Horse

Fireworks Your Animals Need You To Have A Plan

/ Donkey Whisperer Farm ® / Leave a comment

Fireworks and Pets Not A Good Combination:

Plan ahead to keep pets safe; owning pets is a huge responsibility and for those of us who have equine (donkeys, horses, and mules) living in rural areas, we must be extra careful. The equine is a flight or fight animal when terrified of death. Meaning; they can get scared when the fireworks start, and the smell is in the air.  Some horses have been known to run into fences.  Locking them in their stalls is the safest when neighbors are shooting off fireworks I turn the radio up and give lots of hay and fresh water. Donkeys have died from fear, yes fear. Colic is a life-threatening matter. Donkeys are stoic will not show pain until it is too late. Do your best to stay calm and keep your donkeys, mules, and horses locked up safe in their stall until the fireworks are over. Long-distance fireworks are not that big of a deal, fireworks right over the farm or barn can kill your equine.

Want to read more tips on pet safety and fireworks?  Select Blue Cross Pets Fireworks for more details.

Dogs and cats can get so scared of fireworks they can run off and not be able to find their way home best to keep them locked in the house too. Our doggies get very stressed, turning the radio up helps, some people tranquillize their dogs until the fireworks are over.  I say do whatever you have to do to keep your pets safe as they don’t understand fireworks.  Please remember animals do not understand fireworks “they are truly scared and think they will die.” It’s our job as the smart human to protect them and take care of them.

What do you do to keep your pet(s) safe during the fireworks?  Please leave a comment to help others.

Read my blog Fireworks and Pets Is A Bad Mix

GOD bless you and your family two and four-legged!

Melody Johnson, Trainer/Owner

Donkey Whisperer Farm ®

 

Wild Burro and Horses BLM Roundup

/ Donkey Whisperer Farm ® / Leave a comment

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is planning on announcing the next roundup of wild horses and wild burro’s for fiscal year 2023. These helicopter roundups are brutal and traumatizing resulting in injury or death to the horses and burro’s. Google BLM Donkey Abuse to watch a horrible YOUTUBE video showing the truth, helicopters chasing the donkeys and the donkey suffering physical abuse from wranglers for not running when scared and tired. Donkeys freeze when scared and tired as donkeys are not horses with long ears.

You can be the voice for the wild horses and burros it only takes a couple of minutes of your time to fill out the forms listed below. Your voice matters!

Sadly the abuse does not end in the round up its worse when captured and forced to live in holding pens as they become one of 60,000 plus wild horses and burros locked up in jail, held in the BLM’s holding system. Many of these holding pens are full of disease outbreaks, underfeeding, lack of basic care, vet treatment along with seriously ill maintained facilities causing more injuries.

American Wild Horse Campaign AWHC is taking action to address this crisis and break the silence surrounding the beginning of the BLM’s next roundup season. Please fill out all of the forms below now.

1) DEMAND BLM ACCOUNTABILITY ON Comprehensive Animal Welfare Program (CAWP) VIOLATIONS
The BLM has its own assessment standards for holding facilities called the Comprehensive Animal Welfare Program (CAWP). Even with this program in place, many holding facilities have been found in violation of these standards. Send a message to the Department of the Interior to demand the BLM actively enforce its own CAWP standards. →

SEND A MESSAGE

2) SUPPORT THE WILD HORSE AND BURRO PROTECTION ACT 
One of our wild horse champions in Congress, Representative Dina Titus (D-NV) introduced legislation this year that would take a stand against the brutality of the BLM’s helicopter roundups: The Wild Horse and Burro Protection Act (H.R. 6635). This bill would ban the use of helicopters for capture once and for all. Send a message to your representatives in Congress letting them know you support this legislation and ask them to sign on as a cosponsor. →

SEND A MESSAGE

3) CALL ON THE BLM TO MANDATE CAMERA INSTALLATIONS 
Often wild horses and burros are chased for miles before our field representatives see them. And even when the helicopter comes into view, the BLM places the observers as far as a mile away from the operation, making it nearly impossible to really see what’s happening. We’re fighting for the passage of Rep. Titus’ legislation to ban the use of helicopters, but so long as these roundups continue, we’re advocating for the installation of cameras on all helicopters used for these operations! Mandating helicopter cameras to record and document roundups will help the public hold the BLM accountable and establish a record of activities most Americans never see. Send a message to the BLM to advocate for camera installations on helicopters. →

SEND A MESSAGE

2023 is the year we demand change for the wild horses and burro’s. Tell congress the brutal helicopter roundups should end now. Thank you for taking action. 

