Some of you may recall that over a year ago we did the lend/lease bit with three donkeys. We loaned them to our friend Andrew to help maintain his landscaping on a three acre plot. We kept two donkeys and a llama for our five acre spread. We knew they could handle it because they were assisted by legions of chickens and ducks (and two geese at the time) who confused lawn maintenance with the wartime "scorched earth policy".
Things went well at Andrew's site for some time. Then the propensity of Sugar (who Andrew's daughter renamed Elvis) for mischief manifested itself. He delighted in spilling the contents of the trash can and became skilled at dragging it from it's (non)secure place and taking off the top. He also learned to sharpen his teeth on the trailing edge of the trunk of Andrew's Honda. We went through some alternatives (since he still had three acres of grass) and I had thought that he wanted them for the rest of the year.
Things went well at Andrew's site for some time. Then the propensity of Sugar (who Andrew's daughter renamed Elvis) for mischief manifested itself. He delighted in spilling the contents of the trash can and became skilled at dragging it from it's (non)secure place and taking off the top. He also learned to sharpen his teeth on the trailing edge of the trunk of Andrew's Honda. We went through some alternatives (since he still had three acres of grass) and I had thought that he wanted them for the rest of the year.
In the meantime I built this trailer which you will find here: http://www.grangerlandrfd.com/the-do-whatever-project.html
Things achieved a critical mass when Elvis knocked Andrew's motorcycle over. That same day I was taking Sally to the airport for a family emergency. I dropped by the Vets Office and found that the earliest I could get Cruz in for his organ donation (gelding) was the fifteenth. That meant I couldn't really bring his mother and half sister home yet.
Since Elvis had been gelded, I knew he wouldn't become pregnant. Also, he was the one responsible for the situation. We decided to bring him home and see how the girls behaved.
I was to meet Andrew during the morning. As I was pulling from my driveway to go to his house I got a phone call. It was from a hearing impaired neighbor that I had promised a ride to the disability office. Out of the truck and into the car. I am not surprised. I knew about it before but my calendar or, at the least the person who operates it best was in Florida.
I contacted Andrew and told him I could probably handle the job alone but would he tie Elvis to something. He did.
Things achieved a critical mass when Elvis knocked Andrew's motorcycle over. That same day I was taking Sally to the airport for a family emergency. I dropped by the Vets Office and found that the earliest I could get Cruz in for his organ donation (gelding) was the fifteenth. That meant I couldn't really bring his mother and half sister home yet.
Since Elvis had been gelded, I knew he wouldn't become pregnant. Also, he was the one responsible for the situation. We decided to bring him home and see how the girls behaved.
I was to meet Andrew during the morning. As I was pulling from my driveway to go to his house I got a phone call. It was from a hearing impaired neighbor that I had promised a ride to the disability office. Out of the truck and into the car. I am not surprised. I knew about it before but my calendar or, at the least the person who operates it best was in Florida.
I contacted Andrew and told him I could probably handle the job alone but would he tie Elvis to something. He did.
This is Elvis nee Sugar. Andrews daughter thought his sideburns were just too cool. I think she is very clever.
He was a good enough donkey that I almost did not geld him. Eeyore and the girls made me realize the foolish way I was thinking as there were two more on the way while he was still nursing.
You can see my tactic here. There is no pressure on his face, just the halter. In this picture I have two ropes on him. Since I am no longer as strong as a donkey (actually never was), there is a come along (portable hand winch) on the larger rope. Still he refused to stay on the tailgate. Didn't want to break his neck so this required some thought.
He was a good enough donkey that I almost did not geld him. Eeyore and the girls made me realize the foolish way I was thinking as there were two more on the way while he was still nursing.
You can see my tactic here. There is no pressure on his face, just the halter. In this picture I have two ropes on him. Since I am no longer as strong as a donkey (actually never was), there is a come along (portable hand winch) on the larger rope. Still he refused to stay on the tailgate. Didn't want to break his neck so this required some thought.
