Thinking About Health Concerns of Donkeys and Mules

September 1, 2019September 3, 2019 / Donkey Whisperer Farm ® / 2 Comments

Health Concerns of Donkeys and Mules

Working with donkeys and mules takes training to an entire new level. Donkeys have photographic memories. Mules are half horse and half donkey meaning some mules will be more like a donkey and some more like a horse. Not every mule is going to make it to the Grand Canyon. What’s the big deal? Horses are flight equine. Donkeys are seriously smart and into self-preservation. All equine have personalities just like people extroverted more go than whoa. Introverted more of a deep thinker and more whoa than go.

Dictionary:

Donkey – Equus Asinus or Ass

Three sizes

Minature

Standard or burro

Mammoth Donkey

Jack—The term used for the male of the ass species.

Jennet—Pronounced JEN-et, it is the correct term for the female of the species. The most commonly used term is jenny.

Burro—A word taken directly from Spain. It means the common, everyday working donkey found in Spain and Morocco. Many people call a wild donkey a burro in the Pacific Northwest.

Donkey sizes—Donkeys come in all shapes and sizes ranging from the Miniature Mediterranean 28 inches to Mammoth 16’2 hands. The ears of a donkey are much longer than the horse.

Mule – The mother is a horse and the dad is a donkey. Mules are Usually sterile.

Hinny – The mother is a donkey and the dad is a horse. The death rate is high when trying to breed this way.

Female mule – Also known as a Molly.

Health Concerns

Diet is number one in the U.S.A. Donkeys evolved from the desert meaning they are seriously easy keepers. The overweight donkey is prone to laminits, colic, founder, hoof problems, abscesses, fat deposits. I.E., Neck crests and breaks. Death is final all due to poor diet. Donkeys must live on a dry pasture for the majority of their day. Donkeys will eat themselves to death if given the chance. Never feed donkeys alfalfa, oats, grass full-time grazing, bread, grass clippings. A safe reward for your donkey is a bite of a carrot. A bite. Never feed apples, pears etc., to your donkey. Donkeys evolved from the desert think about what is in the desert. Donkeys are seriously Easy Keepers.

Fecal samples are a must to prevent worms. Donkeys must have vet checks and regular hoof trimming just like the horse when living in domestication.

Reproduction

Donkeys gestation is twelve to thirteen months. Vet care is a must if you think your donkey is pregnant get a vet check do not guess.

Donkeys are stoic – Meaning donkeys will never show pain until it is too late. Be sure to not wait too long to get medical attention as your donkeys life is depending on you.

Training?

The Donkey Whisperer Farm trains the owner or caretaker to train the donkey via our video training series Donkey 101 and Donkey 102. Take Melody Johnson to the farm with you via your smart device. Each training program has a written PDF to print out and take to farm with you. We train the owner or caretaker to train the donkey worldwide using resistance free methods. Select OUR STORE to purchase donkey halter/lead lines, donkey training stick and string and our Donkey Training Video Series.

Senior Donkeys Need Help In The Winter

July 8, 2019December 4, 2022 / Donkey Whisperer Farm ® / 2 Comments

Hi Melody,

I have a 38″ donkey approximately 29 years old. He is thin and I wondered what you feed your senior donkeys to put weight on them? He has had his teeth done and is wormed every other month. I live in Michigan so I want to get weight on him before the winter. I feed him 3-1/2 lbs. of Timothy Hay Cubes per day

Hi Jeannette,

Most importantly understand donkeys can get arthritis just like people. So we need to be addressing ways to help the donkey with pain during the winter. Pain sucks and can trigger your donkey to slow down eating. I give Cosequin ASU as we have two senior donkeys on this in the winter.

Blanketing is important to help your donkey survive the cold. The older donkeys, sick or very young need a little help. Be sure and take a look at Donkey 102 VIDEO ON DEMAND for blanketing and more. All of my teaching videos come with an E-BOOK. No blanket is waterproof so get two so you can dry the other blanket during long storms. I blanket when we hit the 20’s. Donkeys cannot take the cold. They are made to live in the hot desert and cold at night. Not the cold and frigid weather. It is important to check the blanket often and change to a dry blanket when the blanket is wet. Never leave a blanket on that is wet and take off when the weather is above freezing. Warm clean water is vital for donkeys in the winter as donkeys will drink more water when it is warm and clean in the winter.

