Wednesday, May 08, 2024

Today is World Donkey Day, celebrating that most worthwhile companion animal and hard worker if you know how to train one. Over the years, I’ve attempted, and always in vain, to train my donkey, Pimmy. Instead, she’s taught me. I finally understood that a donkey is very different from a horse.

They’re closely related. Donkeys and horses share many distinct physical and behavioral characteristics but are very different to train. Unfortunately, donkeys are stereotyped as stubborn but are very intelligent and typically more cautious than horses.

Donkeys don’t particularly trust new things, which makes training them difficult. Horses basically are willing to do what’s asked, but not a donkey. A donkey needs to comprehend why it’s doing something. Otherwise, it participates unwillingly and escapes training situations as soon as possible.

I learned all that by wanting Pimmy to learn to pull a cart. Cart training began with me using a long lead rope and guiding haltered Pimmy to walk in circles. She refused to walk in useless circles; she never “got it.” Finally, I gave up.

To be truthful, “our problem” more was mine. I lacked the patience to keep Pimmy going until she became more accepting. That taught me that “if you can” when training a donkey is highly related to a trainer’s patience.

Pimmy is bonded to her horses, is loyal, and follows them everywhere. She’s also very alert and protective. Our donkey is a wonderful pet.

Dear Friends: Voting on World Donkey Day for lots more years with sweet Pimmy. Diana