http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=268x5081Oh my.
More of the Star Trek primitive, enjoying the adventure of living out in the country.
beam me up scottie (1000+ posts) Sun Oct-23-11 09:37 PM
Original message
Any tips on befriending and caring for burros?
We just bought one and she'll be here next week.
She was adopted several years ago from a round-up in the southwest - New Mexico I think, seems fairly docile but is a little skittish.
That's all the info we have on her.
Oh yeah, she is *adorable*.
FreakinDJ (1000+ posts) Sun Oct-23-11 09:40 PM
Response to Original message
1. Ever care for or handle live stock before
honest question
beam me up scottie (1000+ posts) Sun Oct-23-11 09:49 PM
Response to Reply #1
4. Me? Hell yes. My bf, not so much.
I have a 3yr old Warmblood filly I'm gentling/training and while we plan to get other horses eventually, we just couldn't say no to this girl.
Stella (my filly) is lonely and I think this calm little sweetheart will help her adjust.
And now, the primitive who took spelling lessons from nadin:
Tippy (1000+ posts) Sun Oct-23-11 11:24 PM
Response to Reply #6
12. Don't know to much about burrows but have spent years around horses
all live stock for thar matter, and I can tell you, not that you don't already know.
The better you treat them the better they will be excepting of you. My brother had one several years ago, he bought him to keep with his cattle, if I am correct it was to keep them more settled. His kids road him a bit, some are bitters...
RFD TV was great our cable company ran it for a time to see if viewers would pay for it, and since it only made me feel nostalgic, missing my years on the farm I didn't order it...Loved the pic of your little buddy. I was raised on a farm, when I was barely old enough to talk..grand paw came into the house one morning and told the family, Beauty kicked the bucket. They told me I asked him why he put the bucket there.
All the years riding,showing horses. We only had problems with two, one was mare that I couldn't break from raring up she would go up so for on occasional she fell back-wards. Dad was afraid I would get hurt, so he sold her...the fellow that bought her broke her spirit, she went from a beautiful animal to one who wouldn't even raise her head. Terrible.
The other animal was a brama bull, never was able to make headways with him. So we butchered him couldn't get him in a small pen, let alone get in the pasture with him. But I can tell you that he was the best tasting meat we ever had. I miss those years, as if you couldn't tell....
beam me up scottie (1000+ posts) Sun Oct-23-11 11:46 PM
Response to Reply #12
14. I'm sorry about your mare.
I'm Stella's (my Warmblood) last chance, I can't afford to fail because I know she'll be sold to the cowboys around here and they'll ruin her. She's 3 years old and has never been started - on anything. She was also kept with her mother the whole time so you can imagine how traumatized she was when I unloaded her.
Bf has a heart attack every time I get a rope burn or get bumped around, he doesn't understand that if you work with green horses you're going to get hurt.
She trusts me completely right now and I don't want to blow it.
Your stories remind me of my childhood, ever wish you were 8 again?
Tippy (1000+ posts) Mon Oct-24-11 10:05 AM
Response to Reply #14
19. I sure do....remember that is but with age the ability ot remember seems to decline
I am pushing 69 out the door....
Drugs do that to one; one forgets things one should remember.
beam me up scottie (1000+ posts) Mon Oct-24-11 12:31 PM
Response to Reply #19
20. That sounds like something my dear old dad would say, he's pushing 81 out the door.
kestrel91316 (1000+ posts) Sun Oct-23-11 10:11 PM
Response to Original message
8. Link for burro training:
http://www.kbrhorse.net/pag/train.html
There are lots of internet resources on training and caring for the little devils. My uncle in NV had a couple on his ranch for years. If I ever get a piece of land, I'm getting one. They will keep the coyotes at bay.
beam me up scottie (1000+ posts) Sun Oct-23-11 10:26 PM
Response to Reply #8
9. Thank you!
Since I have dial up I've gotten out of the habit of researching on the net.
And, yes, the bonus is that this girl will definitely kick some coyote butt. We have three large packs that hunt on the estate, they seldom get past our fence but when they howl nearby it freaks out my horse.
We were going to buy two but the other one had a baby boy and I couldn't bear to separate them. I'm hoping she will bond with my extremely needy equine.
kestrel91316 (1000+ posts) Mon Oct-24-11 12:10 AM
Response to Reply #9
16. Dial-up still exists???
beam me up scottie (1000+ posts) Mon Oct-24-11 12:25 AM
Response to Reply #16
17. I know, I know.
I had the fastest broadband service available in the city we left behind. Lots of choices, inexpensive, it was awesome.
This is why I avoid the net, bf wants me to handle his Fantasy Football teams but it takes f..o..r..e..v..e..r.
I only attempt to do this after a few snorts of gin. Or vodka.
But the peace, the wildlife, the river, our animals - definitely worth the trade off.
And it won't be forever, there are three cell towers I can see from our house.
Vincardog (1000+ posts) Sun Oct-23-11 10:51 PM
Response to Original message
10. I have had horses and mules. I imaging burros are similar. Get her a place to stay and let her get comfortable. Notice what she likes to eat and when she is ready she will get curious about you.
Go slow and let her go at her won speed.
beam me up scottie (1000+ posts) Sun Oct-23-11 11:37 PM
Response to Reply #10
13. She's been fed strictly hay and I wonder what she'll think of our lush pasture.
And if she's at risk for founder if she goes overboard on the fresh stuff.
