Ellsworth | Morning Bray Farm

June 14, 2011

Lessons for Big Red – Week Two

Posted by Morning Bray under Donkeys | Tags: Big Red, Ellsworth, riding donkeys, saddle training donkeys, training donkeys |
[17] Comments

Do you know the feeling you get when you realize you’ve made a really good decision?

Hiring Ryan to train Ellsworth this summer was an excellent decision.

On Saturday, during Ellsworth’s sixth lesson, Ryan took Ellsworth on his very first trail ride.

With Ryan’s experience and confidence guiding him, Ellsworth did a phenomenal job.

Ryan has a knack for knowing what Ellsworth needs and what he’s ready for.

Perhaps it was the antics of Ellsworth’s brothers on Saturday that prompted Ryan to take Ellsworth off the property for his maiden ride. Check out the peanut gallery:

Ellsworth clearly responds to Ryan’s consistency, perseverance and patience. For example, getting Ellsworth to cross over these logs has always been a big challenge for us on our walks.

On Saturday, Ryan had Ellsworth walking over them inside of five minutes.

And riding across them inside of seven.

Hey, Ryan? Don’t forget us when you’re famous, okay?

Lessons for Big Red – Week One

June 2, 2011

Lessons for Big Red – Week One

Posted by Morning Bray under Donkeys | Tags: Big Red, Ellsworth, riding donkeys, saddle training donkeys, training donkeys |
[24] Comments

Ellsworth had his first official saddle training lesson on Tuesday afternoon, and let me tell you, he was a star pupil.

We’re very excited that after taking Ellsworth down to their farm, Ryan has agreed to work with and saddle train Ellsworth at Morning Bray Farm this summer.

As was the case the last time Ryan worked with Ellsworth, Ryan was confident, assertive, calm and quiet with him. It was a beautiful thing watching such a talented young man work with Big Red.

Ryan’s methods revolve around building Ellsworth’s confidence rather than instructing by force. I’m seeing Ellsworth react so positively to Ryan’s tact, and I couldn’t be more proud of them both.

Ryan has agreed to let me take notes and pictures so that you can follow along. Both Ryan and Big Red are going to do great things this summer!

Lessons for Big Red – Week Two

May 26, 2011

A new friend visits Morning Bray Farm

Posted by Morning Bray under Donkeys, Friends and Family | Tags: Bernard, Ellsworth, Fergus, Nigel, Patrick |
[17] Comments

We were fortunate to have a new friend, Cat with Cats, visit us over the weekend.

The Boyz could barely contain their excitement when they realized Cat arrived bearing gifts of Paco treats.

As always, it was great fun having a fellow animal lover in our midst.

Cat was great fun and great help.

Thank you, Cat! ♥

May 24, 2011

They never stopped moving

Posted by Morning Bray under Burros, Donkeys, Friends and Family | Tags: Alan, Bernard, burros, donkeys, donkeys playing, Ellsworth, George, The 7MSN Ranch |
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Watching Bernard, Ellsworth and George exhausted Lucy and Alan.

Those crazy boys never stopped moving.

Alan thought George had lost his marbles.

Why was George cavorting with the city boys like that?

Oh, how they played and played and played!

What a posse. Small, medium and large. ♥

May 20, 2011

A long overdue donkey post

Posted by Morning Bray under Donkeys | Tags: Bernard, donkeys, Ellsworth, Fergus, Nigel, Patrick |
[28] Comments

The Boyz reminded me yesterday that they haven’t been featured on the blog in a while.

I’m sorry, Boyz.

You’ve missed the new game that Bernard likes to play. He comes up behind me and gently puts his head between my legs so that I’ll put one of my legs over his back.

I ~~think~~ know he just likes being hugged.

Patrick continues to come out of his shell more and more with each passing day. He’s a remarkable donkey boy.

So does Nigel, by the way. We’re now touching Nigel’s face, so it’s a matter of time before we get a halter on him. He’s a remarkable burro boy. (Many thanks to Mel in NY for your advice with Nigel.)

You’ve also missed how happy everyone is when ~~Don~~ daddy gets home.

