May 2, 2010
Don and I were talking yesterday about how we’d know Bernard’s or Ellsworth’s bray anywhere, and how the donkey boys have been braying much less since Fergus and Nigel arrived two weeks ago.
So, for posterity, we present Bernard and Ellsworth braying. It was at about the time these videos were taken we decided Morning Bray would be the name of our little farm.
In case you’re wondering, not a peep from Fergus or Nigel yet.
April 30, 2010
Oh, the wind. I never knew it could be the way it is here. Some days it’s relentless.
Like yesterday. Oy. According to the National Weather Service, gusts in the valley where we live reached as high as 74 mph.
Fergus and Nigel don’t seem too affected by it.
Neither do Bernard or Ellsworth. As is always the case, wind or no wind, they’re in line ready for dinner before it’s served.
Don’t worry Mom. There’s no place like home.
April 28, 2010
Ellsworth, a.k.a. our sentinel, evaluated a potential security breach at Morning Bray Farm yesterday afternoon.
What is that thing, Mom?
Ms. Turkey must feel safe around the boys. She fixed herself up with a nest just on the other side of the corral fence. She’s sitting on a dozen or so eggs.
April 24, 2010
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 21, 2010
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
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 17, 2010
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 14, 2010
According to the boys, pampas grass is delish. With the new fence giving them access, the boys were able to chew our once beautiful plants down to a nub.
Yesterday, I asked Don if he would put up some wire to give the grass a chance to recover. In the interest of helping Don turn a mundane task into something challenging and fun, the boys decided to help.
Here’s Ellsworth providing suggestions for how to begin the job.
And checking in on Don’s progress a few minutes later.
Bernard really wasn’t into how Don got the job done. He was more interested in tools and materials, and most specifically, what each tasted like.
April 13, 2010
After talking about this for several weeks, Ellsworth and I have reached an agreement. Our goal is for Ellsworth to be my trusty steed before summer’s end. I’ve been doing my research and I think we can do it.
A lot of my reading has been with The Donkey Companion, written by Sue Weaver. Sue says that, “Because they’re intelligent and affectionate, and they aim to please, everyday pleasure-riding donkeys are incredibly easy to train. They need not be sent to a trainer; owners can do the work themselves.”
Furthermore, (I find this fascinating) “They’re reliable; donkeys don’t put themselves or their riders in harm’s way. They rarely spook, they don’t bolt, they’re surefooted, and they won’t venture into danger of any kind. These traits make them superlative mounts for children, the physically challenged, and nervous adult riders of all kinds.”
One of my most daunting tasks will be navigating the world of tack and figuring out what types of riding gear fit donkeys. The first thing on our list is a training surcingle.
For the next couple of weeks, we’ll be working on having Ellsworth lead at my side, back up when I ask him to, and stand patiently when he’s tied. I just know he’s going to do great.
Morning Bray Farm 