Training a rescue donkey can take a long time depending on level of abuse, neglect and how long the donkey was in the auction pipeline. I’ve trained, rehabbed and rehomed dozens of donkeys! No two are exactly alike.
This is about Gucci. A 6-7 year old gelding that was in a nearby kill pen. He was underweight, his hooves are overgrown and he’s absolutely terrified of humans. His coggins and the multiple glue spots on his booty tell me he’s been in the auction pipeline for a long time. This is extremely scary and stressful for a donkey!
Start Training the Rescue Donkey in a small training area
Finally got Gucci in the small training area to get started. He will live in this area until he no longer fears me and I can halter him. (Update: all the rain flooded my training area so he had to be moved. This means training will take much longer)
Rescue Donkeys do best with Positive Reward based training methods
Rescue Donkey Care and Hoof Rehab
What can you do with a donkey?
Update: Gucci March 2022
Since we got hit with a ridiculous amount of rain that flooded my training area I’ve not trained Gucci with the frequency I usually do. Due to ALL the rain I couldn’t have trained him as often even if my training area stayed drained!
But Mr.Untouchable has made progress!! Training this rescue donkey has been different and I can tell he’s been abused but slowly he is accepting life here. He’s accepting that I’m not all bad! He has started following me and asking me for scratches! He’s not shy about that!
After all these months he is just now accepting a reward from my hand and that is really huge! Still no allowing me to halter him, but he will allow me to touch him with the halter for scratches.
Update: May 2022
Gucci is allowing me to put a fly veil on him and a halter!!!!! Still no fly spray or picking up hooves but he is beginning to lead and accept the fly repellent salve (which works better than fly spray anyways!)
He still gets scared over sudden movements, but he is well on his way. You can see all this progression in my Donkey Training Membership Group on patreon (link below)
Remember: Progress not perfection!
That’s what I want! When it comes to abused rescue donkeys you have to be persistent but never pushy. It’s not so much about patience like every likes to say. To me its more about being determined to be successful and doing whatever it takes to achieve that.
Help with Training Donkeys
If you are struggling to train a donkey I have SO many resources to help you! I’ve been building these resources for years now.
You can sign up for my DLL for emails full of tips and free help. Subscribe to my youtube channel for free care and training videos. I have books and courses available you can buy for more help!
My Donkey Training membership group, which contains well over 100 exclusive donkey training videos, training plans, the course guides and ebooks.
I can’t help all the donkeys because I do have limited funds and resources like most people, but if I can help you with your donkey that makes me feel just as happy!
Other articles on donkey training and donkey care you might like:
Donkey Training Information [Getting Started]
Training Donkeys Tip {Train the Individual, Not Just the Donkey}