Daddy pushes down tree branches so the Boyz can eat leaves. The Boyz love leaves. Good golly… just look at Ellsworth’s face.

I kind of think the Boyz look like giraffes when they’re eating leaves from the trees.

Yes, Patrick… that’s a good thing. ♥

April 14, 2011

More Paco treats please

Posted by Morning Bray under Donkeys | Tags: Bernard, donkey, donkeys, Ellsworth, Fergus, Nigel, Paco treats, Patrick |
[29] Comments

I made Paco treats for the boys the other day.

Judging by the looks on their faces, you can tell who has had Paco treats before.

Bernard has no shame.

Yes, Bernard is actually smiling.

I love that Goober.

Ellsworth loves Paco treats too.

So does Nigel.

What do you know… Fergus too.

Fergus does a great James Cagney impersonation every time.

Can you tell from this picture that Patrick hadn’t yet experienced a Paco treat par-tay in his mouth?

And that in this picture he had?

Patrick decided instantly that he loves Paco treats too.

Life is good. ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

March 31, 2011

A kind heart

Posted by Morning Bray under Donkeys | Tags: donkey, donkey affection, donkeys, Ellsworth, Patrick |
[27] Comments

A kind heart is a fountain of gladness making everything in its vicinity freshen into smiles.

~Washington Irving

Ellsworth has a kind heart.

Just yesterday, he shared a tasty stick with Patrick.

And then gave him a hug. ♥

March 23, 2011

All for one and one for all

Posted by Morning Bray under Donkeys | Tags: donkey illness, donkeys, Ellsworth, veterinarian |
[23] Comments

All for one and one for all
My brother and my friend
What fun we have
The time we share
Brothers ’til the end.
~Author Unknown

Ellsworth was not feeling well on Monday. (Don’t worry, he’s fine now.) When I came home for lunch, he refused his mid-day apple slice and any other feed.

I could see in his eyes that he didn’t feel well. I called the vet right away, then Don, who headed straight home, and then Carson.

While Don and I waited for the vet, the other boys stood just outside the barn stall door to keep Ellsworth company.

Patrick included. See how handsome he is? The wind was blowing the hair out of his face.

Fergus and Nigel too.

Bernard was extremely upset to be separated from Ellsworth.

He even insisted on giving Ellsworth a kiss.

Thankfully, in the end, Ellsworth was feeling better yesterday. Dr. D thinks that Ellsworth most likely picked up a short-lived bug either from Patrick or our adventure on Saturday.

I’m learning as we go along when I should panic and when I shouldn’t, but I learned a big lesson on Monday. The boys will always be there for their brothers when it matters most. All for one and one for all. ♥

March 21, 2011

He’s hangin’ with the big dogs now

Posted by Morning Bray under Donkeys | Tags: donkeys, Ellsworth, Ellsworth riding lesson, riding donkeys |
[27] Comments

Ellsworth had an excellent adventure on Saturday. He provided us with one surprise after another and we’re so incredibly proud of him.

He loaded right up into the trailer… a huge surprise. This was Ellsworth’s first time being trailered since he came to Morning Bray Farm. Carson will remember that it wasn’t so easy getting him into the trailer the last time.

His brothers gave him a big send off.

Bernard actually tried to get into the trailer with Ellsworth. Sorry, Bernard, not this time.

Instead of my usual Saturday morning riding lesson, my riding instructor graciously offered to help us work with Ellsworth.

~~Ellsworth~~ Big Red has done a great job with our riding sessions at home, but we’re ready to take things to the next level.

When we arrived at L’s farm, I think Don and I both expected for Ellsworth to act up. There were all kinds of new things going on for him, not to mention at least a dozen talking horses.

Instead, he was an angel. He was calm, poised and eager.

After Ellsworth checked out his new surroundings, my instructor gave us a ground work lesson. Ellsworth was a star pupil.

R, my instructor’s grandson, happened to be there on Saturday. R has probably been riding horses since before he could walk and was eager to work with Ellsworth. It was a beautiful thing.

Watching R and Ellsworth was amazing. (Carson, now I know exactly what you mean about purpose and intent.) Ellsworth was stunning. R’s confidence shined through Ellsworth.