Parasite Control

Please do fecal samples with your vet. Over worming destroys the immune system and can cause resistant parasites worms. I have one donkey on my farm that has resistance to Ivermectin. Nothing I can do to stop it. I have tried for the past five years. Since this donkey lives with his donkey buddy’s all the donkeys are constantly gaining parasite counts. I can never let this group of donkeys into a pasture the other donkeys or horses use or the parasites would spread to the entire farm. Resistant parasites are a huge problem as people worm every other month, destroying the immune system. I send fecal samples to my vet in the spring and fall. My vet tells me what wormer to use. Select De-worming for a healthy equine.

Diet

Tested hay 10% or lower in sugar and protein is highly recommended. Test hay at Equine Analytical Lab . For donkeys who have few teeth left a mash is recommended it is important to ensure the sugar and protein content is 10% or lower and portion control is recommended to prevent obesity. Do not feed straw to donkeys with few teeth (all forage including straw must be tested). Obesity in donkeys causes a slow and painful death. Clean warm water is a must. Donkeys will drink more water when it is clean and warm in the winter. I give free choice lose coarse lose salt. Salt should have no selenium if your hay has selenium testing hay is important.

Hay Mash – Hay Pellets

Use for donkeys that have limited teeth or gum problems can not eat dry hay or straw. Standlee Orchard Hay Pellets work best made to be the consistency of oat meal. Miniature donkeys get one cup in the morning and one cup in the evening. Standard Donkeys two cups in the morning and two cups in the evening.

All forage (hay or straw) must be tested to come in 10% or lower in NCS sugar and protein. I feed orchard here in the PNW. Timothy is safe if no alfalfa and you have tested as timothy, teff and orchard can get really high in sugar. If your senior donkey has a hard time chewing you can soak but do not leave soaking too long. Senior Feed look for low sugar in small amounts once a day will help too. I use the Hay Pillow https://www.thehaypillow.com/ as this slows down digestion and prevents parasites. I place mine in the shelter inside a plastic slow feeder. This is a wonderful way to keep the fuel moving for donkeys without getting too fat and or colic. Senior feed (small amount in the morning and at night) will help. Make sure to find low sugar. I would do my best to maintain the weight all year in lieu of gaining in the summer. The donkey needs to stay healthy all year long.

I hope this helps,

Melody Johnson

www.donkeywhisperer.com

May 8th Is World Donkey Day

May 8, 2019 / Donkey Whisperer Farm ® / Leave a comment

Donkey Whisperer Farm ®

May 4, 2019July 16, 2019 / 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

ON DONKEY TIME

August 8, 2018May 20, 2019 / Donkey Whisperer Farm ® / Leave a comment

ON DONKEY TIME ® GROUP Select FB https://www.facebook.com/groups/ONDONKEYTIME/

members from all over the world!

GROUP RULES ARE IMPORTANT, WE HAVE CHILDREN ON HERE. WELCOME! Welcome to On Donkey Time ™. On Donkey Time ™ is a social media platform where donkey owners and enthusiasts learn ideas and information related to donkey care, training and donkey health. We are glad to have you in our group! Created by Melody Johnson, Donkey Whisperer Farm ™. Our six donkeys and two horses are the reason this group exists. Rio Johnson is our Mammoth donkey he is the Ambassador for the Mammoth donkey. On Donkey Time is our business logo, Rocket Man sitting down. We at Donkey Whisperer Farm, LLC train the owner or caretaker how to train the donkey using resistance free methods. “On Donkey Time” is a place where like minded people come to share their experiences. A place where life is slow and relaxed. So enjoy your time here and be nice, share why you love donkeys, mules and horses.

The Donkey Whisperer Farm makes the best fitting and quality donkey soft yacht rope halter/lead line in the world! Our halters will fit your donkey perfectly. Made to fit the donkey not the horse.

Riding Reins split or looped. Select our store to order http://www.donkeywhisperer.com/onlinestore.htm

Why Train The Owner or Caretaker To Train The Donkey?

