Behavior Blog Posts

I had a situation happen recently here at the ranch that I would not have thought was possible. My adult jack Caliente' got his head stuck between the gate and the post it is latched to and proceeded to hang himself. If I had not been blessed the arrival of my son to help me I would have lost him. Here is my story.

I have had the privilege of living with Miniature Donkeys for the past 20 years. I love to watch the language they use with each other. It can be so subtle. Horses in a social situation can be explosive in that they will sometimes squeal, spin and kick with both hind feet, bite, etc to assert their dominance over each other.

The Internet is full of articles discussing the theory of why horse's crib and how to manage them. Even with this vast store of information, there is still a lot of rural folklore about cribbers that cast them as virtual pariahs of the barnyard that should be avoided. Woe to the unfortunate owner who happens to have a cribber reside in their pasture or barn.

This is a public notice. We need your help in apprehending a group of suspected criminals who vandalized a property located on San Bruno Avenue of Morgan Hill, California.

Mike has literally been a horseman since birth; a family friend gave his parents a horse for him the day he was born. Mike grew up next to a poorly managed cattle ranch where his early exposure to horsemanship was rough handling and intimidation to create submission. Even as a young man Mike knew there had to be better way.

Crib-Free Testimonies

Caymous

He has not had any slip ups at all. I have been able to turn him out for most of the day several times in the big pasture near the barn. He doesnt even pay any attention to his old cribbing spots.

Miniature Donkeys are gregarious, inquisitive, busy little equines and are generally looking for something to do. This might be chewing on your trees or barn, braying, pacing the fence line, and other not so wonderful pursuits. Or, you can channel that energy into something you would rather they do.

Horse Cribbing and how to Solve Through Training

In August of 2010 I traveled to Belgium, Holland, and England to study Miniature Donkey farms and lost my heart to yet another equine. I am speaking of the incredible Poitou donkeys from France. I met my first registered Poitou in Holland. A group of jennys and foals slowly came up in their big boned, loose jointed way and surrounded my friends and me.

Well, maybe. The reputation is earned but those of us who love our long ear friends, donkeys and mules alike, might see it differently. So I am offering a brief look into the psyche of the Ass - just for fun.