Donkey Driving

WDMS (Wisconsin Donkey & Mule Society) 2004 Driving Clinic for all sized donkeys and mules!  Our instructor for the weekend was Wayne Lyons (respected miniature donkey trainer) from Alberta Canada.
Red Sunset was the only “mini jack” present, along with several mini geldings, and the rest were standard and mammoth jennets (no less than 2 were in season) so Red Sunset was the noise maker for a while. I finally decided to remind him of “his” height and the height of those tall girls. After taking a closer look at the big girls he finally relented into the task at hand and started learning driving skills.
(above & below)Red Sunset harnessed and demonstrating line driving in the round pen for the class!

 Once Red Sunset was well situated into line driving in the round pen we ventured out into the open arena and line drove through a series of obsticles.  When you master your line driving skills and your donkey is a responsive and a willing partner it is time for you to introduce him to the cart.

(below) Sunset in harness and hooked to the cart. 
Wayne is instructing on proper fit, hooking and saftey tips!

 Now, Red Sunset was ready to test out his cart in the round pen. Wayne going over proper handling of the reins, and hand and mouth contact.
(below left)Sunset backing to light bit pressure.
(lower right) Wayne instructing on the principals of moving your donkey forward!

  (above) Red Sunset was ready to test out his cart and have a passenger
(while still working in the round pen with header control for safety). 
(below) Wayne instructing while heading Sunset, and off we go!!!!

 Red Sunset and I were off on our own (above) getting a little close to the rail
(while still working in the round pen area). 
(below) Sunset and I getting accustom to the round pen before heading out into the big ring.

  Red Sunset and I went home and practiced our driving a few more times after the clinic, then we were off to the WDMS Show in early June.
 (only 2 weeks after the clinic)!
Sunset was the only mini in a class of 7 large donkeys & mules. That day at the show Sunset was hooked only 7 times to the cart. He went on to win 3rd in the open driving class, and 2nd in the obstacle driving class.  He also got to try snigging, although he was the only mini entry there, we were very proud of our boy. 
We noticed that he needed to work in a deeper footing to prepare for the shows, and also we need to work on the “breaks” (he really is a forward mover)!
(above) We are waiting for the class at the WDMS to start. 

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