How to get a donkey to cross a bridge
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- Опубликовано: 1 июн 2017
- Donkeys and mules learn differently than horses and react to pressure differently. A donkey will brace against pressure and will baulk if they believe what they are about to do will cause them harm. If a donkey has been outfitted with a nylon webbing halter it can be difficult or next to impossible to get them to comply. Using a come-a-long hitch (a 25', two-strand nylon, waxed lariat) and placing it about 2" up from the nose and along the pole behind the ears can be very helpful in teaching a donkey or mule how to "listen" while on the lead. They will protect their nose before they will protect any other part of their body. A good wrangler or trainer can exploit this aspect of the donkey or mule persona. Using the come-a-long hitch properly can cut training times down significantly.
If you liked the video, have questions or would like to offer a technique that works for you please leave a comment. Thanks for watching! 
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For a minute there I thought the donkey was filming a video titled 'How to Keep Man From Crossing Bridge.' Appreciate your patience and the video.
Perfect example of why patience and humility are virtues.
poco a poco tranquilo
Tell him he is not allowed to cross the bridge. He will go then.
I switched to Donkeys several years ago, and man I had fits.. nothing like a horse.. if that donkey doesn't trust you 100%.. They will not do anything.. and if they trust you that donkey will get on top of the barn if you'd ask it too... like your video like your patience..
Drama Free Farms -I’ve seen riding Mules I believe, big as a horse and well behaved.
Good riders.
"I can come back a year from now and he'll still cross this bridge. Once he's done it; he's got it." Nice!! =D This was a wonderful training video illustration how patience pays off so beautifully with donkeys.
As he mentioned, after he cross the bridge first time , he will remember all his life and will cross fearless. A very underrated animal !
this is the best video ever. Who doesn't love a donkey?
I realize this is many years late, but I’m pretty sure Lord Farquaad doesn’t love donkeys.
You must be a very patient person. I guess all animal lovers usually are. Thank you for posting. Praise God for giving you patience.
Yesss
That was very well done and is very useful. I have two mini mules who have taught me that I am not half as smart as I thought I was.
frank These animals have a way of making us humble. 😄
frank ll
I feel nothing but envy when I see someone with a mule, donkey or burro. (Two of those are the same thing I believe) In the '90s I had 1.5 Ha (5 acres) of Pacific Ocean beachfront (500' frontage) on a remote peninsula in Costa Rica. The peninsula was 14 km (9 miles) long with a wandering road running it's length, and parallel (sort of) to the beach. That road was surveyed and laid out by donkeys, over a few generations. They got all the little twists and bends to meander around trees and curves just right. Some spoiled brat with his Mom's BMW wasn't paying attention one night and T-boned a Palm Tree... thinking all roads should look like a straight line drag strip. Looking at the car with the giant "V" punched into it's hood almost back to the windshield made me think fondly, of the donkeys.
Good work buddy. Minimum amount of strain on the animal in order to get him to cooperate. Admirable.
donkey's are so cute, their ears make me especially happy
Summoner Stripclub so you're actually into real fur? I feel sick.
And their beautiful eyes, and long eyelashes, and big soft lips 'n' noses, and careful footin'.
oook👄💓💜
Really liked this and the way you encouraged the donkey, but didn’t it deserve a pat for doing a good job?
I am often humbled at how these animals chose to trust us and do what we ask. And try to never take it for granted. Such a gift.
This donkey was not trusting.. The donkey was forced to cross
His reward was letting off the pressure. That’s how you train them. A pat would not have been nearly as effective.
That lil Donkey actually looked PROUD when he got to the other side .🤠🖖
Just A Lovely lil Creature.
A man once told me a mine near him closed and sold the mules to local farmers. Mules had been used to pull coal cars from the mines. But, when an adjoining mine blew the whistle for the end of the shift, the mules would quit working for the day to the frustration of the farmers. The mules would not relent.
This is a great story. Thanks! (From city folk)
@@p_roduct9211 that is a great story .(Farm girl)
😂😂😂
he didn't know who made that bridge or if he could support his weight. I could almost see the look on his face as he tested with his first steps - like, "okay, this is solid, well made" once his hind legs were on it- it was all systems go. Good to know that once they learn a lesson, they don't forget. I never knew that about donkeys. But was he able to tell his companion, the bridge was safe? Donkey looks very well cared for - I enjoyed watching this.