Melody Johnson,

Donkey Whisperer Farm ®

What To Do When Your Donkey Has A Hoof Abscess

/ Donkey Whisperer Farm ® / 1 Comment

Here at Donkey Whisperer Farm ® we get more inquiries about hoof abscesses in donkeys than any other healthcare issue. Due to this common, but dreadful hoof ailment, we have decided to share our personal experience here at the farm with you through our new Donkey Healthcare Video ‘Donkey Hoof Abscesses’. Order Donkey Hoof Abscess.

Donkeys are stoic meaning they will hide pain, the donkey is sound in the morning and by the afternoon the donkey looks like he/she has a broken leg. Some hop on three legs or have a slight limp in the beginning. The donkey lays down too much. This is a sign of a hoof abscess and we the owners need to know what to do to get the donkey out of pain quickly.

We have over seventeen years of experience treating mild to life-threatening abscesses in donkeys with veterinarian guidance, as well as alone in the field. Over the years Donkey Whisperer Farm ® has developed a strict and successful protocol for preventing, treating, and overcoming hoof abscesses all has been taught to us from our veterinarians.

It is vital that every donkey owner and caretaker understand that hoof abscesses in donkeys can be fatal and should not be considered a routine health problem. In the Donkey Whisperer Farm ‘Donkey Hoof Abscesses’ Video we outline causes, prevention, do’s and don’ts, home care, pain control, and recovery from donkey hoof abscesses.

This is a must-have donkey healthcare video for every donkey owner or caretaker! As we say at Donkey Whisperer Farm: it is not IF your donkey gets a hoof abscess, but WHEN your donkey gets a hoof abscess! The Donkey Whisperer Farm ® teaches you the owner or caretaker how to treat the abscess without cutting a hole out of the foot. If after four days the abscess has not drained out it is time to call the vet. We are not vets. The hoof takes 1 year to grow out. Order Donkey Hoof Abscess.

Farm living is a blessing, a personal choice, and its hard work. Very few vacations, time to travel as the farm is a full-time job.  Owning any form of equine (donkey, mule, or horse) is not cheap. The cost for hay, vet, the trimmer is all rising each and every day. We must understand the vet is the team leader for the health of our equine. The trimmer follows the vet’s instructions.

The owner is 100% responsible for each and every step that is being taken to keep the farm healthy.

Anytime I can share information that can get the donkey, mule or horse out of pain and suffering fast I promise to do it. 

We have six donkeys and two horses living on the Donkey Whisperer Farm ®, out of the six donkeys only one donkey has never had a hoof abscess in the last thirteen years. I teach worldwide the owner of a donkey or mule how to train and care for the equine. E-training is always the best way to learn. Preparation is the key to solving any crisis and keeping our money. Select Donkey 101 E-TRAINING Video On Demand. 

If we can be prepared in training the donkey, mule or horse to pick up the feet without a fight. Trust us as a leader it is easy to soak the foot and create the hoof boot. First, we have to learn how to train and stay in the leadership position the entire time we are with our equine.

Select Donkey 102 Video On Demand is problem-solving. 

GOD bless you and your family two and four-legged!

Melody Johnson, Trainer/Owner

Donkey Whisperer Farm ®

Do Not Feed The Animals

/ Donkey Whisperer Farm ® / Leave a comment

Passing by a farm is truly a treat for city folks, as it can bring back some really special memories. Please look and enjoy the equine or any farm animal but never feed the equine. As tempting as this may be for you please stop and think about the health of the equine (horse, donkey, mule, pony) as most domesticated equines are on serious diets. Before you throw the apples, pears, bread, grass clippings over the fence at the equine stop and think. Will my food make the animal sick or kill this animal? Most domesticated equines are on a strict diet to avoid colic, laminitis, insulin resistance, hoof abscesses, fat in the blood, high sugar, and well the list goes on. Just like humans have to watch what they eat so do the equine.

Some equine can choke on a whole apple fast, the acid in the apples makes the tummy sick and soon the equine has colic. Colic can be life-threatening to equines. The hooves start rotting off, white line separation seriously turning to mush as insulin overload from sugar makes it so painful to stand, the owners will be stuck trying to save this equine’s life.