I know it might be tough to believe but sometimes Sally tells me that I have built something wrong. I wanted this trailer because of the tailgate. She told me that the donkeys wouldn't like it because it was too shaky.
I have now loaded donkeys in a trailer three times and twice was in a stock trailer with a very sturdy tailgate. They hated them all. This works well for wheelbarrows and dollies so I chose well enough.
I forgot to mention a cardinal rule when getting donkeys to do something.
I have now loaded donkeys in a trailer three times and twice was in a stock trailer with a very sturdy tailgate. They hated them all. This works well for wheelbarrows and dollies so I chose well enough.
I forgot to mention a cardinal rule when getting donkeys to do something.
That rule is that you absolutely must succeed. After that they will trust you and follow you. Let them win and you are toast. Do not ask me how I know.
The trick here was to put three ropes on and take the tailgate off. He climbed in when he realized he was being inexorably moved towards the hay. At some point he knew he liked that idea. I knew only one thing. When Andrew (who has been his human for over a year) tied him, I knew I was going to get him loaded. A second bale of hay occupied his aunt and his sister. This one was all his and he knew it. I think I have this job down pat now. Of course when you know one donkey, you know one donkey.
The other day I got upset when the newspapers called a 62 year old woman "elderly". She may qualify for a senior discount at a restaurant but I don't find it old. I do think though that by the time you hit your seventies you should be doing less strenuous stuff. My answer probably should be to buy an electric winch. I won't. The come along is paid for and strong enough to load a car onto a tow dolly.
The trick here was to put three ropes on and take the tailgate off. He climbed in when he realized he was being inexorably moved towards the hay. At some point he knew he liked that idea. I knew only one thing. When Andrew (who has been his human for over a year) tied him, I knew I was going to get him loaded. A second bale of hay occupied his aunt and his sister. This one was all his and he knew it. I think I have this job down pat now. Of course when you know one donkey, you know one donkey.
The other day I got upset when the newspapers called a 62 year old woman "elderly". She may qualify for a senior discount at a restaurant but I don't find it old. I do think though that by the time you hit your seventies you should be doing less strenuous stuff. My answer probably should be to buy an electric winch. I won't. The come along is paid for and strong enough to load a car onto a tow dolly.
I did think Red and Princess would show more emotion when he left. Guess the way to their hearts is also through their stomachs.
Oops. I was wrong. Love wins out.
I was just real proud of myself so I sent this picture to Andrew (who was not there) when I was done. That's a selfie (first one I ever remember taking) with the back window of the 4runner and the trailer holding Elvis.
Home at last.
Now the first time these guy's dad (Eeyore) met feathers, he showed him what a genuine whupping was like.
He did not understand that feathers was gelded and not interested in competing for control of his herd.
When two male donkeys fight, the one with the testosterone normally wins.
That presented as a dilemma. Cruz was slightly larger and still contained testosterone. Elvis, however, is not a miniature and inclined, to take any guff. It's really hard to overstate the damage that could be done it these two young males decided to fight for control of the yard.
Elvis is perhaps three now. For those with calendar like minds and FWB connections, he was born the first day of the state meeting at Sugarland. Therefore, the name he started with - Sugar.
Here you see Cruz smelling. He was about a year old when Elvis departed. I felt they would remember each other. Also, the girls had been gone since before Cruz was old enough to understand the birds and the bees. No real time to generate those herd sire instincts. That was my hope.
He did not understand that feathers was gelded and not interested in competing for control of his herd.
When two male donkeys fight, the one with the testosterone normally wins.
That presented as a dilemma. Cruz was slightly larger and still contained testosterone. Elvis, however, is not a miniature and inclined, to take any guff. It's really hard to overstate the damage that could be done it these two young males decided to fight for control of the yard.
Elvis is perhaps three now. For those with calendar like minds and FWB connections, he was born the first day of the state meeting at Sugarland. Therefore, the name he started with - Sugar.