They are smart! Not stubborn, bur cautious. Once they verify and understand, they have excellent memory for a situation.
Mary - thanks for seeing the donkey's caution exactly as l did. Many humans have no capacity to put themselves in an animals shoes to understand WHY they are scared or cautious of first time or risky situations. As we know, when an animal is reluctant, there is very good reason. Humans can learn more from animals' instincts than the other way round. 🥰
Thank you for sharing this, I like your patience with him and you are a good leader.
It's a pleasure to watch a real man of integrity not being abusive. Thank You! I hope you have many off spring! lol
thanks for sharing this. We have had harness race horses for many years and trained them but things are different with our pet mammoth. She requires more patience and time to think. That was made apparent to me when we first unloaded her here on our farm and she stood stock still and looked around, and it was only the second time this young girl had ever shipped.You obviously understand and respect their natural responses to go slow and think and dig in when stressed, very different from a horse who is more than likely to dance away, rear up, and in general create a bit of havoc before learning to cross that bridge. I have to make that halter/training aide. Thanks again. and for those who suggest a whip, you only use a whip if it's on yourself.
Thanks for the comments! Whips (or hitting in general) won't work on donkeys. If they believe what they are about to do will injure them they will continue to balk until they learn otherwise. Plus, hitting a donkey can set your training way back because they must learn to trust their handler. Good luck with your mammoth!
Farmwife when I got my donkey I knew nothing about equines and more particularly donkeys. I went for a ride one fine day in the desert and took my book with me to read.
what I didnt realize was he was trained to stop if the reins were dropped. Well, I dropped the reins to read my book, after all we were speeding along at 2 miles an hour, and he stopped right in the middle of the road. I yelled then picked up a big creosote branch and hit him (didn't have a whip). He didn't budge. Finally I hit him so hard with the branch that I poked a big hole in his rear and now he had a wound in that thick shoe leather hide of his. Still didn't budge. I felt bad about making him bleed, but didnt realize I needed to pick up the reins. Finally I got a smaller branch, tapped him lightly on the hocks and he started moving. Thats how I learned about donkeys and whips.
DONKEY CRUELTY HERE--POOR HELPLESS DEFENSELESS DOCILE DONKEY!!
A Great book, The Oregon Trail by Rinker Buck, who with his brother bilt a replica covered wagon several years ago, bought 3 mules/donkeys,I'm not sure of the diff,and drove them pulling the wagon from NJ to Oregon. His parts telling about the crossings of bridges was spot on about how the animals had to be convinced it was safe before they would cross.When I finished reading the book I had a great education about the intelligence of theses creatures.
Horses get a lot of mistaken credit for helping to cross to the west, but Mules/Donkeys, with Oxen were the far majority.Horses required more water ,and feed and didn't like to eat the plains grasses. Read the book. The chapter at the end of their trek where they sold the animals to friends in Idaho is so sad to read, Buck mentions often how he and his brother relied on the intelligence of the animals to help them to take a safer passage
The Oregon Trail by Rinker Buck is written so's I am the trail with him. It was a great trip with the long ears.
Mules are hybrids which have a donkey father and a horse mother, and they inherit qualities from both parent species.
It felt like it took a long time, but in reality it was just a few minutes. A little patience can go a long way! Great video.
My X and I used to haul mules, donkeys, and horses. One time it took us 2 hrs to load a donkey in the trailer! This was in Phoenix in the summer! We were all so sweaty we had to find a place to stop and cool down! That’s a nice size saddle donkey in this video!!
I do better getting my guy to follow when I don't face him. He balks more when I turn back to him. I guess if I have my back to him, it's as if I just expect him to follow, and most of the time he does. But don't we all just tune into Eric's videos for the music anyway? Hahahahaha
When they are balking I generally face them, otherwise it can be difficult to know when to release pressure. Once they are responding correctly I turn my back to them.
I
Like Windymtn. I also kept my back or shoulder to them. They see you have no fear they will follow. But understand the reason for facing them as you did in video.
Yup. True of horses, too.
I had a German Short Hair, (she was a dog of course) and every evening on our walk we would go along the canal and then over a bridge that was kind of like a grate in that you could see through it to the water below. When she finally got used to it she was so proud of herself. I think animals like to learn.
Thanks! I’m having trouble getting my donkey to even leave my pasture, I’ll try this out.
