Can working with donkeys improve your horsemanship? Yes, but a donkey does not respond like a horse. “Donkeys feel and evaluate everything first,” says Heather Dixson, volunteer turned Assistant Barn Manager at Rancho Burro Donkey Sanctuary in San Luis Obispo. “So, pulling and chasing just won’t work.”
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Applying Experience Working with Donkeys
“Donkeys are always thinking,” continued Heather, “nothing happens quickly.” A donkey processes information while a horse responds to pressure. Patience with donkeys builds a trust bond. Transferring that lesson to her horsemanship helps Heather build a better bond with her horse as well. Heather now lets her own horse have thinking time. Heather slows her process down to enable her horse to trust her more.
Heather’s Donkey Journey
Heather joined the team at Rancho Burro Donkey Sanctuary in 2023 when she began as a volunteer. With an Animal Science degree from Cal Poly, Heather sought work in the equine field. “I thought I’d just try it. I realized I like these guys!” expressed Heather.
All the donkeys coming to the sanctuary have damaged feet, legs and teeth which is a direct result of human neglect and mismanagement of the donkey’s care and feeding. This results in internal/long-term damage for the donkeys. Therefore, many have special treatment plans to protect and support their unique needs. So, coming with basic bandaging and wrapping experience Heather is a valued member of the donkey care team.
Many of these rescued donkeys also have daily medications. Heather has gained experience in not only administering a variety of medications, but in using different methods. Working with all the different donkeys and mules has given Heather valuable experience in effective training and equine handling techniques.
Most Treasured Lessons Working with Donkeys
Heather’s most treasured lessons are from the donkeys themselves. “You have to be able to slow down and wait. Donkeys pause to process a situation, so you learn to shift your perspective.”
Learning to lead the donkeys has taught Heather how to adjust her asking methods too. “Sometimes the donkey walks backward so you work with that and eventually get them going forward. Donkeys often walk, then stop, walk, then stop. So, you adjust your timing and wait with them, or try a different leading method like angle walking.” The overall lesson when working with donkeys is being patient as they are always thinking and looking for positive reinforcement of requests. The action desired from the donkey is dependent on the bond with the human or other creature, not the pressure.
Volunteers Needed Working with Donkeys
Rancho Burro Donkey Sanctuary in San Luis Obispo seeks volunteers who come with experience with the Equus family. Although donkeys think differently and do not have a heightened fight or flight instinct as their horse counterparts, they are part of the Equus family and have similar behaviors. So, for safety in working in the donkey environment a volunteer must already have recent experience handling either horses, donkeys, or mules.
Volunteer Duties at Rancho Burro
Volunteers could be involved with the daily management of the sanctuary residents which might include:
- Exercise – leading the donkeys to and from different pastures, around the property, or to stalls
- Feeding – including teaching the new arrivals about sanctuary life, the water, the feed, the routine
- General Care –cleaning out hooves, grooming, changing bandages and wraps; applying basic first aid care
- Medications – administering different meds using a variety of methods
- Pen Cleaning – As we all know, poop happens. Cleaning up after these wonderful creatures is an on-going task.
Anyone interested in expanding their horsemanship skills by working with Rancho Burro Sanctuary donkeys is welcome visit the Rancho Burro website volunteer page for more information and to fill out an application.
If you aren’t quite ready to volunteer but still are interested in knowing more about donkeys, book an educational tour. Rancho Burro donkeys and staff would love to meet you. There are also a variety of events that happen throughout the year. All proceeds go towards the donkeys’ care.
Photo credit: Sharon Jantzen Photos
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