Daisy the Donkey

New grasses

2011-10-14T09:51:00.001-07:00

Recent rain has sprouted all sorts of new grasses for the donks to nibble on

an update!

2011-08-26T16:41:00.000-07:00

wow it's been a long time! I mostly blog over on my real website now :)

But I'll give ya some Daisy pics so you can see how her fat pads are looking!!

But ya, I'll try to keep up on this blog also, it's hard having more than one!! HAHA

heres a link to my other blog ( that has all my stuff in it - gardening, diy stuff, stuff I'm making)
http://www.hippiegeekfarmart.com/bloggity-blog.html

Daisy & Rocky Play!!

2011-02-19T14:01:00.001-08:00

I've never seen Daisy play like this with another donkey! SO funny!!

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Rocky doo

2011-02-09T13:09:00.001-08:00

Donkey Grooming

2011-01-23T17:50:00.000-08:00

The Weather has been fantastic, I was busy earlier today, but still got a chance to go out and tie the donks and give a quick brush and clean their front feet. I've been working with Daisy, she's been really iffy bout her back feet, so right now I'm just picking them up and rewarding her for good behavior, I think next time I will clean them out. She just gets so tense, so I've been going back to basics with her.

Loved brushing Rocky - after he got over the brush LOL, he wasn't sure what to make of it at first. He stood there like a statue while i gave a him a quick groom. I cleaned his front feet with no issues, I'm going to wait til he gets used to me a bit before i try the back. I know he's sticky on his left hind, which I believe is the same side Daisy is sticky on. We'll get there pretty soon. I just want him to know I'm his friend and I won't hurt him.

He also got to see the manure fork and wheel barrow, he wasn't too sure about all that, but he didn't bolt or anything crazy. I love that it's dry out and I can get back to my daily poo cleanings, I hate when it's rainy and it's soggy out.

Here's pics from today!! (feeding was uneventful again lol)

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It's been a LONG time!!

2011-01-23T17:31:00.000-08:00

Well it's been a very long time since I blogged, I started a real website personally, so I've been really focusing on that.

any who, new changes, I decided miss martha was not a good match for me. She needed to be a pet, after a year of training she just didn't have the mind to do the things I wanted to do. And that's ok, she went to a great home where she has two more donk buddies and a horse. So now she has a real herd, yay Martha!

Daisy was alone for 2 weeks, boo, not good for donkey happiness. I got hooked up with a lady who had purchased a donk I was very interested in back in 2009. Now they were looking to rehome him due to family circumstances. I jumped on the opportunity.

So today I went and picked my new boy up, I kept telling Daisy that her BF would be here Saturday, I don't think she believed me. LOL.

Mr. Rocky was a doll for loading - yay cuz i get kinda beat driving with the trailer!! So he made it stress free, thank you Rocky!!

So Rocky is a BLM donkey, he's about ten years old ( gotta check his paperwork), but he rides and packs, he's been to: the western states horse expo, the state capitol, multiple state parks and the state fair. So he's a been there done that kind of guy. And I love him!! He's such a sweetheart!!

I led Rocky around the pasture to let him know where the fence line was, Daisy was locked in the small pen, and after she knew there was ANOTHER donkey here she had a fit - which included pawing, rearing, snorting, grunting and so on - typical Daisy brat behavior. After I had let Rocky loose he wasn't even sure he wanted to go up and sniff her!! he was probably thinking 'OMG you sent me to live with the possessed B***H!"

I let Daisy out, there were two kicks thrown, Daisy came out swinging!! LOL, but in the end I'd have to say it was quite uneventful!! Especially for Daisy, usually she goes running like a mad woman honking and hollering!! today....nothing. hmmmm........

They settled in very quickly, it was funny to watch Daisy try to sniff Rocky when he wasn't looking lol. There wasn't any running or braying or crazy stuff, they just settled right in and walked around the paddock paradise.

Feeding time went better than expected, I was told Rocky was a guarder and did the 'dragon calls'. I guess since the way I feed on the track it didn't invite that behavior, after Rocky got past Daisy there wasn't any dragon calls LOL.