Did it work?
Beautiful mutual respect between human and donkey.
Thank you very much for including donkey info in your videos. I'm always looking for good training tips.
He really checks it out & needs to know that bridge is ok on his terms...such a clever critter!
I think I would have just bought a new donkey on the other side of the bridge. :)
I could see him thinking! Sweet boy! And once he had figured it out - no problem! Your patience was very helpful!
Great video, music, scenery and learning. Now I know why the donkey crossed the bridge-because the right rope halter communicates so well. Subscribed.
Remarkable! Donkey learns a new trick and is happy to repeat it over and over!
Eric, I sure wish I had seen this video prior. My mule will go over almost anything, low bridges no problem but we encountered some high ones over deep gullies and as much as I worked on getting her over she would not. Wouldn’t even follow horses across! I will be going back with your advice and working on it some more. Great video!
Thank you for this video. It shows gentle pressure and release but most of all patience and kindness.
Oh love him!! What an adorable donkey!!
The next time I try to get a donkey across a bridge, I’ll remember this.
Love watching you work with the donkeys. I have trained a lot of hunting dogs. Modern training is gentle and patient. I hope to have mini donkeys one day. I hope to do as well as you and will learn all I can watching your efforts. Thank you.
Patience and kindness work better than anything else!! Great job
Deby Zimmerman Always patience and a light gentle hand on horses, donks and mules.
That was beautiful. Nice saddle, too!
What a lovely wee video, it's interesting how comfortable it becomes after the first time across. No trust issues there :)
Handled the donkey very well, they are great animals. Thank you.
I had no idea that donkeys had a problem with bridges. Great technique.
Happy 2021!
Give that donkey a hug for me.
you are very patient and humane. Bravo.
Soooooo cute, I WANT A DONKEY....love your patience with him/her, God bless you
👍Great job Sir. Interesting. Well trained. More videos please. Thank you.
BEAUTIFUL ANIMALS DONKEYS ARE.
Thanks for sharing that training tip.
Gorgeous animal, slow and careful thinkers.
He is like, but dooo I have to cross the bridge with out my other donkey friend.
Exactly! Donkeys are pretty expressive. We just have to take the time to figure what they are trying to communicate.
Exactly right. There is a way to train the donkey to voluntarily cross a bridge, after all, it doesn't hurt him, his fear is irrational. Coercing anything including people is a mistake, that will bring unintended consequences. We have to stop thinking exclusively about ourselves, and start thinking exclusively about other, living things. Or we'll be gone. Personally when I read the climate change scientists who are flagging 'abrupt change' right now, I see how they could be right but I'm not afraid. It might please me to see the end of this madness, and all the suffering, especially that the animals endure because of us.
60% of the mammals on the planet are 'grown' for our consumption.
Sophia B. Willia
Refuso Ag
Mountain Ridge Geapp
Very sweet donkey! Well loved and cared for, it shows
Nice lookin' Donk! I sure miss our big Donkeys!
Looks like the moment he had all 4 of his hoofs on the wooden planks of the bridge, he realized it was safe to walk on :)
You're a patient but firm sweet heart. How can the donkeys resist? lol ;-)
Donkey are not stubborn.. they have developed a very high sense of self-preservation, on less they feel save .. they will never move .. rope o no rope ...they are extremally intelligent creatures .. .. they can come back 25 years from the day they crossed the bridge and they will remember that it was save 25 years before .. !!
Actually I did start (back in the days when she wouldn't lead and was pretty scared in general) with keeping firm pressure on the lead and releasing it when she yielded the smallest bit - shifted her weight forward or moved one foot. Being a donkey, she's brilliant, and figured out right away what we were doing.
Neat o! Thanks. I never knew donkeys wouldn't like bridges!
Donkeys are so smart!
Wow that’s pretty cool 👍🏼 thank you for sharing
Donkeys don't forget.....just ran across this video. Smart animal.
i know nothing about donkeys (or mules), but wish i did. You have such patience - it's amazing. it's so interesting - the different behaviors amongst closely related animals. anyone need an Auntie? i'd love to live on a ranch for awhile LOL
Donkey thinks the man is scared to cross the bridge on his own.😂
That's great info I never got one of mine to cross a bridge lol
Love this so much!!!
He did well once he realized it was ok! Nice!
Nice video!! Donkey is so cute.
