A bit for a donkey

[Cobbytype]

The donks I took to in May are just fab. I've started to lead them out but the bigger guy is a bit keen and I think it's best if we get him bridle trained over the summer. We're fine on the farm track at the moment, but I don't want to go donkey skiing through the village when we start to bring them home each day in the winter.

So, I'm researching bits for donks and the general consensus seems to lean towards a nylon mullen mouth snaffle. Can anyone offer any experience regarding bits for donks?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Cortez]

We just use a normal (but tiny) snaffle for our mule, he used to be quite "keen" too........as in rabid, charging off, charging about, feral son-of-a-donkey type antics, but now he's quite a good boy ;-)

 

[stencilface]

We just use a normal (but tiny) snaffle for our mule, he used to be quite "keen" too........as in rabid, charging off, charging about, feral son-of-a-donkey type antics, but now he's quite a good boy ;-)

Can i just ask how you changed your mule around?! I can get a bridle on mine, but only if I deconstruct it is no touching his ears! I prefer to work him in a halter with a clicker as I worry fighting him in a bridle will just ruin his mouth, he's 4. Ive bee told if i get into a fight with him i have to go hard or go home, and as he never gves in i would have to go very hard n He's clever, and very muleish!

 

[Cortez]

Can i just ask how you changed your mule around?! I can get a bridle on mine, but only if I deconstruct it is no touching his ears! I prefer to work him in a halter with a clicker as I worry fighting him in a bridle will just ruin his mouth, he's 4. Ive bee told if i get into a fight with him i have to go hard or go home, and as he never gves in i would have to go very hard n He's clever, and very muleish!

Ah, but mules ARE really clever And they get scared very easily, so I just wait until he gets it, and don't give up. Ever. I've also never whacked him (not my usual ethos - sometimes a good slap is just the ticket when a horse is being silly), so it's patience and planning for our Rufus. He used to be feral (as in untouched), then he was naughty; now he's pleasant 99% of the time.

The ears thing is common, I started off with a good stock of carrots and a soft brush. Oh, and I wouldn't worry too much about his mouth - mules work best off their nose, so a bit of pressure there will be more effective.

 

[Cobbytype]

We just use a normal (but tiny) snaffle for our mule, he used to be quite "keen" too........as in rabid, charging off, charging about, feral son-of-a-donkey type antics, but now he's quite a good boy ;-)

Ha ha, I've a feeling Casper will get that way once we venture further afield. I didn't expect 'onward bound' with a donk somehow... I was thinking of a leisurely stroll with a weedy little thing with big ears lagging behind, but I'm having to lengthen my stride quite a lot to keep up;-)

 

[stencilface]

Ah, but mules ARE really clever And they get scared very easily, so I just wait until he gets it, and don't give up. Ever. I've also never whacked him (not my usual ethos - sometimes a good slap is just the ticket when a horse is being silly), so it's patience and planning for our Rufus. He used to be feral (as in untouched), then he was naughty; now he's pleasant 99% of the time.

The ears thing is common, I started off with a good stock of carrots and a soft brush. Oh, and I wouldn't worry too much about his mouth - mules work best off their nose, so a bit of pressure there will be more effective.

Thanks thats really interesting, thats why I didn't want to get him a bridle really (although I have the tiniest fulmer snaffle for him!). I haven't done much with him really bar the very basics as I find its one step forwards, one hundred back. Some days I just aim to get him in, brush him and pick his feet out, do some leading and standing and then turn him out before I can mess it up! He's strong and very flighty, so before I take him anywhere near the roads I need him to have confidence in me. I'm hoping once our arena is finished in a few weeks I'll be able to play more games with him to develop this. I've stood him near the road, but to be honest he's a liability and I worry about letting go and him running off down the road. I think things have improved since I starter the clicker, and we can play a game of stand and touch

I know he needs time putting into him, but thats one of the things I lack! I have my horse to rehab I (again, sigh) and my WHW mule's WHW pony friend also needs to do stuff, and as he's soooooo much easier than the mule to do things with, I end up going for the easy option most days when I don't want a discussion about why I want to walk down this way. Sigh.

I was told that mules didn't scare easy, and they didn't have the same flight repsonse as horses, total lie - he's very flighty!

Slapping doesn't work, it just irks him more. I can use the stick as an aid to walk on if things are going well, but the instant we hit problems a whip only makes things 1000x worse, my arm would drop off before he responded in that situation!

 

[Ladyinred]

Thanks thats really interesting, thats why I didn't want to get him a bridle really (although I have the tiniest fulmer snaffle for him!). I haven't done much with him really bar the very basics as I find its one step forwards, one hundred back. Some days I just aim to get him in, brush him and pick his feet out, do some leading and standing and then turn him out before I can mess it up! He's strong and very flighty, so before I take him anywhere near the roads I need him to have confidence in me. I'm hoping once our arena is finished in a few weeks I'll be able to play more games with him to develop this. I've stood him near the road, but to be honest he's a liability and I worry about letting go and him running off down the road. I think things have improved since I starter the clicker, and we can play a game of stand and touch

I know he needs time putting into him, but thats one of the things I lack! I have my horse to rehab I (again, sigh) and my WHW mule's WHW pony friend also needs to do stuff, and as he's soooooo much easier than the mule to do things with, I end up going for the easy option most days when I don't want a discussion about why I want to walk down this way. Sigh.

I was told that mules didn't scare easy, and they didn't have the same flight repsonse as horses, total lie - he's very flighty!

Slapping doesn't work, it just irks him more. I can use the stick as an aid to walk on if things are going well, but the instant we hit problems a whip only makes things 1000x worse, my arm would drop off before he responded in that situation!

Why not get a saddler to make you a strap with buckles at each end to fit the bit to your headcollar. It works very well for a horse that is touchy about its ears. I actually designed one years ago and had it made and the blinking saddler was so impressed with the idea the cheeky *** pinched the idea and patented it and sold loads of them

 

[stencilface]

Thanks might do. Sounds like a good idea. Although actually handling issues for the vet for vaccinations and for dentist are my biggest problems. He's suspicious of anyone new and a nightnare to vaccinate. Never had his teeth done (apart from a traumatic day taking 3 Wolf teeth out!) And vaccinations involve a quick and competent vet to do it before he jumps all over the place. I hope this year might be better after more work, fingers crossed. He's ok for his feet trim though

Sorry for post hijack op!

 

[Cobbytype]

Thanks might do. Sounds like a good idea. Although actually handling issues for the vet for vaccinations and for dentist are my biggest problems. He's suspicious of anyone new and a nightnare to vaccinate. Never had his teeth done (apart from a traumatic day taking 3 Wolf teeth out!) And vaccinations involve a quick and competent vet to do it before he jumps all over the place. I hope this year might be better after more work, fingers crossed. He's ok for his feet trim though

Sorry for post hijack op!

No problem, it's all interesting reading as I'm new to donks and their little ways