August 6, 2018August 6, 2018 / Donkey Whisperer Farm ® / Leave a comment

“Horses Dream of Being Trained The Way A Donkey Demands To Be Trained” Melody Johnson, Trainer Donkey Whisperer Farm

Select Donkey Whisperer Farm Store to order our donkey halter/lead line, Donkey 101 video series and Donkey 102 with our stick and string to touch your donkey never hit the donkey.

Purchase in our Online Store

Donkey Whisperer Training Tool Stick and String

DWF Stick and String

Donkey 102 E-Training Video Series launches our new Donkey Whisperer Farm Training Tool a high quality, ergonomically designed fiberglass stick and string for desensitizing and working intimately with your donkey. It is a mandatory tool for training your donkey to pick up his/her front and back feet and for addressing behavioral issues such as, pushing, crowding, bullying and refusing to come and lead. This tool is the key to being a Fair Leader and building a foundation of trust and respect with your donkey.

The DWF Training Tool Stick and String is not a whip and is never used to punish your donkey. The DWF Stick and String is designed for touching, desensitizing and connecting to your donkey. The DWF Stick and String also acts as a safety device, a boundary, if you will, should you have problems with your donkey pulling, pushing, dragging or violating your personal space. At Donkey Whisperer Farm we teach only holistic, resistance-free training methods and design training tools that are compassionate and support you in building a loving partnership with your donkey.

Our DWF Training Tool stick and string comes in two lengths, 3ft for Miniature Donkeys and 4ft for Standard and Mammoth Donkeys. Each stick and string is made from high quality fiberglass and comes in Royal Blue and Deep Purple. The string is a light, soft yacht rope with a leather popper that does not sting or make a whipping sound. The tip of the stick is black stitched leather and double reinforced and will not stick to your donkey’s hair. The handle is black rubber and is ergonomically designed for non-slip comfort. Our DWF Training Tool Stick and String has the Donkey Whisperer Farm logo on the stick. The DWF stick and string is made in the U.S.A and has a lifetime warranty.

We ship worldwide. Shipping is ALWAYS FREE within the United States Contact Us for International Shipping.

Donkey 102 E-Training Video Series with 3ft DWF Training Tool Stick and String. Colors Royal Blue or Deep Purple. $121.00
Donkey 102 E-Training Video Series with 4ft DWF Training Tool Stick and String. Colors Royal Blue or Deep Purple. $127.00

Donkey Whisperer Farm Training Tool 3ft for Miniature Donkeys. Sold separately in Royal Blue and Deep Purple. $36.00
Donkey Whisperer Farm Training Tool 4ft for Standard/Mammoth Donkeys. Sold Separately in Royal Blue and Deep Purple. $39.00

Royal Blue

Deep Purple

Purchase in our Online Store

Did I tell you donkeys are smart not stubborn. Donkeys are visual learners. Adopt a wild donkey and do not be afraid as this is going to be an amazing journey. Your donkey will teach you all about you! Donkeys are healers!

Why train the owner to train the donkey?

The donkey must trust the human before we can train the donkey. Donkeys are thinkers, game players they are not flight equine. This does not mean your donkey will not spook. All donkeys can spook. Many factors come to play when owning a donkey as in all equine the more we can show the donkey we are a fair leader and expose them to our human world the better the donkey will be. Donkeys generally do not enjoy loud music, and chaos. Donkeys are comical and intelligent. “Donkeys are not stubborn they are smart” if your donkey is not learning perhaps it is time for you to learn how to train your donkey.

It’s all about you! Stay ON DONKEY TIME when training your donkey and remember your donkey will learn best when you do not drill. Wait another day and stay consistent in your words, timing and training techniques.

Select Donkey Whisperer Farm Store to order our donkey halter/lead line, Donkey 101 video series and Donkey 102 with our stick and string to touch your donkey never hit the donkey.

I AM SO HAPPY!

August 1, 2018August 6, 2018 / Donkey Whisperer Farm ® / Leave a comment

I am so happy! I get to stay on my farm with my friends while being trained!

My mom bought Donkey 101 and 102 DWF E-Training Video Series!! Check it out at : https://donkeywhisperer.com/onlinetrainingcourse.htm

ONLINE TRAINING COURSES

ROPE HALTERS

TRAINING TOOL STICK AND STRING

REINS/LINES

New!

