Donkeys

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April 27, 2010

Scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours

Posted by Morning Bray under Burros, Donkeys | Tags: burros, Fergus, grooming, Nigel |
[22] Comments

Sunday afternoon, I looked out the window and saw Nigel and Fergus doing something that up until then, I had only seen illustrations of in The Donkey Companion. They were mutually grooming each other.

Then again, in the exact same location, yesterday afternoon. In this video, notice Ellsworth in the background rubbing his head on the pipe fencing.

I wonder why Bernard and Ellsworth don’t do this. Do George and Alan do it? What about Chester and Beau? Ruby and Gracie? What about your donkeys or horses or other critters? I wonder if it’s a trust issue. Surely Bernard and Ellsworth trust each other; they freak out if they’re separated for five seconds. You equine enthusiasts out there must have some thoughts, and we’re all ears.

April 26, 2010

Rapt attention

Posted by Morning Bray under Burros, Donkeys | Tags: burros, donkeys, Morning Bray Farm |
[15] Comments

Each time a horse and rider pass the road in front of Morning Bray Farm, time seems to stand still for the boys.

They watch with rapt attention,

and gentle curiosity.

I always wonder what they’re thinking.

April 24, 2010

Saturday Parts – Noses

Posted by Morning Bray under Burros, Donkeys, Saturday Parts & Stuff | Tags: Bernard, burros, donkeys, Ellsworth, Fergus, Nigel, noses, treats |
[10] Comments

Treat times have become quite a scene here over the past week.

Day by day, Nigel is losing his fear.

Fergus has lost a lot of his shyness. Shocking, huh?

Not to worry, Ellsworth is still in charge.

Nigel is becoming more and more accustomed to us, the camera and our daily activities.

As was the case with Fergus several days ago, Nigel is becoming increasingly curious.

My goodness, they’re so easy to love. I can’t wait to be able to kiss Nigel on the nose.

April 22, 2010

First touches

Posted by Morning Bray under Burros, Donkeys | Tags: burros, Don, donkeys, eye boogers, Fergus, grooming, hug, Nigel, playing |
[23] Comments

Fergus and Nigel are making remarkable progress during their first few days at Morning Bray Farm. By Monday, Fergus was taking carrots and apple slices from my hand.

On Monday afternoon, he was coming to me out of curiosity. (Thank goodness I’ve since been able to remove his eye boogers.)

And let me touch him for the very first time.

On Tuesday afternoon, Fergus allowed Don to brush him.

And even permitted a hug. Nigel is still never far from Fergus.

It was also Tuesday when Nigel took his first apple slice from my hand. No picture because I didn’t want to freak him out with the camera, but I was doing the happy dance in my head.

Yesterday morning, I looked out the window and thought, “Oh look, Bernard and Ellsworth are playing.” I had to do a double take. It wasn’t Bernard and Ellsworth, it was Fergus and Ellsworth! And Bernard and Nigel!

April 21, 2010

Just when we think we can’t possibly love them more

Posted by Morning Bray under Donkeys, Friends and Family | Tags: Bernard, Carson, donkeys, Ellsworth, Fergus, friends, love, Nigel, saddle, saddle pad, tack |
[17] Comments

When Carson came to meet Fergus and Nigel on Sunday morning, she brought an extra saddle for us to try on Ellsworth. While initially hesitant about the saddle pad, he was a gold star student once she got the saddle on him. Just look at this handsome boy!

You can call me clueless when it comes to tack, so having Carson here showing us the ropes was a blessing.

Bernard was present with Ellsworth for moral support. Because Bernard was continuously putting something in his mouth, trying to pull something off Ellsworth or stealing carrot coins from Aunt Linda, Don decided to give him a task of his own. Our young boy looked mighty proud strutting his stuff.

When Carson asked if I was ready to hop up on Ellsworth, I was beside myself with excitement. Ellsworth stood there like an old pro, then took a few gentle steps.

Thank you Ellsworth. I love you so much.

After a few more minutes of tack instruction, our first lesson was complete. Just when we think we can’t possibly love them more, the boys continue to give us new reasons. Every, single day.

