I met a wonderful woman on the Parelli Forum named Sharon. I sent her a brief private message regarding donkeys and mules. Her picture (avatar) on the forum was of two of the cutest donkeys ever. So, thinking she might own donks, I was hoping she could help me.
Well, I came to find out that she is a donkey foster mom, and works for a donkey sanctuary in England. How amazing is that!
I was really trying to find more information about "how donkey's/mules think!" There just isn't much information out there! Well, not only did she send me donkey behavour PDF's, but then she offered to mail me a whole packet about donkey's and mules.
What a wonderful gal! I learned more from her than any Parelli instructor, vet, professional, etc.!
So, a huge thank you to a lovely lady I have never met, but jumped right in to help me out with more information into the amazing world of Diesel's mind!
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Doin' Amazing!
Well, we have been playing only a couple of times with the help of our resident professional, Lea! Diesel and I go out to our outdoor arena and play "catch me" and "stick to me." He is so interested and really seems to like it. I wish there were more days in the month. Lea pitches in and plays with him when I am busy with "life" chores or at work. I wish I had more time!
I am feeling SO confident that we are truly finding Diesel's joy! That has been my heartfelt wish since the day we got him! (Which our one year anniversary is quickly approaching at the end of this month!)
Diesel has become such a wonderful part of our farm family! His confidence grows each day and he is starting to become more interesting in playing with us and much more willing. And on days that he is JUST NOT INTERESTED one little bit, he just makes us laugh and love him more!
The weather is quickly approaching temperatures when he can get a bath. And boy does he need it! I can't wait. The last bath he had was last spring/early summer when he first came here. And quite frankly, we were all pretty unsure how he would react! This year it will be so much easier and thorough! Since he was very afraid to have his "back half" even touched, much less bathed....well, you get the picture. He is a dirty little mini hinny! Soon!
Lea is keeping a keen eye on his feet and keeping them trimmed up nicely. Don't think Mike our trimmer will ever get close to him again. Being a 6 foot-something extrovert..well, that just doesn't mix well with Diesel's personality!
Nice Job Lea!
I am feeling SO confident that we are truly finding Diesel's joy! That has been my heartfelt wish since the day we got him! (Which our one year anniversary is quickly approaching at the end of this month!)
Diesel has become such a wonderful part of our farm family! His confidence grows each day and he is starting to become more interesting in playing with us and much more willing. And on days that he is JUST NOT INTERESTED one little bit, he just makes us laugh and love him more!
The weather is quickly approaching temperatures when he can get a bath. And boy does he need it! I can't wait. The last bath he had was last spring/early summer when he first came here. And quite frankly, we were all pretty unsure how he would react! This year it will be so much easier and thorough! Since he was very afraid to have his "back half" even touched, much less bathed....well, you get the picture. He is a dirty little mini hinny! Soon!
Lea is keeping a keen eye on his feet and keeping them trimmed up nicely. Don't think Mike our trimmer will ever get close to him again. Being a 6 foot-something extrovert..well, that just doesn't mix well with Diesel's personality!
Nice Job Lea!
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Yikes!
Oh, no excuses, I haven't been here for forever! I am determined to change that though because there are new things happening in Diesel's little hinny life!
He is doing great by the way! Loving all the mud that spring has to offer, being with his herd and buggin' them! But, mostly, enjoying the spring grass coming up. We really have to watch he and Scout, because spring grass can be great nutritionally, but dangerous sugar-wise. So, the boys are rotated on and off the grass and they are pretty content with their spring routine.
Okay, anyway, back to Diesel. Wow, he is doing amazing. There was a 5-star professional that was offering video coaching and Lea and I decided to send a video to him. That was SO disappointing. All he could say after watching a 15 minute video was to give Diesel more treats. Well, let me tell you, Diesel should be an orange mini hinny for all the carrot treats he gets.
But, God is so good and opened another door for us! We belong to a forum for people who are involved in Parelli. I sent a message to a lovely gal who had a picture of mules on her post and thought perhaps she had mules and could share some experiences with me.
