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LTR Training Tip #55: Lunging Multiple Equines
It’s easy to lunge multiple animals when they are all trained the same way with sequential, logical and purposeful training practices. Learn what you and your equines need to know to lunge together safely and successfully!
LTR Training Tip #54: Setting Up for Successful Lunging
Know when your equine is ready to start working on lunging, and how to best set them up for success.
CHASITY’S CHALLENGES: Maintaining a Happy Donkey: 3-2-20
When Chasity first arrived, we needed to keep her in quarantine, away from the other animals for a minimum of two weeks. Over the past 41 years, we altered our facility to an all-steel facility. Reduced maintenance costs enabled us to proceed converting from wood and wire to steel until we completed the process. This has greatly reduced the overall maintenance costs for the entire ranch, enabling us to purchase steel panels for the barn runs. It was easy to quarantine Chasity safely and still allow her company (at a distance, of course!) and an introduction to her future stable mate, Wrangler. About every five years, we do have to spray paint the panels to keep them looking new, but this is a small price to pay for a happy donkey!
Once out of quarantine, Chasity and Wrangler were stabled next to each other. All of our runs are bedded with four inches of pea gravel. This promotes good drainage and keeps things from getting muddy. This, in turn, provides a hard surface for good hoof health and will not chip their feet because of its rounded shape. Each of our donkeys is given a soccer ball for play in the smaller areas. The ground surface is also soft and comfortable enough for them to lie down without causing shoe boils or sores. They learn to come by calling them to the end of the runs and rewarding with oats.
The mini donkeys’ pens are the same way, as is the road around the sandy dressage arena where they can also be turned out in the larger dirt area when it is not in use. They really enjoy a good roll in the sand.
Donkeys are desert animals and can easily become obese when exposed to green pastures. I only take my donkeys out to pasture to play with me.
My 60’ x 180’ indoor arena is lined with steel panels. I have a 45’ Round Pen at one end with obstacles inside the side gates around the south end. The enclosed area makes for good obstacle training with minimal distractions. Round Pen work and turnout in the open area during bad weather is completely safe and NON-DESTRUCTIVE!
At first, Chasity would not come to me at the stall door, but after being chased once into the stall to be haltered, she soon gave in easily. I always halter in exactly the same way, in the same place. They love routine.
The oats reward assures that she will repeat the behavior. After only one lesson, she now comes to me every time to be haltered. For clean, dry stalls, we bore a 2’ wide x 4’ deep hole in the center, fill it with 1 ½” rock, cover it with four inches of pea gravel and put rubber mats on top. The pea gravel is held in with 2” x 6” boards bordered by angle iron.
Since we had no animals in the north stalls, we took down the panels and made a large turnout area bedded in four inches of pea gravel for Wrangler and Chasity. It was plenty large enough to romp and play…and not get muddy!
When I am out and about the barn, I reinforce Wrangler and Chasity’s will, as well as all the others, to come to me for their oats reward. We keep bulk rock, pea gravel and structural fill in bays behind the indoor arena.
When the equines are in turnout, we replenish the pea gravel as needed with the Skidsteer.
Wrangler and Chasity, our miniature donkeys Augie & Spuds, miniature mule Francis and miniature horse Mirage also have alternate access to a very large 2 ½ acre dirt pen…Large Standard donkeys one day, miniatures the next.
When it is dry, they can take turns on alternate days in the larger area to stretch their legs and buck to their hearts desire. They do not seem to miss being in the pasture with this kind of management and they really do stay very healthy. We have no incidence of colic, founder, abscesses, skin irritations, rashes or obesity.
LTR Training Tip #53: Use of the Whip During Lunging
The whip is used in lunging to create movement and encourage impulsion in the equine and should never be used in an abusive manner. Learn how to use it the RIGHT way in Meredith’s latest training tip!
LTR Training Tip #52: Verbal Commands and Body Language
It is important to learn the elements of good communication through verbal commands and body language. You’ll find an equine who is willing to comply when he understands what you are asking!
LTR Training Tip #51: Adjusting Tack & Equipment
Once you’ve chosen the appropriate tack for your equine, make sure it is adjusted properly so your equine is comfortable and responsive.
LTR Training Tip #49: Free Lunging in the Round Pen
Introduce your equine to lunging training with “free lunging” without tack or equipment in the round pen.
LTR Training Tip #48: Preparation for Lunging
Is your equine ready to start lunging training? Ask yourself these questions before beginning.
LTR Training Tip #47: Side Passing the T
Side passing the “T” is an advanced move, and a good challenge for testing your equine’s lateral abilities.
LTR Training Tip #46: When Stage Two Leading Lessons Aren’t Working
If leading lessons aren’t working, try asking yourself these questions to figure out what’s going wrong.
LTR Training Tip #45: Leading Through Lateral Obstacles
After your equine has mastered moving straight through obstacles, try some of the obstacles that require lateral movement.
LTR Training Tip #44: Leading Through Straight-Forward Obstacles
Learn how to lead your equine through forward obstacles in order to instill confidence and turn your equine’s fear into curiosity.
LTR Training Tip #43: Teaching Your Equine to Stand Still
Whether or not your equine is calm enough to really stand still depends on all the lessons he has had and how they were executed.
LTR Training Tip #42: Leading Purposefully at the Walk and Trot
Leading with purpose will keep your equine’s responses attentive, prompt and smooth.
LTR Training Tip #41: Turn on the Forehand
Meredith demonstrates how to teach your equine to execute a turn-on-the-forehand on the lead line.
LTR Training Tip #40: Turn on the Haunches
The turn on the haunches can be a complicated move for your equine. Learn how to approach the move in this Training Tip.
LTR Training Tip #39: Showmanship Patterns
If you are going to attend a show, it is advisable to get a copy of the rulebook that is designated by the show committee, so you know what to expect for each class you enter.