. Just keep doing what you're doing.

amtw

OK. Thank you everyone, we will keep up the slow work with our two long ears and hopefully they will let us groom and pet them.