Well, this dear woman, Sharon, has shared more with me in the last 48 hours than I could hope to get from any 5-star professional! So, we are really beginning to understand how Diesel "thinks" which helps us be more interesting for him.
Lea has once again not abandoned me with her brilliant Parelli ways and is helping me with Diesel. (Poor Lea is always at the mercy of "when" I have time to play with Diesel. Months may pass before I get going again and she is always there to guide me through! So thank you Lea, once again)
She is having me play "stick to me" with Diesel. And we have only done it twice and what a change in his perception of me. Sort of like, "by golly, this little chap is really interested in me and what I am doing." Stick to me is Diesel being at Liberty in our outdoor and I drive his hindquarters away and once he looks at me with both eyes, I go into a neutral position and put my hand out and ask him to draw into me. And he does by golly!!!! It might take 10-15 times of gently driving his hindquarters, but he gets it!!! Once he is interested in me he will actually "stick" to me and walk with me, hop up on the pedestal with me, put his nose on something. WOW!!!!!
So, stay tuned for my next play session which will be on Thursday. (Drat, I have to work all day tomorrow).
If you haven't been around Diesel's blog for a while, I promise to be more diligent so you can enjoy his journey as much as we are!
Thanks!
Marianne
He is doing great by the way! Loving all the mud that spring has to offer, being with his herd and buggin' them! But, mostly, enjoying the spring grass coming up. We really have to watch he and Scout, because spring grass can be great nutritionally, but dangerous sugar-wise. So, the boys are rotated on and off the grass and they are pretty content with their spring routine.
Okay, anyway, back to Diesel. Wow, he is doing amazing. There was a 5-star professional that was offering video coaching and Lea and I decided to send a video to him. That was SO disappointing. All he could say after watching a 15 minute video was to give Diesel more treats. Well, let me tell you, Diesel should be an orange mini hinny for all the carrot treats he gets.
But, God is so good and opened another door for us! We belong to a forum for people who are involved in Parelli. I sent a message to a lovely gal who had a picture of mules on her post and thought perhaps she had mules and could share some experiences with me.
Well, this dear woman, Sharon, has shared more with me in the last 48 hours than I could hope to get from any 5-star professional! So, we are really beginning to understand how Diesel "thinks" which helps us be more interesting for him.
Lea has once again not abandoned me with her brilliant Parelli ways and is helping me with Diesel. (Poor Lea is always at the mercy of "when" I have time to play with Diesel. Months may pass before I get going again and she is always there to guide me through! So thank you Lea, once again)
She is having me play "stick to me" with Diesel. And we have only done it twice and what a change in his perception of me. Sort of like, "by golly, this little chap is really interested in me and what I am doing." Stick to me is Diesel being at Liberty in our outdoor and I drive his hindquarters away and once he looks at me with both eyes, I go into a neutral position and put my hand out and ask him to draw into me. And he does by golly!!!! It might take 10-15 times of gently driving his hindquarters, but he gets it!!! Once he is interested in me he will actually "stick" to me and walk with me, hop up on the pedestal with me, put his nose on something. WOW!!!!!
So, stay tuned for my next play session which will be on Thursday. (Drat, I have to work all day tomorrow).
If you haven't been around Diesel's blog for a while, I promise to be more diligent so you can enjoy his journey as much as we are!
Thanks!
Marianne
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Lovin' Winter
Well, Diesel is doing remarkable. We are finding his joy!! He loves to be free (at liberty, Parelli calls it). He loves to run around, ring his neck and chase after the big boys. He has a personality that is abundantly wonderful! He packs a lot of spunk for a 36" high equine.
He never fails to amuse us. Lately, he wants to be in the snow and dig around until he finds a little patch of grass. Then he rolls and jumps and kicks up his heels! I do believe that he completely prefers the mud to snow, but he makes the best of it.