Introducing Donkey 102 E-Training Video Series

Donkey 102 contains 16 Videos with over 3 hours of training content by trainer Melody Johnson, our new DWF Training Tool Stick and String and an 11 page PDF outlining and highlighting core training points.

The Donkey 102 E-Training Video Series Curriculum is listed below:

We are proud to announce our new Donkey 102 E-Training Video Series now available to all students who have purchased and practiced our Donkey 101 Online Training Course. Donkey 102 E-Training Video Series is for intermediate students and takes an in-depth look into donkey personality, herd mentality, the rescued and traumatized donkey, how to pick up the front and back feet and various other problem solving techniques.

Donkey 102 E-Training Video Series also launches our new Donkey Whisperer Farm Training Tool a high quality, ergonomically designed fiberglass stick and string for desensitizing and working intimately with your donkey. It is an essential tool for training your donkey to pick up his/her front and back feet and for addressing behavioral issues such as, pushing, crowding, bullying and refusing to come and lead. The DWF Training Tool Stick and String is critical in Donkey 102 and is the key to being a Fair Leader and building a foundation of trust and respect with your donkey.

Each Donkey 102 E-training Video Series includes our Donkey Whisperer Farm Training Tool Stick and String. If you have a Miniature Donkey please purchase the course with the 3ft DWF Training Tool Stick and String. If you have a Standard/Mammoth Donkey please purchase the course with the 4ft DWF Training Tool Stick and String. Our DWF Training Tool Stick and String comes in Royal Blue and Deep Purple. Each donkey 102 E-Training Video Series also includes a PDF with step by step bullet points for you to refer to as you view the training videos.

Both Donkey 101 and Donkey 102 E-Training Video Series teaches YOU to train your donkey. A third party trainer cannot help your donkey. Only you can train your donkey because you are the one who is caring for your donkey, sharing life with your donkey and building a strong foundation of trust and respect with your donkey. A third party trainer may gain the respect of your donkey, but he/she comes and goes. As the owner and caretaker, you don’t come and go. You are your donkey’s polestar, so it is you that must gain your donkey’s respect, it is you that must become your donkey’s Fair Leader.

We hope you will take the next step in building a partnership with your donkey. Our vision at the Donkey Whisperer Farm is to teach you, the owner/caretaker, to train your donkey and to provide the tools and education to better the life of your donkey. A large percentage of donkeys that end up at shelters, auctions and slaughter houses have been abandoned because they were difficult to handle or could not be trained.
Our vision is that EVERY donkey find its forever home. Our prayer is that your donkey stays with you forever.

Once purchased, each participant will receive a Welcome E-mail within 24 hours of your purchase. Your DWF Training Tool Stick and String will arrive separately in the mail. The e-mail will include a link to the Donkey 102 PDF and a link to the password protected Donkey 102 E-Training Video Series. Please add info@donkeywhisperer.com to your address book to ensure your Welcome E-mail does not go to spam.

1. Introduction
2. Making a Commitment to Your Donkey
3. Knowing the Signs of Stress and Fear in Your Donkey
4. Donkey Personality: Introvert or Extrovert?
5. Understanding Herd Mentality
6. The Rescued or Traumatized Donkey
7. Endorphins Versus Pain
8. Teaching Your Donkey to Tie and Stand

9. Preparing Your Donkey for the Farrier/Veterinarian
10. Blanketing Your Donkey
11. The New DWF Training Tool Stick and String
12. When Your Donkey Does Not Respect You as a Leader
13. Picking Up Your Donkey’s Front Feet
14. Picking Up Your Donkey’s Back Feet
15. Having Fun with Games and Obstacles
16. Conclusion: Your Donkey is Waiting For You!

Donkey 102 E-Training Video Series

(Does not include our new
Donkey Whisperer Farm Training Tool Stick and String)

$99.99

Donkey 102 E-Training Video Series with
DWF Training Tool Stick and String.

Miniature 3ft Stick and String in
Royal Blue or Deep Purple.

$121.00

Donkey 102 E-Training Video Series with
DWF Training Tool Stick and String.

Standard/Mammoth 4ft Stick and String in Royal Blue or Deep Purple.