April 20, 2010

Figuring things out

Posted by Morning Bray under Burros, Donkeys | Tags: adjustment, Bernard, burros, Don, donkeys, Ellsworth, Fergus, flehmen, hierarchy, introduction, kicking, Nigel, peace |
[18] Comments

We physically introduced all four boys to each other early Saturday afternoon. There was a lot of the flehmen response going on as everyone got accustomed to new smells.

We knew there was going to be an adjustment period as they figured out their hierarchy. Bernard’s introduction to Fergus and Nigel was completely uneventful.

Given Ellsworth’s status as head donkey, we thought things probably wouldn’t play out as smoothly with him. Even before we allowed them to meet physically, Ellsworth was charging the fence with his ears pinned back each time Fergus or Nigel got close. Sure enough, once we let him loose, Ellsworth went straight to Fergus and Nigel to let them know he was in charge.

Fergus and Nigel really weren’t having it. I admit there were moments when I felt I couldn’t breathe.

Ellsworth looked maniacal at times.

Don would step in to calm things down.

And then it would start back up again.

Thank goodness Ellsworth always knew to keep his chin up.

He did get kicked square in the chest quite a few times though.

In the end, it appears Ellsworth maintained head donkey status, along with a healthy respect for both Fergus and Nigel. It’s clear they aren’t going to tolerate being bullied, Fergus especially.

Ellsworth got a lot of extra love and attention that afternoon.

And peace once again returned to Morning Bray Farm.

April 18, 2010

Sunday Cinema – Frolicking

Posted by Morning Bray under Burros, Donkeys, Sunday Cinema | Tags: burros, donkeys, frolicking, herd |
[20] Comments

So you know who’s who… in order:

Bernard, then Ellsworth (stinker cut the corner), then Fergus, and last but certainly not least, Nigel.

Bernard is having so much fun. He always seems to be floating effortlessly when he runs.

On the first day, the boys are acting and moving as a herd. Yipee!

April 17, 2010

For Carson

Posted by Morning Bray under Burros, Donkeys, Friends and Family | Tags: burros, Carson, donkeys, friends |
[10] Comments

April 17, 2010

And then there were four

Posted by Morning Bray under Burros, Donkeys | Tags: Bernard, burros, donkeys, Ellsworth, Fergus, Nigel |
[23] Comments

Fergus definitely picked us.

And so did someone else. We haven’t picked a name for him yet and it’s driving me crazy that I don’t know what to call him. I’m driving Don crazy too.

There’s so much to tell you and we promise to fill you in as soon as we can. We got home yesterday afternoon to miserably high winds, followed by heavy rains, which lasted all night. It’s a big mucky mess here today.

The donkey boys are very excited about their new brothers. Bernard seems super excited and we all can’t wait to physically introduce donkeys and burros… perhaps later today. I have reassured Bernard that he is still the baby and always will be.

For now, everyone is doing fine.

And I can’t imagine being happier.

April 15, 2010

A burro brother

Posted by Morning Bray under Burros, Donkeys | Tags: BLM, BLM burro, Canon City, Carson, Colorado, East Canon Correctional Complex, jacks, jennies, Pueblo, Raton Pass |
[23] Comments

We’re on our way today to Canon City, Colorado to adopt a BLM burro. If all goes well, our plan is for Bernard and Ellsworth to have a burro brother tomorrow.

We’ve been planning this adoption for several months and had to be sure that we could safely cross the Raton Pass along the New Mexico-Colorado border before confirming our trip. As recently as a week or two ago, snow made the route impassable.

Canon City is about 40 miles west of Pueblo, Colorado and is the same facility where Carson adopted George and Alan (of 7MSN fame). We’ll spend the night in Pueblo tonight and will be at the East Canon Correctional Complex at 9 a.m. on Friday morning.

The BLM folks there currently have 15 jacks (14 of them gelded) and 15 jennies ranging in age from one to ten. The burros have been there since March 25th… we’ve been counting the days!

BLM holds adoptions at Canon City two Fridays per month and tomorrow is the first time this group is up for adoption. There isn’t much more we know about the burros until we get there to see them. How in the world will we be able to choose just one from thirty?