My mare was absolutely petrified of the donkeys

[Gloi]

I once did a joust at a country fair right next to a hot air balloon display and was all prepared for that to be a problem. Turns out humongous, slowly growing balloons, flappy streamers, noisy burners, etc. are just fine and dandy, but MINIATURE HORSES in a pen at the end of the jousting arena are the work of the devil to be dramatically avoided at all costs. We've always had various mules, donkeys, pigs, goats, geese, peacocks, etc. around the farm so they were all good with non-horse animals*, but tiny ponies? Nopety-nope.

*I won't mention the camels.......

Country fairs ! Sometimes the organisers are crazy. One I was at, they had the gymkhana next to the helicopter rides.

 

[Cortez]

Country fairs ! Sometimes the organisers are crazy. One I was at, they had the gymkhana next to the helicopter rides.

Oh yeah, we've had the helicopters landing next to the ring too. Unfortunately it was during the PC mounted games.....lots of riderless ponies galloping around through the crowds and crying children in heaps. Purely by luck nobody hurt.

 

[Gloi]

Oh yeah, we've had the helicopters landing next to the ring too. Unfortunately it was during the PC mounted games.....lots of riderless ponies galloping around through the crowds and crying children in heaps. Purely by luck nobody hurt.

Sounds like we had very similar experiences

 

[AthenesOwl]

You should have seen my little herd when I bought a coloured shetland. They all bolted to the other end of the field! They were ok once they realised what he was though.

I remember having to swap horses in a riding school lesson when the horse I was riding point blank refused to go to the end of the school that was next to a field which had a new pony in it. Said pony was an absolutely tiny piebald miniature Shetland and she was deeply suspicious of him. Even when my instructor got on, she was still sure he was terrifying, so we gave up and I swapped to another horse.

The school now has a free range miniature Shetland (long story), who is quite elderly and wore a tiny rug for a lot longer than anyone else on the yard. My regular ride was very unsure of him the first time he saw the Shetland without his rug. I think my horse thought he was a new small pony he’d never met before. Not bothered by the resident donkeys though.

 

[littleshetland]

I currently have a donkey on livery at my yard, and none of the other horses have been bothered by her at all. We've had several 'sensitive' competition type horses come and go since she's been here, and none of them have really given her a second look. She is rather adorable tho...apart from the ear splitting honking and wheezing noises she makes from time to time!

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

When I had my first horse a few of us were out hacking and there was a circus on the field we were on, unfortunately we didn't realise the camels were tethered as they were lying down, until off course one of them stood up and all our horses ran off one of us fell off it was carnage

 

[Glitterandrainbows]

My very well bred trakehner from a reputable breeder would have nothing to with donkeys, or pigs and would get hysterical at the slightest whiff or sound of either, generally long before I knew what was going on. She kind of got used to sheep but was always wary of cows. It did make me think that perhaps horse breeders should consider a little sideline in scary animals that roam around with the mares and foals

My previous TB was raised on a farm and was very good at shooing cattle and sheep out of the way.

I suspect that, inadvertently, having farm animals roaming around may be what happens in Ireland as I have met a few imported Irish horses that never turned a hair at any livestock, including pigs and donkeys.

My youngster has had donkeys, cows, sheep, alpacas,shetlands in the feild with him so I’ll let you know if he is scared of them as adult he’s definitely not now and actually chases the sheep a lot

 

[Nonjumper]

I remember reading a book by someone who bred mules, and they said that it wasn't uncommon for mares to freak out at the sight of the donkey. In fact for one mare they had to carefully flex and tie the donkey's ears so they appeared shorter, then the mare allowed him near her.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

View attachment 144927

One of ours has to say hello to the donkeys on our route. He loved them. The only time he got upset was when the little *** decided to gallop along the fence line as we moved off!

Your horse looks so similar to our 1st Appaloosa that I almost thought it was her, except that it couldn't have been as she could spot a donkey 2 fields away and panic!0

 

[exracehorse]

I remember reading a book by someone who bred mules, and they said that it wasn't uncommon for mares to freak out at the sight of the donkey. In fact for one mare they had to carefully flex and tie the donkey's ears so they appeared shorter, then the mare allowed him near her.

Wow ! Presumably to cover her ?

 

[Tarragon]

I went cubbing once with the Suffolk Hunt back in the 1970's, riding my donkey Jasmine. I just remember being surrounded by a very respectful distance by all the horses, like I was in a bubble.

 

[exracehorse]

I went cubbing once with the Suffolk Hunt back in the 1970's, riding my donkey Jasmine. I just remember being surrounded by a very respectful distance by all the horses, like I was in a bubble.

Wow. Do you have any photos? Of you riding Jasmine

 

[Nonjumper]

Wow ! Presumably to cover her ?

Yes, for covering.

 

[First Frost]

My young horse was fine when he met a donkey - until it made a noise to say hello! Then he nearly died of shock!!!
He was also terrified of cows and sheep, but he's got over that by continuous exposure. The 2 very large, vocal and friendly goats at our yard have helped. He is happy to share a haynet with them now.

 

[sjdress]

My older mare is petrified of Donkeys and when we meet any out walking she loses it! Even before she has seen them, not sure if they have a weird smell or something! She’s usually very sensible so I know she is being genuine! My young horse met them recently and wasn’t at all bothered!

 

[Tarragon]

Wow. Do you have any photos? Of

Sadly not of me riding her, but I do have this picture. She was a big donkey. Bigger than my 12.2 section A pony.

 

[exracehorse]

Sadly not of me riding her, but I do have this picture. She was a big donkey. Bigger than my 12.2 section A pony.

View attachment 144971Lovely girl.

 

[poiuytrewq]

I got well and truly lost once exploring a new bridleway that split and Id taken the wrong turn. By the time I realised where i was it was getting late and i'd not have got home before dark so chose to cut across a footpath to the road and get home that way. except there were two donkeys in the field just off the path.... Just wow Horse was very safe and sweet but a very nervous snorty and he was not at all happy about passing them!