Resources:

Foal dies due to people throwing food over the fence

Woman is heartbroken as her horse dies to people feeding over the fence

Pregnant horse and foal die due to people throwing food over the fence

Thank you for sharing and caring,

GOD bless you and your family two and four-legged!

Melody Johnson, Trainer/Owner
Donkey Whisperer Farm ®

I Will Always Love You

/ Donkey Whisperer Farm ® / Leave a comment

Follow the Donkey Whisperer Farm ® On Instagram. 🙂 Please turn the volume up to hear the reels soundtrack. I will always love you, Dolly Parton.

GOD bless you and your family two and four-legged!

Melody Johnson, Trainer/Owner

Donkey Whisperer Farm ®

Baby Horse (Foal) Tied To A Donkey

/ Donkey Whisperer Farm ® / 4 Comments

Donkeys have been the beast of a burden far too long.  “Please when you see any form of neglect or abuse of donkeys speak up. Please become the voice for the donkey. Never fight with people educate and do what you can to help the donkey. Please never ever tie a donkey to another animal to train.”  Melody Johnson, Donkey Whisperer Farm ®.

Donkeys deserve only the best in life! 

Melody, Good morning!

We are looking into purchasing a necking donkey for our ranch. 

We breed, raise and show horses but, are getting to the age where we need help with those young foals that get weaned from mothers and need to learn to lead away from mother, respect, etc. and would like to develop a more gentle approach to getting results, not to mention our bodies are getting where handling the young is tough and we pay for it many days after.  Do you know of anyone who specializes in training donkeys for that purpose?  Tanya

Tanya, I do not sell donkeys. I do not agree with using a donkey to train a young horse. I personally would never do this to any donkey or the foal. Since you more than likely will do this to a donkey here is my advice;  Use a surcingle on the donkey, not a halter on the head or a rope around the neck. I would never ever leave the donkey connected to a foal for longer than 1/2 an hour. I would never ever leave these two unattended.

Donkeys are not stubborn donkeys are intelligent. Depending on the donkey you get this may or may not work. Donkeys grab the neck of another donkey or another animal in play and in battle. Extroverted donkeys will not always stand still and freeze when scared they will fight back. Introverted donkeys will lay down and not get up when terrified or stressed. Sadly, one person says this works and everyone jumps on thinking it is less work for the breeder of horses.

Donkeys need their diet to be tested forage hay 10% or lower in sugar and protein. Donkeys need the farrier on a regular schedule, shots, and teeth just like a horse.

Select   Western Horsemanship Magazine to read one of the articles floating around the internet.

Donkey 101 & 102 Video On Demand

“Horses dream of being trained the way a donkey demands to be trained” Melody Johnson
GOD bless you and your family two and four-legged!
Melody Johnson, Trainer/Owner Donkey Whisperer Farm ®

What’s Behind The Barn Door

/ Donkey Whisperer Farm ® / 6 Comments

Farm life is the best life! I love our farm, and all of the animals but let me be clear this is not the life for all humans. Our farm animals require twenty-four-seven care, seven days a week no exception.

Our farm is growing low sugar & protein hay and boy does this require some work. My husband Scott is a seriously physically fit middle-aged man, he is constantly lifting heavy items for the farm, moving hand lines, building fences, lifting heavy bales of hay. Did I tell you farming is hard work?

Farms Require Work!

* Farmers work full-time seven days a week, twelve moths out of the year.

*Farmers must have another full-time job to keep the farm alive.

*Farmers do not take vacations very often.

*Farmers must have passion for the farm and the animals.

*Farmers use their personal resources as its difficult to pay someone to run the farm.

*Farmers work in hot, cold, wet, windy, mudy and freezing weather all hours of the day.

*Farmers pray! Farmers pray for sunshine, rain, wind, and for favor to keep the farm running.

*Farms with animals require the farmer to provide food, water, shelter, fences, vet care, and basic husbandry of boring choirs such as picking up poop and composting at least 2 times a day. Picking poop out of the hooves at least three times a week for donkeys, mules and horses, no hoof, no equine.

*Farms require the owner to work full-time with very few breaks or trips away from the farm.

If you can agree to all of the issues above, hurry and get your farm up and running! Congratulations you are indeed a rare human, you are a hard worker and you are a farmer.