He has a bit of a hard time when we have to keep him in during bad weather. But he does really well and tries very hard to please. After being left to roam around 24 acres, I know life in a stall - for even just a few hours, tests his patience. But, the great thing is he loves lock up time. We stall our herd at night to keep everybody safe. And he, like the big boys, loves to come in at night, he takes a big deep breath is ready for hot mash and fresh hay. We check the boys usually once in the early evening and then right before we all head to sleep and many times we will find him dozing in his corner and flat out laying down. All the horses seem to really like life in the barn at night!
So, we will continue to work on Liberty play time and help Diesel just have fun. It is so rewarding to watch him blossom and trust, want to play, and settle in so securely here on our farm!
Winter Blessings to you all!
He never fails to amuse us. Lately, he wants to be in the snow and dig around until he finds a little patch of grass. Then he rolls and jumps and kicks up his heels! I do believe that he completely prefers the mud to snow, but he makes the best of it.
He has a bit of a hard time when we have to keep him in during bad weather. But he does really well and tries very hard to please. After being left to roam around 24 acres, I know life in a stall - for even just a few hours, tests his patience. But, the great thing is he loves lock up time. We stall our herd at night to keep everybody safe. And he, like the big boys, loves to come in at night, he takes a big deep breath is ready for hot mash and fresh hay. We check the boys usually once in the early evening and then right before we all head to sleep and many times we will find him dozing in his corner and flat out laying down. All the horses seem to really like life in the barn at night!
So, we will continue to work on Liberty play time and help Diesel just have fun. It is so rewarding to watch him blossom and trust, want to play, and settle in so securely here on our farm!
Winter Blessings to you all!
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Finding Diesel's Joy
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He loves to be dirty! It is Diesel's favorite hobby. This I know is one of his greatest JOYS!The days go by so quickly. It is so easy to get caught up in the day to day activities and responsibilities. But, every now and then you have a day that stands out in your mind.
I have been wondering how to find Diesel's "JOY." How to make him so interested in me and what I am doing with him. He is so kind, obedient, does what he is told...... but where was his JOY???? When I would lead him, I would walk right by his side with my hand on his withers. I wanted him to know me as his partner. I always felt like I disrespected him if I would lead him and walk in front of him. Even though he is the smallest of the herd, he deserves to be respected and treated with dignity. So, I would look in his eyes everyday that I fed him, played with him, groomed him and wonder -- how do I find his JOY? What makes him happy?
I think I finally found it!! On days when I just don't have the time to play the Parelli games with Diesel, but Allison and Lea have Scout and Eddie in the big pasture, we turn Diesel loose to just graze and be with the herd. I usually start out doing a little something with him. Maybe a couple games, maybe I might hope for one complete circle during the circling game, maybe a cavaletti or sideways. Anyway, usually after 15 or 20 minutes I turn him loose to just hang out in the pasture while the other boys are playing, since I usually have something I SHOULD be doing.
Well, last week, after I turned him loose, I walked up to him to doing something - a treat, a pat on the face, can't really remember. But, off he trotted, away from me, ringing his neck. Hmmm..... sort of a catching game?? So, I pursued him again and this time he ran off, ringing his neck, almost skipping ~~ do horses skip???? Not really, but he looked like it! So, we did this for another 15 minutes or so and he just looked like he was having a blast. Running around, getting in the big boy's way, ringing his neck, maybe even a little buck or poke!
I think I found his JOY! A silly little game of "you can't catch me," but a connection that brings us closer together each and every day. I'm glad that day that I put off my things I thought I SHOULD have been doing and took a little time with him. Because, like I said, I think I found a little piece of JOY in this little hinny's life. I don't believe he has had a lot of JOY in his life. So this was very special.
What a blessing this little, fuzzy white guy is in my life! Thank you Diesel, for always making me smile, for giving me a reason to go to the barn every day, for just bringing "JOY" into my life everyday. I hope I continue to grow and give you as much JOY as you give me!
Friday, November 6, 2009
I Get So MAD!!
