There are horses... Lots of
fancy horses from drafts to
minis and everything in
between.That varied
assortment extends into the
world of mules. With so
many choices out there why
would anyone in their right
mind choose a donkey to
drive?Everyone knows they are
unreasonable and hard to
work with... Well first off
my friend donkeys are not
for everyone and if you
decide you are to be owned
by one and you like it,
you'll never go back to
those ear-challenged ones.Donkeys have a
different perspective than a
horse has on any given topic
so one must readjust their
training methods in order to
become successful.It tends to make one
believe in the adage that a
donkey is trained the way a
horse should be!
Maybe one should explore the
reasons for having donkeys
in the first place.There is the guard
animal factor.Donkeys do not
appreciate having their
domains invaded whether it
is coyotes, deer, wild
turkeys or tame kittens,
it's just not in their
nature to share.When you have
donkeys, you pretty much
only have donkeys inside the
fence line, the rest of the
world remains outside that
boundary.
Maybe it's because donkeys
are so darn people friendly,
they absolutely adore
children and have an amazing
tolerance for the disabled.They crave personal
one on one attention and
have a tremendous desire to
please.Donkeys add a quiet touch of
escapism to my world.They put me into a
state of mind where peace
and quiet reigns.When I am with them
suddenly everything becomes
“in the now” and I just
surrender to their sight,
sounds, smells and terrific
company.When we discuss private
issues what is said in the
pasture stays in the
pasture!Sometimes we just hang out
together, they huddle around
just so we can commune with
each other and life becomes
good again.Why do you think gold
prospectors of the 1800’s
chose a burro to accompany
them?
With such high IQ's these
animals are easily trained
when one has the patience to
go at their pace and show
them exactly what needs done
without boring them to
death.They love to get out and
explore the world once they
have built up their personal
self confidence in the job
at hand and have formed a
trusting bond with their
person.It's that trust that makes
them so good to
tolerate parade happenings
or drive through crowds of
slow moving people.They just don't seem
to get overly excited by
their surroundings when they
know you will guide them
safely thru any situation.Driving is in their
DNA today just as it has
always been.
I drive donkeys to keep them
trim and in great condition
and it does not hurt my
figure either.All that harnessing
and unharnessing and moving
the vehicles about is great
exercise.Ground driving is
more fun than just going for
a walk, its
way more challenging with a
donkey ahead of you. All
that ground work pays off in
huge dividends whether it is
riding or driving, it all
starts with simple walks and
adding commands. Driving
gives one the incentive to
wake up an hour or two early
and head down the road
before the sun warms
everything up. Even drinking
one less cup of coffee is
not such a bad idea, it
could tend to make one
healthier if you're not
careful.
I also drive because of the
harness and the equipment.Learning what works
best for the team and
what this 58 year old woman
can hitch "all by
herself" has been a huge
accomplishment.Driving my team to a
two wheeled cart means I can
go off road trekking just
about anywhere I want once
the crops are off the
fields.That makes it fun for all to
get away from the dusty
gravel roads and into the
fields where we are able to
drive in and out different
places.We have looked over the edge
of deep canyons
sometimes with a creek
running thru the bottom and
cattle quietly grazing.There is always a
chance we'll spot a herd of
elk still in their beds or
deer running nearby. Donkeys
never miss a chance to watch
wildlife, just be aware of
what those radar ears are
telling you and you'll enjoy
the wildlife as much as they
do.
Taking out the decorated
buckboard for a parade is a
real thrill.For guests the four
wheeled rubber tired vehicle
is perfect. Hitching to the
country gig for pleasure
driving truly exhibits how
much class a handsome
mammoth donkey has.There's always farm
equipment that needs hitched
to; a harrow, a plow, a sled
to stack wood on, it’s a
whole world of to-dos with
the donkey boys out there.
Tandem, unicorn, four
abreast and four up hitches
are just another piece of
the puzzle yet to be solved
by the Teamdonk boys.
Following our 2011 blog will
let you know if we manage to
get these hitches
accomplished.
Why do I drive donkeys
rather than ride?I actually do both
but driving thrills me to
the point of producing a
huge sense of personal
satisfaction.More importantly
driving is the most relaxing
activity I do!When I am behind the
team my heart soars with the
eagles, it sings with the
songbirds perched on the
electrical wires.It’s crazy fun
watching the hawks play
their game of perching on
the telephone pole just
ahead until we almost arrive
and then soaring off to the
next one, never letting the
boys catch up.It gives me a true
sense of the changing
seasons as I watch the
tender green fall wheat
poking out of mother earth
and eventually maturing into
majestic golden rods ready
for harvest. You notice the
little things when driving.
There is always an
opportunity to stop and chat
with the neighbors or take a
passenger along for a great
visit and a lasting memory.I dream of driving
season when winter is raging
or the spring rains are
falling, knowing that for a
brief span of time every
year I will be out there
waving to people who
courteously pass by.I imagine they are
wishing it was them riding
along enjoying a fantastic
looking pair of longears.Yes, it is me out
there driving a team of
mammoth donkeys in North
Central Idaho on the
spectacular Camas
Prairie and moving at a
slower pace of life even if
just for a brief moment in
time.
Someone once told me that
driving is a journey with
our partners.There is no
destination, no ending point
only our dreams, visions and
hopes to help us move down
the road to a true
partnership.Driving Teamdonk has
become a journey, not a
destination.
Luc,
Galahad… walk on boys, it's
driving time!
You can contact Kristi or
see more of her wonderful
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