[Rod44]

A friend of mine has mammoth donkeys. He really likes them. Plows, hauls loads, drives on wagon they do it all. Yes you should have a singletree whether you have horses, donkeys or mules. Puts fexiblity and strength into the loadbearing.

http://s384.photobucket.com/albums/oo281/Rodhorses/?action=view&current=bobscamperIMG_1186.jpg

[Rod44]

The Haflingers should be able to pull a decent load for you.

http://s384.photobucket.com/albums/oo281/Rodhorses/?action=view&current=bestwoodhauling.mp4

http://s384.photobucket.com/albums/oo281/Rodhorses/?action=view&current=Comingwithbiglog.mp4

[Rod44]

Mike-in your hilly area the legs on one side must have grown longer from grazing on the hillsides. When you drive them on the flat they have to go in a circle!!

Rod S

[Rod44]

Hard to beat a Haflinger!

[Rod44]

Depends upon what part of the country you are in. Some areas a horse per acre and in some 100 acres per horse. Also depends upon what you are going to use them for: riding, farming, just looking at, or even eating?????

[Rod44]

Nice video, Carl!

[Rod44]

I don’t do parades anymore. Just too much that could go wrong that you can’t control and too many people that could get hurt.

[Rod44]

Nice to see donkeys working!

[Rod44]

I use short spreaders on the outside as well at the inside to prevent the problem. Also, it gets the lines down a little so you are pulling straight back instead of up on the bit.

[Rod44]

Bob says they can’t be pets. If they are they will outsmart and overpower you.

[Rod44]

This is Rod but I will tell you how Bob does it. The number one rule is that they can’t be allowed to become your pet or buddy. They have to respect and also fear you just a little. He handled them very little before starting training. He said you start them in a pen and take with you a whip, a piece of plastic pipe and a hot shot. The idea is to come up from behind and say trot. If it doesn’t give him a tap with the whip. If he starts up, even if only for a few paces, ease the pressure. Keep doing this over and over for a number of days untill when you say trot they do. If the whip doesn’t to it graduate to the plastic pipe and from there to the hot shot. The hot shot isn’t to prod them hard with, even though you are mad by now. Just kind of brush them with it so it stings like an electric fence. Best to do this before they are handled much and know that they really are in control because they are bigger than you!:)

This way they get imprinted to go when they are told to go.

Don’t know what to do if they the are already screwed up?? Bob may have some ideas for you. Try posting for him on the Front Porch of the Rural Heritage site. He isn’t much for computer time but does check that some. He is a real nice guy and will help you if he can. Just subject “Bob a donkey question”

Hope that helps

Rod

[Rod44]

They are not mine. They are Bob Erickson’s from the Westby Wi area. I am posting for him. Yes they are mammoth donkeys.

[Rod44]

The girls are three years old this month, 15h tall weighing 950# each. I don’t know what make the plow is but it measures 9″ across and is probably intended to cut 11″. I tried out my new plow yesterday. It is an Oliver #20 – 13″plow. I find a pair this size to be lots of fun and useful but they certainly aren’t going to plow like a big pair of belgians.

[Rod44]

Yes, they kept that same speed all day. Rats, what were the rest of the questions. The plow was a 10″ and he just got his new 12″ and used it today and they handled it well. He has an interview coming up with Rural Heritage so you may see more info there later.

[Rod44]

He could have pulled his shoulder a little while tangled. Had a friend of mines horse get in a fence and throw himself. An Amish chiroprator friend of mine adjusted the shoulder and he walked much better right away.

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