Donkeys are recognized to type sturdy attachments to different donkeys. When this occurs, they’re also known as a bonded pair. Separating a pair of bonded donkeys may cause excessive stress to each people.
Bonded pairs are steadily referenced amongst donkey house owners, and have been scientifically validated based mostly on a examine of home donkeys revealed in 2012.
Blue (proper) and Moon (left)
Case Examine: Blue & Moon – Historical past
I did plenty of analysis earlier than adopting Blue and Moon, two BLM burros from Arizona.
Whereas they had been gathered from the identical HMA (herd administration space), they had been gathered on completely different dates, so it’s unlikely they’d interacted within the wild. Each got here to a Colorado-based donkey rescue and adoption facility within the fall of 2021, the place we chosen them.
From early footage, Blue and Moon had been usually positioned proper subsequent to one another. They got here to stay with us in February 2022, the place they might be the one donkeys.
Blue and Moon would transfer in sync with one another.
Even when turned out in a bigger pasture, they had been normally inside 20 toes of one another always. I as soon as tried separating them after Blue injured Moon taking part in tough so Moon would have a while to heal. Blue then scraped up his face making an attempt to flee to get again to Moon.
“Exceptionally Troublesome”
Blue and Moon have been additional troublesome to coach. Whereas I’m new to donkeys, I rapidly acknowledged I used to be in over my head and requested for assist.
I’ve had a number of donkey professionals weigh in on their coaching and behaviors. I’ve additionally taken classes on find out how to prepare my donkeys, learn books, and brought on-line programs to higher perceive and browse their physique language.
Blue and Moon at sundown
Moon, whereas sluggish to coach, behaved like a traditional donkey. His physique language is sensible, and he acts in a predictable manner. We’ve got been in a position to make sluggish progress over the past yr and a half.
Blue, then again, has been very troublesome to learn.
He’s reactive and, at occasions, explosive.
It was exhausting for me to chill out round him, as I used to be continually nervous about getting kicked.
After a yr and a half of making an attempt to coach these two, I hit my breaking level.
I had put Blue in a squeeze pen to try to get some fly spray on him and he tried to kick me, by means of the fence panel. I used to be terrified he would get his leg caught within the steel fencing and break it.
It grew to become crystal clear in that prompt that it was time to make a change.
Altering it Up
I reached out to a neighborhood donkey sanctuary, ReDONKulous Ranch, for assist. Amber and Brad had come out a couple of months earlier to assist me on the farm and had been accustomed to my state of affairs. They had been fast to assist me formulate a plan.
Trailer desensitization
I used to be very involved about separating Blue and Moon.
They had been clearly a bonded pair, and I used to be positive separating them would trigger plenty of stress. I requested that Amber and Brad deliver me two donkeys–one to stick with Moon, and the opposite to experience within the trailer with Blue so he wouldn’t be by himself.
Einstein, the donkey I hire for pack burro racing, got here to stay with Moon. Einstein is an absolute saint–he’s quiet and chill, and had come to stick with us earlier within the yr so I may log some coaching miles with him.
Amber and Brad introduced Burrito, one other calm, well-trained donkey to make the journey with Blue.
We unloaded Einstein, leaving Burrito on the trailer, earlier than herding Blue and Moon onto the trailer. This was their first time getting on a trailer in a yr and a half, and it solely took a couple of minutes! I used to be shocked at how simple it was to load them.
Then, we had been in a position to halter Moon on the trailer and lead him again off. Blue stayed within the trailer with Burrito.
I used to be positive there can be braying, kicking, and indicators that the donkeys had been burdened. However they’d no response.
Everybody was wonderful.
Truthfully? I used to be extra stressed than any of the donkeys!
Whereas it appeared like Blue and Moon had been a bonded pair, I’m guessing their time spent within the wild (6-7 years every) makes them extra “fluid” in the case of altering up the herd.
If I had been to separate them with out offering one other donkey companion, I’m positive it might have been a nerve-racking occasion. So long as they’ve a good friend, it’s business-as-usual.
Einstein “ponying” Moon
Particular person Progress
The choice to separate Blue and Mon was a troublesome one. Nevertheless, it’s proved to be among the finest factor I may have achieved.
In a single month, Moon has progressed greater than in a yr and a half. He haltered simply, lead, masses on/off the trailer, and allowed me to select his left toes for the primary time. He allowed me on his proper facet, and tolerated me making use of Swat ointment for fly management.
Moon went to a different farm for nearly every week to hang around with some new donkeys whereas Einstein races the Pack Burro Racing Triple Crown. He did nice, and it strengthened our bond much more. I’m extremely happy with this donkey!
Supply: Bottomless Backpacks
Blue can also be making progress. He moved in with an older group of donkeys that helped higher stability out his vitality. Blue is ready to be haltered, led, and fly sprayed. He’s acquired handlers working with him which are assured and aren’t intimidated by his behaviors. I acquired weekly updates on him and look ahead to seeing his continued progress!
Conclusion
Sure, donkeys can type bonded pairs.
Within the case of Blue and Moon, each previously wild burros, disrupting this bond didn’t trigger stress like it might have with a pair of home donkeys.
Offering one other donkey companion was not solely adequate, however a chilled presence that has allowed each people to make important coaching progress in a brief time period.
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Sources:
Pair-bonding and companion recognition in home donkeys, Equus asinus
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