$127.00

Purchase in our Online Store

Donkey 101 Online Training Video Course!

Donkey 101 contains 19 Videos with over 1 hour of training content by trainer
Melody Johnson and a 6 page PDF outlining and highlighting core training points.The Donkey 101 Online Training Video Series Curriculum is listed below:

Donkey Whisperer Farm is proud to announce Donkey 101 Online Training Video Course, the first in a series of online training courses By Trainer Melody Johnson. Donkey 101 teaches the fundamentals of resistance-free, natural training for you and your donkey. We offer a holistic training approach that includes insight and guidance into donkey psychology, emotion and behavior. Donkey 101 focuses on unique and proven techniques that train you, the owner, to train your donkey so you and your donkey enjoy a balanced, positive and rewarding relationship. Donkey 101 includes 19 instructional videos and a PDF addressing the topics below. You own lifetime access to your videos!

ALL FOR JUST $59.99!

Introduction
A Small Training Area
Training Tools
On Donkey Time
Building Trust
Three Second Rule
Personal Space
Your Donkey Catches You
Walk-On and Whoa
You are the Leader!

How to Ground Tie
Going in and out of Stalls
Introverts and Extroverts
Backing up
Teaching “Over”
Walk-On, Whoa and Back Up
Donkeys are not Stubborn!
Going in and out of Gates
Taking Your Donkey for a Walk

We recommend each Course participant purchase a Donkey Whisperer Farm Rope Halter. Our rope halters are made in the USA with high quality yacht rope. Visit our ONLINE STORE to purchase your rope halter and the Donkey 101 Online Training Video Course.

Once purchased, each participant will receive a Welcome E-mail within 24 hours of your purchase. The e-mail will include a link to the Donkey 101 PDF and a link to the password protected Donkey 101 Online Training Video Series. You own lifetime access to your video 101 Online Training Course. Please add info@donkeywhisperer.com to your address book to ensure your Welcome E-mail does not go to spam.

Thank you,
Donkey Whisperer Farm
info@donkeywhisperer.com

Go to our Online Store

We look forward to training you to train your donkey!

DWF Rope Halters

Online Training Courses

DWF Reins/Long Lines

Visit our store for a beautiful collection of rope halters and other training tools.

Here you will receive personal training guidance and tools.

Visit our store for a beautiful collection of rope reins, lead lines and long lines.

Donkey Whisperer Farm Trains The Owner/Caretaker To Train The Donkey

June 12, 2018June 12, 2018 / Donkey Whisperer Farm ® / Leave a comment

“The Donkey Whisperer Farm trains the owner or caretaker how to train the Donkey”

Select Our store to see everything we do to help you keep your donkey.

Donkeys are smart not stubborn.

Donkeys need the owner to have a plan and never abuse the donkey.

Donkeys are visual learners

Donkeys need another donkey to live with

Donkeys need great fences and locks

Donkeys are stoic and will not show pain until it is too late. Please call the vet right away if your donkey is sick. Death comes quickly to the donkey due to the fact they did not show their were sick until it was too late.

Donkeys will follow the human they trust and respect. Never a stranger and never an abuser or a treat dispenser. Learn how to be a fair leader to help your donkey live on your farm in peace and harmony.

Donkeys can be difficult to train if the owner does not learn how to train the donkey.

Never abuse a donkey

Never send the donkey off for training

Be consistent with your donkey

Donkeys do not enjoy loud noises, fairs etc.,

Donkeys demand we pay attention to their self-survival preservation skills

If we ignore the warning signs of stress the donkey will respond as follows;

Fight back (extroverted donkeys)

Not move the feet

Lay down

Kick and or bite

Use their head to hurt you

Run though you

Never chase a donkey!

Learn how to train your donkey to catch you. Check out our E-Training Program Donkey 101 Video On Demand Series.

Donkey 102 will be available early July 2018.