So cool! Thank you 😊
Donkeys aren't stupid.... they are stubborn.... and the stubbornness stems through self security... anything which donkey perceive as dangerous for them, they wouldn't go for it.... but once you build a good repo with them and have their trust, they are as loyal companions as doggos....
Pretty slicko ... good lesson in being patient yet firm. Smart, good-looking donkey; attractively dressed out. Thnx.
thank you this helped alot
Thank you it was so helpful
What a beautiful donkey!! Awww bless him!! 🫏 ❤
Whatever this dude has done in his life to afford him some beautiful land surrounded by beautiful animals is all I need in life.
@3:15 the guy should temp the donkey a carrot LOL
Treats don’t do anything to help a donkey conquer their fears. But, I suppose it makes humans feel better.
Way cool. Love it. There's lots going on in that donkey brain.
This was so so helpful! What do you use when your not train.. like just walking them or doing something there totally fine with.
Thanks again so much!
A donkey farrier told me once: "Donkeys are like a computer, garbage in - garbage out" You are programming your "computer" like a boss! Tension, desired behavior, release. "Computer" is now programmed - works every time... Sweet Donkey too 🐾
Can't you just put a bowl full of donkey food to speed up the process? 😊😊😊 great video! I don't own a donkey but enjoyed your video....super cute donkey. 💚💚💚💚💚
Nice job bud 👍
Great video. Thank you for the info. New subscriber.
over all a good video, though it might be worth giving the donkey a moment to smell the bridge. donkeys benefit from being able to smell new things.
Louise Givens. Many times when a donkey drops his head as he encounters an obstacle it isn’t as much to smell it as it is to get a better look at it. Donkeys can see better when their head is on the vertical such as when they feed. When they are up right their depth perception isn’t that great so they tend to drop their heads to see better see up close.
Whoa! GOOD! Beautiful Donkey!
He doesn't trust that strange surface is safe to hold his weight ⛔ He is SO clever 🤗
Animal survival instinct is not the same as being stubborn. Their eyes are on each side of their head - all 'things' look different than they do to human vision.
That wooden bridge make look like a hole or a ditch to him 🕳
Good job!
That's like me when it's time to do the dishes. Though I usually just end up back in the barn.
Well I’m not a donkey guy I am not a horse guy but I sure enjoyed the video. Hey what’s the name of the great music when he keeps going back-and-forth across the bridge? I love that music!
glad you guys were not being pursued by hostiles!
Dude I want a mammoth jackstock so badly hahaha
looks like pretty country....where do you live.?
Mike Burton my property is near Peyton, CO. I agree, it’s beautiful country.
Makes me wonder if wild donkeys in the west would cross bridges or if they're hemmed in by rivers.
Fantastic!
great video! you're one patient and kind dude. what kind of donkey is this?
Ian Clark Honcho is a mammoth donkey that I found in NM on Craigslist. He’s no special breed. Of all my donks he seems to enjoy being around me the most.
IF the particular mule has a friend among the other mules, having that other mule cross the bridge right in front of him, will sometimes help as well.
Not always, but a little bit of peer pressure seems to work with donkeys. 😁
Yep it's a donkey !!!!! Cool video !!!!!!
Awesome 👏🏼
That donkey got that cowboy to cross that bridge 15 times!!! :) and I used 'THAT' 3 times in one sentence :(
Nice video....
2 questions 1st, how well do they stand cold winter weather,,2nd, how much would a donkey that is trained to ride and pull cost,, thank ya fer the video
russ sherwood on average, they do very well in the cold. They grow a nice, thick coat and don’t generally need a blanket. However, smaller donkeys seem to have a harder time. Cold, wet, windy weather is harder than cold temps. So, shelter is important.
Mammoth donkeys can be hard to find and a finished riding donkey can run into the thousands.
@@mountainridgegear8172 thank ya i was just wondern as i have no, zip zero experience at ridein an i want somethin safe donkeys an mules sound like they woud beperfect as it sound like they wont get in dangrous /hurt full areas, thank ya fer the videos
I’d like to know if the donkey that was behind him as you trained this first donkey To at least check out the bridge and eventually cross it, would be willing to cross now that he saw his companion go, or if you’d have to go through the same process for the subsequent donkey watch the first one cross.
no,she is smart"ain't cross this bridge before I make sure it hold s up"...don't blame her
Wow, horse whisperer 👍🐎