I plan on keeping her in the corral until Stella can get used to her -she's a diva and can be very pushy.
Thanks for the advice, gentling animals is the only way to win their trust.
Well then, try "gentling" some coyotes. Or snakes.
Or better yet, try "gentling" a deer.
<<has the distinction of one time being attacked by a deer.
Vincardog (1000+ posts) Mon Oct-24-11 02:01 PM
Response to Reply #13
22. Let her see you working with Stella. She may decide SHE wants she attention too.
beam me up scottie (1000+ posts) Mon Oct-24-11 03:17 PM
Response to Reply #22
25. I think so too, she was the odd burro out ever since her companion had a baby.
None of them have been loved on but they weren't mistreated either.
I'm hoping she'll be my buddy before winter sets in.
After the coyote incident last night I'm trying to convince bf to get all three. Not going so well right now...
FirstLight (1000+ posts) Sun Oct-23-11 11:21 PM
Response to Original message
11. awww...
I am so jealous!
I dream of living on more acreage, and would love to have goats, horses, maybe a few ducks. But I never thought of a burro! I live nr carson valley, so if I end up over there, it is good to know they keep coyotes at bay, thanks for the info...
beam me up scottie (1000+ posts) Sun Oct-23-11 11:52 PM
Response to Reply #11
15. Both donkeys and llamas are very effective at keeping coyotes away.
They'll stomp the hell out of them, lol.
I want to get some chickens next, it's comforting to know that dogs and coyotes will have to go through a donkey and a very large horse to get at the coop.
Hmmm.
You know, I always wondered why we have so many llamas in Nebraska.
Really, I kid you not; we do.
I always thought they were just decorative animals; didn't know they have a use too.
MineralMan (1000+ posts) Mon Oct-24-11 09:15 AM
Response to Original message
18. Carrots. Buy lots of carrots.
Hand feed them to your burro and get it used to being touched and brushed and handled. Burros are smart sorts of equines, and will soon become your great friend. You'll have the thing following you around like a puppy before you know it.
beam me up scottie (1000+ posts) Mon Oct-24-11 12:38 PM
Response to Reply #18
21. Stock market tip: invest in carrot futures
We already buy them by the grocery cart for my horse, and carrots are much better for them than sweet feed or peppermints.
Good tip, I'm not above bribing a critter.
Vincardog (1000+ posts) Mon Oct-24-11 02:03 PM
Response to Reply #21
23. Try this, when you eat breakfast out get pancakes, cut them up and apply liberal amounts of syrup. My horse and donkey loved them.
beam me up scottie (1000+ posts) Mon Oct-24-11 03:13 PM
Response to Reply #23
24. I love bananas and so does Stella.
mmmmmmmmmmmmmm banana pancakes...
MineralMan (1000+ posts) Mon Oct-24-11 03:36 PM
Response to Reply #21
26. A few years ago, I was in Oatman, AZ, where there's a whole herd of wild burros that wanders into the town every day about the same time for carrots. They're wild burros, but visitors give them carrots, and they're tame as can be around people, but only while the carrots are available. Nothing else is allowed for feeding them.
When I was there, I had a big bag of carrots with me, and had half a dozen burros trying to get them. But there was never any pushing or shoving, and they were quite polite about it, really.
Oh now, the MineralMan's missing his calling, which isn't being St. Francis of Assisi to wild animals.
We want to hear more about his father, the ancient gentleman with the rifle across his lap.
The MineralMan, if he tried, could probably churn out some pretty good "human interest" stories.
Really, I mean that; I'm not being sarcastic.
beam me up scottie (1000+ posts) Mon Oct-24-11 04:20 PM
Response to Reply #26
27. LOL!
They really are much more stable than horses, and their instincts about danger are usually spot on.
You won't see them running amok because somebody removed a tarp from their pasture (like a certain horse that I'm still trying to calm down).
newfie11 (1000+ posts) Tue Oct-25-11 06:38 AM
Response to Original message
28. One of daughters has a donkey and 2 mules
She shows them in driving and also rides the donkey. I have some experience with mules but not much with donks.
All I can tell you is they are very very intelligent (and adorable). They will not do something that might hurt themselves, as opposed to a horse that will find even the tiniest thing to get injured on.
I have had/raised Arabians for 40 years. All my kids grew up with them. When it came time for my husband to go trail riding with us I chose a mule for him. She was a perfect match. Angel was her name and she was one. She has since passed away and we are to old to ride anyway.
I am sure this little donk will steal your heart in no time.
beam me up scottie (1000+ posts) Fri Oct-28-11 10:44 PM
Response to Reply #28
31. "opposed to a horse that will find even the tiniest thing to get injured on."
I love my horse but she is injury prone, she's more hot blood than warm, actually. I'm ordering some stockings for her legs tonight. I'm really hoping the burro will have a calming effect on her.
My bf also prefers mules, lol! He calls the one he rides in Colorado 'Cadillac Molly' - they bring her along with the hunters' horses as they go up the mountain to hunt elk.
Whenever the horses spook or refuse to cross obstacles (like railroad tracks ) they put old Molly in front because they'll always follow her lead.