Here you see Cruz smelling. He was about a year old when Elvis departed. I felt they would remember each other. Also, the girls had been gone since before Cruz was old enough to understand the birds and the bees. No real time to generate those herd sire instincts. That was my hope.
Here you see Cruz ducking and Elvis kicking the tailgate which was as close as he could get to Cruz's nose.
Exciting, right Cruz?
Feathers in the background thinks these youngsters are nuts. I agree but think there will be a new contestant in King of the Mountain tomorrow. That's a little game Cruz and Hershey have been playing on the mountain seen in the last two pictures.
Exciting, right Cruz?
Feathers in the background thinks these youngsters are nuts. I agree but think there will be a new contestant in King of the Mountain tomorrow. That's a little game Cruz and Hershey have been playing on the mountain seen in the last two pictures.
They were like this when I left. Two donkeys and a llama wondering how this (sorta) new guy arrived and where he had been. There were also legions of ducks and chickens who were wondering what the excitement was and I am serious about that. I needed to get lost and give these guys about two hours to get acquainted.
It was three and rain was predicted at six. I had my schedule.
It was three and rain was predicted at six. I had my schedule.
When I returned there was another individual heard from. This is Indy. He is mama's pampered dog. He had heard enough excitement outside that he had to participate.
He barreled through the door when I got home and before I could let Elvis loose. Running dogs excite donkeys so this was not good.
I took my chances and handed out grain, loosed Elvis and liberated my truck and trailer. The very next thing was to offer Indy a ride. He never refuses.
He barreled through the door when I got home and before I could let Elvis loose. Running dogs excite donkeys so this was not good.
I took my chances and handed out grain, loosed Elvis and liberated my truck and trailer. The very next thing was to offer Indy a ride. He never refuses.
This is Bob, the head of ranch security. When Indy gets loose he becomes Bob the incessant barker. That excites donkeys even more.
Donkeys who are uneasy. One dog running and one dog barking. Neighbor kids in the yard who were laughing and shouting because Kelly was shoveling dirt onto a trailer and they had probably never seen someone make an actual effort to landscape before.
They followed him like he was the pied piper of Hamblin.
When I retrieved Indy and tied him outside he joined Bob barking.
Donkeys who are uneasy. One dog running and one dog barking. Neighbor kids in the yard who were laughing and shouting because Kelly was shoveling dirt onto a trailer and they had probably never seen someone make an actual effort to landscape before.
They followed him like he was the pied piper of Hamblin.
When I retrieved Indy and tied him outside he joined Bob barking.
Elvis ran around and explored. He figured out where the water was (same place he left it) and generally settled in.
They all played some and he figured out that he liked his new (old) playmates. Then he found the leavings of the grain.
They all played some and he figured out that he liked his new (old) playmates. Then he found the leavings of the grain.
Then I gave out more grain. They shared it like Elvis had never been gone.
I don't know what tomorrow brings but today is apparently ending well.
Edit: Tomorrow brought a show of teeth and a couple kicks. Cruz still manages food distribution with whichever pile of grain he desires coming to him. Elvis was not shy with kicking back which is a defensive position. With a strong enough defense there will be less teeth. In 2-3 weeks we will bring Red and Princess home and the transition will be complete. Then I suppose I will be faced with the hard proposition of thinning the herd a bit. Seeing their behavior I think they will make excellent pasture guards.
I don't know what tomorrow brings but today is apparently ending well.
Edit: Tomorrow brought a show of teeth and a couple kicks. Cruz still manages food distribution with whichever pile of grain he desires coming to him. Elvis was not shy with kicking back which is a defensive position. With a strong enough defense there will be less teeth. In 2-3 weeks we will bring Red and Princess home and the transition will be complete. Then I suppose I will be faced with the hard proposition of thinning the herd a bit. Seeing their behavior I think they will make excellent pasture guards.
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