Stubborn as a Donkey? More like Sweet as a Donkey!

Before beginning to volunteer at the horse rescue, I had limited contact with donkeys. There had been one at the ranch I worked at several years ago, but he was a grumpy old guy (and completely untouchable) so I didn’t have a whole lot of interaction with him.

The rescue currently has 3 donkeys, Marty, Jack Jack and Chico. Marty’s a total attention hog! He obviously must have been loved quite a bit at some point in his live, because he loves being around people and getting bushed and petted. He’s the medium sized spotted fellow in the picture above and the one below.

In the photo below, he’s hanging out with his buddy Chico. Chico’s a little jealous because Marty was getting all the attention. They both were probably hoping for a horse treat or two, as well!

Have you ever heard the phrase “Stubborn as a donkey” or “Stubborn as a mule?” Donkeys and mules have acquired quite a bit of a bad reputation over the years as being stubborn, ornery and generally hard to work with.

A horse’s instinct is run away and move it’s feet if it feels frightened or threatened. This is one reason why traditional horse training relies so heavily on negative reinforcement. A bit of carefully applied pressure, with an appropriately timed release, can quickly be used to teach a horse to respond to cues and move in certain directions.

Donkeys have some flight instinct. However, their flight response is not nearly as strong as a horse’s. So, in a situation where a horse might try to run away or escape, if a donkey feels threatened, frightened or confused, he might plant his feet and refuse to move. A donkey would rather spend sometime thinking about and studying a situation, which earns him a reputation for being stubborn. A bit of positive reinforcement can work wonders with a donkey, as it gives them a bit of motivation and something to work for!

But why work, when you can spend the afternoon relaxing in the shade with a pretty bay mare? That’s what Jack Jack the donkey is doing in the photo below.

One more last photo of Marty and Chico. We’ve been really pleased that these two are hanging out, as Marty was a bit of an outcast when he first arrived. Recently, Chico seems to have accepted him into the little donkey herd. However, neither can accept why I’m wasting time taking photos when I should be scratching them and feeding them treats!

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12 Responses to Stubborn as a Donkey? More like Sweet as a Donkey!

  1. Kate November 6, 2009 at 11:11 am #

    I’ve never been around donkeys, but they seem very sweet and intelligent. Thanks for the pictures!

  2. carson November 6, 2009 at 3:38 pm #

    If everyone knew what we knew about donkeys, more people would adopt them. Is there a sweeter animal on earth? I don’t think so. I hope these three find forever homes soon. If not, they look like they’re in very good hands.

    • Mary Hunter November 7, 2009 at 5:10 am #

      Thanks Carson!

      I agree with you, donkeys are very sweet! Chico and Jack Jack are permanent residents at the sanctuary, but hopefully we’ll be able to find a great home for Marty.

      Mary

  3. nancy November 6, 2009 at 5:41 pm #

    Mikey is our resident donkey – and I can safely say unlike a horse who in time will forgive us for the indiscretions of other humans donkey’s aren’t quite as willing. Mike was in the meat pen so I had no history other than he was so cute – well he’s been here 8 years and still only tolerates our presence. Though you can tell he wants to trust – I would never say he’s stubborn but one could say he measures his words very carefully. He does love scratches, but please don’t touch his ears first where most humans want to venture you have to earn that privilege! You don’t have to worry about some dog coming in and bothering the herd – he takes care of them! In a very serious way for those not clear that donkeys think more like a predator when it comes to defence. and he knows when he needs to have his feet trimmed – and he will come over in the winter to get the snowballs knocked off his feet. He’s been a joy to have in the herd – and by the way establish parameters but never assume that donkeys assume the fence is there for them too. Mikey is an escape artist but never ventures far – just needs to prove that while the horses may not think their way through these things – he does!

    • Mary Hunter November 7, 2009 at 5:11 am #

      Hi Nancy,

      Thanks for sharing your story! Sounds like Mikey has found a perfect home with you and your herd.

      Mary

  4. Kristen November 10, 2009 at 12:29 am #

    Hi Mary-
    Thanks for your sweet comment on my blog.
    I’m signed up for your blog and just scrolling thru quickly made me smile. The donkeys are ADORABLE!!! Love love them! I will read up more with clicker training as soon (hooves crossed) as I get my guy hopefully thru this laminitis.
    Thanks! 🙂

    • Mary Hunter November 11, 2009 at 4:25 am #

      Thanks Kristen!

      I’m so glad you liked the donkey photos! I absolutely love the donkeys, they are such sweeties.

      Good luck with your horse. I hope he has a speedy recovery.

      Mary

  5. Jim December 4, 2009 at 5:54 pm #

    Been bitten by a donkey when I was a child. Used to spend my summers in a farm and must say that overall donkeys are great animals (not as noble as hourses of course)

    • Mary Hunter December 5, 2009 at 5:24 am #

      “not as noble as horses of course”

      Just don’ tell that to the donkeys!

  6. Lisa Manolius January 2, 2010 at 7:06 pm #

    Hi Mary,

    Thanks for this enjoyable and informative post on donkeys. They are so cute!

    I’ve always wondered about whether they really are stubborn and so it was nice to read that that old expression is yet another myth. . . and isn’t that true of so many commonly held beliefs about animals?

    Your post makes me want to get to know a donkey. Too bad you never see them in San Francisco.

    Cheers!
    Lisa

    • Mary Hunter January 3, 2010 at 5:19 pm #

      Thanks Lisa! I’m glad you enjoyed the post.

      We have one for adoption right now, but I don’t think he’d do very well in San Francisco!

      cheers,

      Mary

  7. Mary Hunter January 3, 2010 at 11:19 am #

    Thanks Lisa! I'm glad you enjoyed the post.

    We have one for adoption right now, but I don't think he'd do very well in San Francisco!

    cheers,

    Mary

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