Rocky & Daisy sort things out

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Daisy Slow Motion Video!

2010-12-05T09:59:00.001-08:00

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Martha comes home from Erika's

2010-12-04T08:45:00.000-08:00

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Donkey Paddock Paradise update

2010-12-04T08:42:00.000-08:00

the donk-a-hay hay paddock paradise has been up for about 3 weeks. Wanted to share some pics of the 'wear & tear' so far.... we have had lots of rain so I'm surprised it's not muddier!!

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Logo fun!!

2010-11-23T14:38:00.000-08:00

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Daisy eats breakfast from her slow feed hay net

2010-11-06T15:00:00.001-07:00

Daisy

2010-11-05T18:51:00.001-07:00

Daisy goes for a ride

2010-10-31T18:14:00.000-07:00

I took Daisy out today, first time without my BF going along. so our first independent ride together!!
Here are some pics, overall she did great.

I have some problem areas to work on - first - her breeching moving around, I think my neighbor startled her a bit when she touched her breeching to show her daughter. So I need to saddle her up and move that thing around so she doesn't get caught off guard again. 2nd, pay attention to where my fingers are if I give her pellets from the saddle!! she made me bleed, it's not her fault, I was talking to to my neighbor and not paying attention and she got me.
3rd - asphalt with lines is not scary. she turned to jello after walking 12 steps or so onto the neighbor's 'parking' lot.

SO on to the fun stuff, pics!! It's very difficult to photograph from the saddle!!

Sporting her new saddle pad!

Vroom

She also met some garbage cans, mailboxes and got passed by 5 cars. She did great!

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Daisy's new saddle pad!!

2010-10-31T08:36:00.001-07:00

Made Daisy an aussie saddle pad yesterday!!! I'll have some construction pics on my blog ( on my website soon)

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What do ur electric fence handles look like?lol u get ur money's worth with horseguard

2010-10-13T12:26:00.001-07:00

Some pics of Jak jak!

2010-10-12T08:44:00.000-07:00

Got some cute pics of Jak jak this morning...

sharing his breakfast with the chickens

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Hauling Ass!!

2010-10-11T13:58:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we hauled the girls up to my trimmer's place about 20 minutes away. This is the second time Martha has been in the trailer. Fed her in it twice ( she didn't get in) and then did some clicker training on Saturday night. She was not afraid of the trailer at all, but wasn't about to get in. Daisy had been hopping in and out of the thing since Friday night LOL.

Daisy & Jak jak are going to LEf this next weekend, so we didn't want to leave Martha by herself, thus getting her hauled. Sunday was the day we actually hauled, we decided to load Martha first since we didn't know how long it would take. It ended up being about 15 minutes before she got in. we didn't use butt ropes, or a whip, or panels to squish her in, nothing. I just tied her lead inside the trailer so she had the choice of standing at the door way or getting in.( couldn't walk away or her rope would get tight) she eventually got tired of standing there and realized we weren't gonna do anything for her LOL so she just hopped in! She got rewarded for getting in with some sweet feed ( she's never had it before!!).

We then loaded Daisy, double check everything and were off!

Martha self loading

We unloaded both girls up at E's place, and let them meet her boys, there's was lots of running, trotting, sniffing and some kicking LOL!! Daisy was very independent and Martha was stuck to her butt the whole time.

Martha & Daisy check out the new digs

Colby following Martha & Daisy

Martha tells Colby 'No you can't sniff me!'

Paco the donkey says hi to me and the camera

We let them hang out for about an hour and half, we then loaded Jak who hops right into the trailer YAY, and Daisy.

then we were on our way back!

Hauling ASS!