Okay, so this is from Diesel's point of view - he is such a sweet pea! I just gotta share:
"Grrrr....... I get so mad! I love my new people and I would never hurt them. But when I get left behind, I just wanna spit!!! (Can Hinnys spit????)"
"Okay, so here is the deal. The two cute blondes that usually fuss over me, take out the two other dudes. That really big fat guy Eddie and the one I like to pick on, Scout (I love to run up behind him and BITE HIS BUTT). AND I GET LEFT BEHIND!!! So, I run around and ring my neck and let them know I am madder than a ..... oh, I don't know what."
"So, I throw my little Diesel temper-tantrum and they come runnin'! Woo-Hoo, works every time. And what do they do with me.......put me in the pasture to graze, graze, graze!"
"Ah, life is good." Until the next time they leave me behind and we do it all again!"
"I love this family ~~ they are such pushovers!"
See ya next time! Diesel!
"Grrrr....... I get so mad! I love my new people and I would never hurt them. But when I get left behind, I just wanna spit!!! (Can Hinnys spit????)"
"Okay, so here is the deal. The two cute blondes that usually fuss over me, take out the two other dudes. That really big fat guy Eddie and the one I like to pick on, Scout (I love to run up behind him and BITE HIS BUTT). AND I GET LEFT BEHIND!!! So, I run around and ring my neck and let them know I am madder than a ..... oh, I don't know what."
"So, I throw my little Diesel temper-tantrum and they come runnin'! Woo-Hoo, works every time. And what do they do with me.......put me in the pasture to graze, graze, graze!"
"Ah, life is good." Until the next time they leave me behind and we do it all again!"
"I love this family ~~ they are such pushovers!"
See ya next time! Diesel!
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Diesel Goes Dutch!
In a manner of speaking that is! A couple weeks ago, Scott had several days off in a row and the weather truly cooperated! So, we cut through the east side of Diesel's wall and put in a little dutch door for him. He also got a new gate to Scout's paddock run and a great little paddock of his own.
So, each of our boys (all 3) have dutch doors that lead to individual paddocks. We rotate all of them on either pasture or our Paddock Paradise Track. Scout and Diesel get the track and Eddie gets the pasture. They all three have very different nutritional needs, so this has worked out to be a real blessing at feeding time. We can weigh each of the boys hay and know exactly how much they are eating each day. And there are no fights over who eats what.
So we have a little more tidying up to do on Diesel's stall. His inside gate (as you can see) still needs to be trimmed down and painted. and we need a little more ag lime in his turnout to be sure there are no depressions that can collect rain - or ice - as we move into the winter months.
It is going to be a glorious winter with our new little member of the herd. Diesel is already getting so fuzzy and ready for the cold months. We changed the clocks back this past weekend and everybody is adjusting to the new routine. But all are doing well.
I just love this little guy. Imagine if I had not stopped and taken the time to inquire about him. Who knows where he would be right now! But, as my daughters continue to remind me, I can't live in the past when he was abandonded. He lives in the now and so must I. Wise words from wise young women!
So, each of our boys (all 3) have dutch doors that lead to individual paddocks. We rotate all of them on either pasture or our Paddock Paradise Track. Scout and Diesel get the track and Eddie gets the pasture. They all three have very different nutritional needs, so this has worked out to be a real blessing at feeding time. We can weigh each of the boys hay and know exactly how much they are eating each day. And there are no fights over who eats what.
So we have a little more tidying up to do on Diesel's stall. His inside gate (as you can see) still needs to be trimmed down and painted. and we need a little more ag lime in his turnout to be sure there are no depressions that can collect rain - or ice - as we move into the winter months.
It is going to be a glorious winter with our new little member of the herd. Diesel is already getting so fuzzy and ready for the cold months. We changed the clocks back this past weekend and everybody is adjusting to the new routine. But all are doing well.
I just love this little guy. Imagine if I had not stopped and taken the time to inquire about him. Who knows where he would be right now! But, as my daughters continue to remind me, I can't live in the past when he was abandonded. He lives in the now and so must I. Wise words from wise young women!
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