Donkeys are the exotic Desert Equine. Donkeys require a serious diet of low sugar and low protein hay to stay healthy. Shelter and clean water is a must. Donkeys need another donkey to live with to be healthy physically, emotionally and mentally. Donkeys have photographic memories. Donkeys are visual learners. Donkeys require a dry paddock for the majority of their day. Donkeys evolved from the desert. Try creating fences and gates to ensure your donkey gets exercise and eats some green grass for limited amounts of time. Studies have proven if we let our easy keeper equine eat 6:00am to 10:00am the sugar content will be lower in our pastures. Never feed alfalfa hay, grass clippings, bread, or pears, apples to your donkey. A bite of an apple once in a while is safe but too much is going to cause colic. I simply do not feed apples to my donkeys. I love my donkeys and do not want to bury my donkeys. Apples can ferment and there is a chance of colic.

• A male donkey is called a jack.

• ‘Burro’ is the Spanish word for donkey. Wild donkeys in the U.S.A. are called burros.

• A female donkey is called a jenny or jennet.

• A mule is the offspring of a male donkey and a female horse (mare).

• A hinny is the offspring of a male horse (stallion) and a female donkey (jenny).

Donkeys need dry pastures and paddocks as their hooves were made to live in the desert.

GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY TWO AND FOUR-LEGGED!

Donkey Whisperer Farm, LLC

RIO OUR MAMMOTH DONKEY TURNS 12 THIS YEAR – Stands 16’2 hands tall

May 17, 2018May 17, 2018 / Donkey Whisperer Farm ® / 4 Comments

The Donkey Whisperer Farm, LLC sells quality soft yacht rope halters made to fit a donkey’s head not a horse. If you would like to purchase a soft yacht rope halter with the matching lead line, brass screw on snap, leather end. Select our store http://www.donkeywhisperer.com/onlinestore.htm as you can select from 17 colors for your donkey.

Everything about Rio our Mammoth donkey is LARGE. Rio needs a custom fitted halter, saddle, fly mask, you name it. Thank you Rio as you are one of the reasons the Donkey Whisperer Farm, LLC was created. We needed a perfect fitting halter/lead line for you!

Here is Rio as a baby Mammoth donkey.

Do not be fooled! Our lead line is part of the training tool. You need the lead line long enough but not too long, the brass snap to teach your donkey to follow you as a leader along with the leather end. The leather end is a way to touch your donkey.

We custom fit the Mammoth donkeys head, horse, mule, ponies or mini mules for you. Relax and let us help you find the perfect training halter for your equine. We provide Free Shipping in the U.S.A. and we proudly ship worldwide. Our template is easy for you to measure. We sell a LIFETIME WARRANTY as our halters are handmade in the U.S.A. with quality materials. The Donkey Whisperer Farm, LLC rope halter/lead line is a serious training tool. You need to take Donkey 101 E-TRAINING to learn how to train your donkey in combination with the halter. Donkeys naturally push into pressure.

Please never leave any halter on your equine while not in attendance to avoid death or self-mutilation.

Donkey Whisperer Farm Training

May 12, 2018May 12, 2018 / Donkey Whisperer Farm ® / Leave a comment

Select OUR STORE to shop.

Free shipping in the U.S.A. We proudly ship worldwide.

Our donkey halter measurements will fit any mini or standard size donkey age four-months to full-grown. We sell quality handmade soft yacht rope halters with a brass screw on snap, leather end.

The Donkey Whisperer Farm provides outstanding customer service and quality assurance for our customers. We sell the best donkey rope halter with matching lead lines in the world. You will not need another halter or lead line for many, many years to come.

Select Testimonials.

HANDMADE IN THE U.S.A. Quality materials, quality halter for a perfect fit. The perfect rope halter will help your donkey learn to give to pressure without any abuse.

Dirty?

Wash in a bucket of warm soapy water and let dry. Yacht rope will never mold.

Shipping is Free in the U.S.A. We proudly ship worldwide.

Build a custom fit halter with matching lead line.

We will teach you how to measure the head. Our contractor will hand make your custom fit halter with matching soft yacht rope, a brass screw on snap and leather end.

E-Training “Donkey 101” Take Melody Johnson to the farm with you via your smart device.

Introducing Donkey 101 Online Training Video Course!

ALL FOR JUST $59.99!

Introduction
A Small Training Area
Training Tools
On Donkey Time
Building Trust
Three Second Rule
Personal Space
Your Donkey Catches You
Walk-On and Whoa
You are the Leader!