Got home and Unloaded Daisy and Jak jak, Daisy had to remind him that this is HER home! Jak jak is pretty laid back and just said 'ok, whatever, I'll just go over here'

E got home and told me that Martha was not upset, in fact her and Colby were now REALLY good friends
(wink wink lol)

Jak jak checks out the pasture

During the ride home, Daisy had mashed her butt up against the very front of the trailer to brace her self, she rode that way home pretty much all the way!! She has three pretty nice bald spots, one of them looked a bit raw, there's a spot up there where she got her butt in just the right way that it rubbed her raw. So now she's walking around with yellow spots on her butt from the spray on donkey neosporin LOL

Jak jak and Daisy hanging out together today

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Helping Jak jak

2010-09-27T15:51:00.000-07:00

This is Jak jak, he's the most recent Hithger rescue. Shortly after acquiring him it was discovered that he had chemical burns on his penis. I know you're thinking 'how the heck' or 'are you sure' , ya, whatever it is, it needs help to heal. He's been on antibiotics for some time now.

I had mentioned to his foster home that I had an idea for a 'fly mask' but really it's a 'cod piece' LOL!!
something to help keep that whole area cleaner and keep the flies off of it!!

So with my limited supplies that I have on hand, I constructed Jak jak the first ever donkey cod piece!
I already have plans to make another one, I need to get creative with what i have on hand, as I am not in a position to purchase more supplies. Although if anyone would like to donate or send supplies please leave a comment or contact me through the blog.

Some of the things I'll be needing are:
1.5" rings
1" D rings
1" heavy elastic
1" strapping - any kind - cotton, poly pro or nylon

Ok, so I know this looks soooo ridiculous, but it's doing it's job, keeping the flies off of his sheath area. and YES he can urinate LOL the material is Phirtex+ that I accidentally bought for fly masks, but the weave is too tight for the 'eye' area. I'm happy I ended up keeping it.

Jak jak did not seem to mind, he even seemed calmer, not as much stomping and swishing while wearing it.
I'm fabricating a whole body fly sheet for him and the listed supplies will also help get that in the works. Right now I'm 'recycling' hardware since I've used the last bit of bigger stuff on Jak's cod piece.

Jak jak's protective cod piece before I trimmed the straps

Just got an update that Jack jack managed to itch himself bloody overnight ( the cod piece is removed - night time, less flies!)

so now I have been requested to make a donkey neck cradle!
because obviously horse size would not fit him!
So now we have to prevent the flies and HIM to from doing damage. This all just needs to heal! ACK!

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Daisy's britchen is done!! WOO!!

2010-09-26T08:39:00.000-07:00

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Hoof cleaning, all of the time

2010-09-24T08:32:00.000-07:00

After the girl's trim the other day my trimmer informed me that they're a little thrushy!!
in the middle of summer!?! ( actually the end now)

I take full responsibility, I had not been cleaning their feet enough.
So now they get their feet cleaned everyday, just like they're supposed too!!

I read someplace the best thing for thrush is a hoofpick!! and man what a difference of keeping their hooves clean has made!

I still went ahead & got some thrush treatment. I decided to go with 'no thrush' made by a farm in California. I don't like the idea of putting super caustic chemicals on the girls, ( I always try got keep everything to a minimum like fly sprays etc. - but with Daisy's front legs being eaten alive I have to apply it, until i make fly boots!)No thrush is a dry treatment, made of natural compounds.

I recieved my 'no thrush' yesterday and got it applied, this stuff does really 'sucks up the yuck'!! before I even put the foot down I could see it being absorbed into the thrushy areas.

IF you wanna check out no thrush I'll post a link - also it was in this month's Western Horsemen magazine, I thought that was cool

http://www.nothrushshop.com/index.html

The girls don't have much thrush, each have a little spot on about 2 hooves, but I need to make sure it gets taken care of. They don't really like me cleaning it out either, but each day I get more & more out. so eventually we'll get there.

Also my other plan of attack has been to keep their pasture spotless! And I have!
in an earlier post i posted about how clean their pen was, it's still like that! I clean their pen twice a day, especially right after I clean feet. That was the only wet thing in their pasture that has been causing their thrush! POOP! they find the one pile & go step in it!

so somehow, amazingly, i get up ( yes in my pajama's!! LOL) and feed, then pick up all the poop in the morning -yes you heard right, BEFORE COFFEE!!

LOL
then in the evening I clean feet, pick up poop, then feed again.

