Hacking past donkeys

[luna*lucky]

Hoping someone might have some tips for hacking past excitable donkeys. My young mare is a little spooky, but not too bad considering we have to hack alone. Around our village there are various paddocks with all sorts... horses, sheep, pigs, cows and donkeys. She notices, but is generally learning/settling as we continue to collect good experiences. For some reason the donkeys are becoming a particular issue because as soon as they see her they run down the field and along the fenceline, right next to the lane we're on. Each time, she's now pre-empting it and then is proven right because she gets 'chased'. There's only one 'quiet' lane loop from ours, and they're right on it. The more she reacts, snorts, spooks and generally feels panicked - the more they want to get to her.

I've tried getting far enough past the end of their field that she can still see them without them running over, then letting her have a look (rather than continuing to rush away from them) - but the donkeys then took off rather unhelpfully spooking her further. Typically, I like to give her a minute to process things, but in this scenario it's more like running the gauntlet.

They don't do this to my gelding... they didn't budge from the other side of the field went I went past this morning.

 

[humblepie]

Is it a quiet lane and what is she like in hand as just wondering if you can lead her there and spend some time safely? Years ago horse I had really didn’t like donkeys though possibly it’s them running around upsetting your mare. Am sure others will have better suggestions.

 

[Mrs. Jingle]

If they don't do it to your gelding are they perhaps entire? Is your mare in season? If the answer to both those questions is yes then please be very, very careful. An entire donkey will manage to get out of even the most secure fencing if he gets a sniff of a mare in season.

If your gelding is quite OK passing them is it possible to get a rider to come with you and see if that calms your younger mare? Might be worth a try a few timed to see if she settles and ignores them.

 

[SEL]

Can you find someone donkey proof to give you a lead? My neighbour has donkeys so all of mine are used to them (they hang out together either side of the fence so are buddies) it means I can act as the donkey escort for anyone who needs help.

We have also been the pig & goat escorts

 

[luna*lucky]

Thanks all - will have a think about how to try/retry some of these! I had my instructor ride her earlier in the year after a winter break, together while I rode my gelding to give a little confidence boost. She was fearful but where my gelding was in between, they were only staring - so not with quite the same intent. Certainly still helped. I had thought of leading her, though it would be maybe a mile... my concern is that I'd have preferred to go wide round them, and then let her calm, but because the lane is narrow with parked cars the other side - I'd have to be awfully close straight away and I think it would attract them more. I don't want to actually 'introduce' them at all, thinking that would make it even more of a 'thing' for the donkeys. Annoyingly, as she was growing up (had her since a yearling), I did use to long-line her on this route and I don't remember the donkeys being interested, so, perhaps she's in season as suggested. She hasn't actually been visibly in season, ever, but the vet mentioned she could have silent heats. It's only been a problem in recent months.

Remaining ideas were leading her from him which I often do round our paddocks.... but having two (large, might I add) horses right out in the village prompts thoughts of 'what-if' disaster scenarios. Other idea is hubby on a bike attempt to deter donkeys with a minor noise... did sort of work at the last attempt but while it pushed them off the fence it made them dance about instead. Clearly, they are not ours to 'shoo' either (not sure who's they are, never seen anyone there).