http://forum.horsetopia.com Use this area to discuss donkeys, mules, and anything else with long ears! en Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:49:59 GMT vBulletin 60 http://forum.horsetopia.com/images/misc/rss.jpg http://forum.horsetopia.com http://forum.horsetopia.com/long-ear-chat/118654-mule-owners.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 04:28:22 GMT I see several donkey owners here, any mule owners? I see several donkey owners here, any mule owners? ]]> Long Ear Chat smoothmule http://forum.horsetopia.com/long-ear-chat/118654-mule-owners.html http://forum.horsetopia.com/long-ear-chat/118603-teaching-donkey-jump.html Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:21:35 GMT Does anyone have any idea how to train a donkey to jump?

I've been checking out some websites for donkey pictures and have seen a number of pictures of donkey's going over fences on a long line.

I think this would be tremendously fun to teach my donkey to do but, wouldn't even know where to start.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. ]]> Long Ear Chat chalsall http://forum.horsetopia.com/long-ear-chat/118603-teaching-donkey-jump.html http://forum.horsetopia.com/long-ear-chat/118264-get-hooved-mule-kawasaki-mule.html Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:17:38 GMT Hi gang, intro post :} I write since in some year(s) I hope to move out to a friends farm and start life over again as an organic micro-farmer.... Hi gang, intro post :}

I write since in some year(s) I hope to move out to a friends farm and start life over again as an organic micro-farmer. Originally I budgeted in buying some kind of utility vehicle, like a Rhino or similar for carting around the farm. Lately I've been thinking about getting two mules instead. Money is crucial and I'm not sure which is cheaper at the moment, that's a thread all it's own. In a perfect world, from what I know so far, I'd prefer to have some mules: a Ranger would be big fun but mules would be more of a life experience. Getting older, I now know not to pass up experiences!

The big question mark is equine time and skill. I'm burning through my first mule book and have -no- equine time at all, aside tours of Grant's Farm and donkey rides south of the border. But if I get my act together, I can get a year or two of volunteer work in at a therapeutic horsemanship gig outside of town. This will probably be walking a horse for an hour while a patient rides her. Best is that I'd pay nothing to do this and it helps people out.

Does the therapeutic horsemanship gig sound like something I should go after? Will the experience help prepare me for mules? Anxious to hear what you think. Thanks in advance for any help :} ]]> Long Ear Chat jefm http://forum.horsetopia.com/long-ear-chat/118264-get-hooved-mule-kawasaki-mule.html http://forum.horsetopia.com/long-ear-chat/118236-corn-cobs.html Thu, 05 Nov 2009 02:09:44 GMT I had a question for you fellow donkey/mule lovers. Has anyone ever fed their animals corn cobs? My donkey is on my grandparents farm. Well my... I had a question for you fellow donkey/mule lovers. Has anyone ever fed their animals corn cobs? My donkey is on my grandparents farm. Well my grandma insists on giving Jaxson corn cobs! To me that just scares me too death. I would think he would choke on them. Dont you guys think so? I told her not to give him anything like that anymore at least until I could do some research. But im almost 100% sure she will not listen to me. So I am worried about him. What do you guys think about it? ]]> Long Ear Chat StefanieLeann14 http://forum.horsetopia.com/long-ear-chat/118236-corn-cobs.html http://forum.horsetopia.com/long-ear-chat/117909-question-re-weaning.html Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:23:07 GMT So, my friend's new donkey finally had her baby last weekend, a little girl. Mom and baby are doing well, but owner is very inexperienced:eek: and has a few questions:

1. is it normal for the mother to have a small udder? (I haven't seen it, or have pics yet). The udder does seem soft.

2. The vet reduced the grain, donkey mom got bitchy, owner increased grain, donkey is happier. Is there a recommended/safe grain mix for new mom donkeys?

3. The vet (a horse vet) told the owner to wean the baby at 4 months. Other sources tell the owner to wait to as old as 9 months. Is there a norm? ]]> Long Ear Chat Larwoodgal http://forum.horsetopia.com/long-ear-chat/117909-question-re-weaning.html http://forum.horsetopia.com/long-ear-chat/117854-pic-first-ride-mammoth-jack.html Mon, 26 Oct 2009 01:58:19 GMT Adam's coming right along with the program.
Saddled him up tonight an just jumped onboard.
He's getting more used to me on his back and I am now sitting
around two or three minutes at a time.

Not the first time on his back, but the first time longer than 30 seconds.
Had my wife take this, but it was getting dark and she didn't hold it steady
enough! Oh well, you get the picture. He's tied to the tree, and I will start to work with him in the corral in a couple of weeks depending on how much time I can work him, and how he is progressing.

Next time will clip some reins on his halter and work with his head a little while mounted.

Just a single cinch light synthetic saddle, thick blanket. No crupper or breast yet. It fits good and doesn't move too much when mounting, but it might shift when we finally get going.
]]> Long Ear Chat HighValleyRanch http://forum.horsetopia.com/long-ear-chat/117854-pic-first-ride-mammoth-jack.html http://forum.horsetopia.com/long-ear-chat/117841-winter-dry-lot-vs-small-pasture.html Sun, 25 Oct 2009 17:09:26 GMT Hi all!

We have a mini jack and a mini jenny... They spent the summer with my 2 horses in a large summer pasture. My son's gelding pony and our yearling spent the summer at home in a smaller pasture. (The pony can't have much grass and the yearling needed ground work)

Here's the problem.... the pony and the mini jack don't get along. We just brought the ones in summer pasture home yesterday. The pony and the jack took off fighting right away. Today I tried to break up a huge knock out/ drag out fight and only managed to do so when I went to get the garden hose. I have temporarily put the pony in the round pen. In past years, they have managed to call a truce eventually with only the occasional fight. But I worry that the pony is getting older AND that the pony is now launching preemptive strikes. When we brought the donkeys home yesterday I had gotten about 3 ft into the pasture with the mini jack and the pony lunged at the donkey with teeth and hooves flying. I somehow managed not to get hurt while making the pony back off and keeping the donk from retaliating. (It's a good thing he is so small)

What I was thinking of doing is making a 20ft x 80ft run for the donkeys attached to the barn at one end so that they have stall access for the winter. Do you think this is too small of space for a couple of mini donks? I could just put the jack in there and not the jenny but I think they are happier together.

Thanks for any input! ]]> Long Ear Chat Chic http://forum.horsetopia.com/long-ear-chat/117841-winter-dry-lot-vs-small-pasture.html