God bless you and your family two and four-legged!

Melody Johnson

Donkey Whisperer Farm ®

Romal Riding Reins Spanish Knot (30)

/ Donkey Whisperer Farm ® / Leave a comment

Donkey Whisperer Farm ® presents our new riding reins for donkeys, mules, ponies and horses. Order Here OUR STORE 

Split reins, soft yacht rope. 30 Spanish Knots

Seven beautiful colors to choose from for the Spanish Knots. 8ft, 9ft or 10ft  large black leather popper, SS snaps, popper stamped Donkey Whisperer Farm. Made by hand in the USA.

Mules and Horses Of The Olympic National Park

/ Donkey Whisperer Farm ® / Leave a comment

The Olympic National Park is in our backyard. Hubby (Scott) and me have child memories of the same places growing up in Washington State. The Olympics are a huge reason we live in Sequim, Washington.  The hiking trails are maintained by mules and a few horses owned and cared for by the National Park Services. 

Resource: Olympic National Park Mules & Horses

Do not feed the mules and horses.  All equine living in domestication are on a special diet. It is very important to never feed a horse, donkey, or mule without permission. Why? Colic is life threatening. Meaning; changing the diet can cause a serious life threatening issue. Please never feed any equine without permission. 

  •  

Help Orphan Foals Yakima Washington

/ Donkey Whisperer Farm ® / Leave a comment

Select GO FUND ME

HELP 60+ ORPHAN FOALS STAY OUT OF THE KILL PEN

Preventing Sunburns In Donkeys, Horses and Mules

/ Donkey Whisperer Farm ® / Leave a comment

Donkeys, horses and mules with pink skin are at risk for sunburns and skin cancer. Prevention is number one, use sun screen, fly masks with UV filters and shade.

donkey sunburn
Sunburn Donkey

Resources:

Select Protecting your Horse from the sun

Select Skin Cancer

Select Preventing Sunburns.

Select Treatment For Skin Cancer

One Day The Wild Horses and Burros Will Be Extinct

/ Donkey Whisperer Farm ® / Leave a comment

Select Take Action To Stop The Wild Horse and Burro Roundups

Death With Dignity For Our Donkey, Horse or Mule

/ Donkey Whisperer Farm ® / Leave a comment

Living the farm life is a blessing as farms are expensive to maintain, our world has become very expensive. The life of a farmer is amazingly difficult as each day something new is left at our feet. A farmer must pray, plan and let go. Nothing is more difficult than working for a year and having the weather destroy crops or livestock.

 

I teach the owner or caretaker worldwide how to care for the donkey and train and maintain the donkey. Everything we do or do not do will affect the health of our livestock emotionally, physically and mentally. Here on the Donkey Whisperer Farm ® we work closely with our veterinarian and farrier to ensure our donkeys and horses are living in optimum health.

Our Life is in God’s hands, each day is fragile and precious for humans and animals. 

Resources: Options To Bury The Body Of Our Beloved Horse, Donkey or Mule

Resources: Sending The Equine To Heaven

Have A Plan:

When a donkey, horse or mule dies it is very important to let the rest of the herd smell and see the equine has passed. If we do not provide closure the animals will live in emotional distress crying and looking for their pasture buddy. Even when one of our dogs pass we let the other dogs say goodbye. Its only fair.

 

God Bless You And Your Family Two And Four-Legged

Donkey Whisperer Farm

Melody & Scott Johnson

Foal Dies from Passerby Feeding Treats – Owner Spreading Word

/ Donkey Whisperer Farm ® / 4 Comments

Select Equine Dies From Pass Buyer Throwing Food Over The Fence

Why grass clippings are bad

But why is cut grass bad for horses? It doesn’t seem to make sense, since they eat mostly the same grass on the other side of the fence and the hay we feed is just cut and dried grasses. But even though the grass may technically be the same variety, it’s not the same as a fresh mouthful in your pasture or hay that’s been properly cured. The issues:

  • Grass from your lawn may contain fertilizers or anti-weed (herbicide) or anti-insect (pesticide) chemicals that should not be consumed by horses.
  • Recently cut grass doesn’t dry uniformly, leaving wet clumps that can ferment and grow mold and mildew. Microbes introduced this way can cause colic in horses. Unlike lawn clippings, hay grass is tetted and sometimes re-tetted (spread out evenly in a thin layer) and dried/cured in the field before baling.
  • A mouthful of small cuttings may be quickly consumed by a horse. The small, wet clumps can compact and stick in a horse throat. Hay or fresh grass is chewed in manageable amounts.
  • The horse digestive system works best with consistent feeding. It adapts well but not quickly (as in day-to-day). Sudden shifts can lead to digestive problems and laminitis.