I've been experimenting with their feeding situation ( while the weather is still good), I've been placing their hay in little teeny tiny piles all over the pasture ( I weigh both rations together). That way it's a big hay easter egg hunt. they nibble on a pile, walk to he next, nibble, walk. Almost like real grazing!! LOL

This morning Daisy tried to mob me while i was distributing the piles, i wasn't having it!!
she got nothing! Little brat, I made it clear to her she is not allowed to come up and bully me while I'm putting out hay. Martha is respectful and just waits for a pile to be dropped and starts eating, no bullying.

I have plans to do a pasture paradise setup in the pasture this winter, so when spring grasses come they can't have access to ALL of it all of the time. I believe this is what made martha a little chubby - also i shouldve fed less during those months.

I imagine when it rains I'll have to set up some slow feeders in the shelter. But for now this is working out well.

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Britchen Progress!!

2010-09-22T13:52:00.000-07:00

I'm about 75% Done!! WOO HOO!!

I'm halfway done with the first cinch tug, and have to braid the other one and then that's it!
This is quite the project! I love how it's turning out, I love that it's gonna be super adjustable and strong!!

Keep track of your donkey's health records with this free form!

2010-09-22T13:41:00.000-07:00

Found this today, and it's great for anyone who is looking for an easy way to keep track of your equine's health records!

I personally made a spreadsheet for Daisy & Martha :)

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/media/pdf/horse-health-record.pdf

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Daisy skids a tire!

2010-09-16T08:26:00.000-07:00

recently acquired a singletree & got it all hooked up to Daisy, used some twine to put it back further than the tugs on the breastcollar.

As far as I know this is her first time actually pulling something!!

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Poop Free

2010-09-12T16:14:00.000-07:00

Spent almost 5 hours cleaning the pasture/run. I had been seriously slacking on it, so I just went and did ALL of it!
I'm beat, but it least the girls have a clean place to hang out

they both got their feet cleaned twice today!

the pen and the alley way all got scraped and scooped. part of the pasture got the same, but I started running out of steam, so it just got picked up. the only thing thats left is lots of dead grass and really old poo. I noticed when I got to the pasture I was picking up a lot of fluff, the wheelbarrow was significantly lighter than what came out of the pen/alleyway

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Today's driving day

2010-09-11T20:39:00.000-07:00

Both girls got trimmed this morning woo!

I went out and worked on Daisy's driving. She did pretty well. I'm still trying to incorporate the clicker training with everything. The last couple times I drove her it was more 'traditional' style. I'm still trying to figure out how to combine the two.I think my ultimate goal is to have them responding to mostly vocal commands
.
overall she did well, I was teaching her to move off tapping of the whip on her hips. Tap the right hip to go right, etc. At this point I didn't have my reins connected to the bit,just had them snapped to the rings on her halter.I also was just focusing on the whip part too, so no rein pressure at all. I figure I gotta break it up into little pieces. (light tapping!)

so i worked a bit on each side, then once I felt like she had a pretty good understand of it, I started to mix it up a bit. she did pretty well.Its neat seeing her try to figure out what I'm asking, her little brain working lol. there were times we just kept walking in a circle, but not the direction I was asking LOL! then the first step in the right direction C/T.

I decided to mix it up a bit, I started working on forward movement, most of the time it ended up with her walking in a circle- as soon as she took a straight step forward I c/t. I didn't get as far as I wanted too with the forward walking. still trying to figure out how to clicker train that.

She also tried -at the very beginning to go back down the alley way to the shelter. she learned that yes we can go down there, but it doesn't mean we're quitting! LOL I worked her back out of it. she then proceeded to walk straight to the gate at the end of the pasture, as if to say 'we're going out right??' She always seems a little bummed and not motivated to work in the pasture.

I guess I should be happy that sh readily walks in a circle it's better than donkey glue and no movement at all. Trying to get in as much training as possible before the Little Equine festival in October.

9.12.10
Just did some research, and found this blog, for some reason this helps me alot! LOL i HAD been doing this with Daisy, maybe I just progressed to fast and she wasn't sure what walk on meant, or she's being a butt. anywho, glad I found this, it cleared my frustrated brain from yesterday. Maybe we will try it today.

http://portraitswithhorses.com/blog/?p=706