[Garvie]

Hey

 the farm where my boyfriend works has a 2 donkeys a Jenny and her nearly year old foal. the problem is I can not get her to leave her field the furthest I can get her is 10 yards into the cattle shed next to the field when the farrier come to see them and even that's a battle. the foal on the other hand loves his walks around the yard and paths as I am slowly building his confidence up.
they were bought at auction and come from Ireland originally.the Jenny has came on leaps and bounds as before I wasn't able to go anywhere near her back end not even to brush and I didn't dare think about touching her hooves but that is all behind her just can't shift this fear of leaving her field. I think they have both had a very rough life as the foal is missing the tip off of his ear.
if any one can give me hints and tips on how to work on Tessy it would be much appreciated as I am still greenhorn when it comes to donkeys
thanks Garvie

[lachlanandmarcus]

Is she being asked to leave the field with her foal still in it or is foal already out and she still won't come? Also is there a specific aim for her ie is it the end of th world if she will only go to shelter (albeit more willingly than now ideally)?

[Garvie]

foal was out and still refuses she gets her bum out the gate the just spins in circles we have tried food bribes to just sounding confident to try and treasure her even tried walking her and foal together and still get nowhere. not end of the world just makes my job a lot easier when it comes to getting feet scrubbed for farrier and moving field. also for safety reasons as there is a wood that is to get cleared soon and I would like to get them into a different field as noises like that stress her out she still doesn't like the fork lift.

[sabrina]

Sounds to me that the field is her comfort zone and coming out of it means bad things happen. Give her as much time as it takes to assure her that you mean no harm. do everything in the field if possible, grooming and making a fuss of her. When you feel she has made enough progress then try walking her out the field on a long rope. No pulling, let the choice be hers. Small steps will get you further than trying to force her. Her past is the problem.

[luckylady]

I agree with Sabrina, small steps literally.  Praise her when she walks just one or two steps with you and then leave it.  Try again later or the next day just increasing distance slightly each time.  If you feel her starting to get nervous then try to wait where you are until she calms down (if it is safe for you to do so) and then lead her back to the field so that the last thing she remembers about it is that it was ok to be there with you and nothing bad happened.  It will take some time but you'll see the rewards in the end.  Patience and praise is the name of the game.  Only she can work out that walking alongside you is not going to harm her and her trust in you will build.  She may previously have had what she perceives as unkind treatment by someone on reaching her led destination so when you do get there make it a positive experience more often than not, though you probably know all this already.  How long have you been working with her?  It may well just be early days for her trustwise.
We rescued a foal (she's now 3) who was petrified of everything when she arrived.  When she needed her vaccination the vet who came was nasty with her as he didn't have much time - suggested we strap her in future.  Nah ah - never.  We changed vets.  I'm not suggesting your farrier is frightening her, of course, just that she may have had a bad experience previously.  Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.

[SallyintNorth]

I don't know if you're already using 'pressure and release' but it's worked wonders for me with a pony that was fearful of water.

The concept is that you ask for the movement you want, and the instant they give you any kind of a move in that direction, even at first just a slight stretch of the neck towards you, you stop asking.  Then repeat repeat repeat.  And do it all again the next day and the next and the next.  My Fell literally walked into the puddle of his own volition - before I even asked - on the third session! 

It seems to me that once they realise that yielding is pleasant (that gentle but insistant pressure on the lead rope stops) and nothing scary happens, then their natural response to pressure becomes to yield rather than to fight. 

Tessy is lucky to have found such a caring home, I'm sure she will continue to grow in confidence 

[Garvie]

I have been working on her for nearly 9 months Luckylady. she has come on loads I can walk her round her paddock no problem what so ever now she used to see the rope and take off. I think she was beaten at her last home as she was fiery if u went near her back end she is fine now as I have never hit her and she is ok with farrier now also she is a lot younger than she was sold as turns out she is only 3-4 years old so halving the foal would of been stressful. Will get pics of them up soon and will keep up to date on progress

[luckylady]

I have been working on her for nearly 9 months Luckylady. she has come on loads I can walk her round her paddock no problem what so ever now she used to see the rope and take off. I think she was beaten at her last home as she was fiery if u went near her back end she is fine now as I have never hit her and she is ok with farrier now also she is a lot younger than she was sold as turns out she is only 3-4 years old so halving the foal would of been stressful. Will get pics of them up soon and will keep up to date on progress

Seems to me you know that what you are doing is the right approach but as SintN says 'pressure and release' is the way to go.  Most animals get to grips with this pretty quickly unless there is some really deep rooted issue.   
I'd love to have a donkey but our ground is way too soggy. 

[lachlanandmarcus]

I think even if you never achieve any more with her than you have done already, you've done great work. 

[Garvie]

thanks guys was worried I was doing something wrong with her but as you say I think she has major demands with people but am sure with lots of love and polo mints she will learn we ain't all bad am away to see them this afternoon so will get pictures of them

[Garvie]

here are some pics of the donks as promised turns out Tessy will do anything for a  ginger nut and ur bestest friend for an extra strong mint although never got any proper work done with them as the garage was frozen locked

[Garvie]

this is what happens when you say good by to Tessy and  refuse to give her any more mints

[lachlanandmarcus]

Hahahaha!! love that last piccie especially

[Garvie]

what they lack in size they make up in character love them to bits

[Rosemary]

Love it