 

 

Donkey Whisperer Farm ®

/ Donkey Whisperer Farm ® / 4 Comments

“ON DONKEY TIME ® IS OUR BUSINESS LOGO” 

We train the owner or caretaker to train the donkey. It’s all about you! Learn how to train your donkey and never be frustrated again.

Select Our Store to order E-training and your donkey soft yacht rope halter/lead line.

 

 

GOD bless you and your family two and four-legged

Donkey Whisperer Farm, LLC

WWW.DONKEYWHISPERER.COM

You See Animal Abuse We See Human Abuse

/ Donkey Whisperer Farm ® / 2 Comments

Our world has changed dramatically in how we care and treat animals. We now have business catering to all aspects of pet care, food and behavior training for humans.  First we must train the human, next the human trains the animal. 

Humans who abuse animals are not merely signs of a minor personality flaw, but are rather symptomatic of a deep mental disturbance. Cruelty to animals has been recognized as an indicator of a dangerous psychopathy that claims both animal and human victims.

Horses Dream Of Being Trained The Way A Donkey Demands To Be Trained, Melody Johnson, Donkey Whisperer Farm.

The Link: Cruelty to Animals and Violence Towards People
Select Animal Legal Historical Center

Donkeys are called donkey, burro or ass short for Equus africanus asinus. The donkey is a domesticated member of the horse family, Equidae. Scientific name: Equidae The wild ancestor of the donkey is the African wild ass, E. africanus.  Asses were first domesticated around 3000 BC, probably in Egypt or Mesopotamia, and have spread around the world.

Donkeys Come In Three Sizes ALL ABOUT DONKEYS

Miniature – man-made bred to be Small

Standard or burro

Mammoth – man-made bred to be Large

 

God bless you and your family two and four-legged!

Donkey Whisperer Farm

www.donkeywhisperer.com

Will You Help Stop Horse, Donkey And Mule Slaughter?

/ Donkey Whisperer Farm ® / 2 Comments

Select STOP EQUINE SLAUGHTER   ACTOR ROBERT REDFORD

Select BLM Video Roundup STRAIGHT FROM THE HORSES MOUTH

 

Snow Storm February 2019 Donkey Whisperer Farm

/ Donkey Whisperer Farm ® / 1 Comment

The farm has changed to a white blue snow blanket. Seems everything has this new color and shape, all objects on the farm have 26 inches of snow and more to come. Yes, twenty-six inches of snow.

A week ago today the weather report changed from a mild winter to a wicked storm advisory. Living on a farm we must be 100% self-sufficient as this is farm life. We blanked all the equine donkeys and horses and prepared for the worst while praying for the best. The worst came within twenty-four hours we had 26 inches of snow on the farm. With this came weather in the teens. This is the kind of weather that makes pipes break its cold outside.

Donkeys evolved in the desert. Donkeys cannot take the weather when it drops into the 20’s or lower. Shelter is a must for all equine. Our horses live in a small paddock in the winter and they need a blanket too. All the donkeys and horses have taken to the snow with no problem including taking a little REM nap with their blankets on. The miniature donkeys do not like the snow. Why? The snow comes up to their bellies. The miniature donkeys stay in the barn. They have no interest in the cold snow.

Donkeys and horses prefer warm clean water. Salt is important to prevent colic. Hay, we feed with a slow feeder to prevent colic.

Select Cliff Mass Snow Storm 

The weather report says at least another seven days of this snow. The farm will survive but we are tired of it already. Poop must be picked up every day to avoid a mess and parasites. We are going to need the tractor to clean this mess up. Wow!

Life on a farm is never boring. Its work, and its love. We love our farm and the animals so very much.  We are looking forward to spring.

 

 

Stick and String

/ Donkey Whisperer Farm ® / 1 Comment

Select Our Store to order.

HORSE SHEEP NANNY ITALY

/ Donkey Whisperer Farm ® / Leave a comment

Select Donkey Sheep Nanny to read all about it!