Got a group portrait photo today as the gang waited for their daily brushing and carrots. Simon is halter-walking very well and I hope to walk him out of the pasture tomorrow. I think he clearly has not been bridle-trained before, as he is very uneasy about the rope. He’s strong and donkeys are willful, so I’m a bit cautious about the walking around, but we have a strong connection and I think he will follow me. If not, there is always a cup of grain nearby and that will get him moving.

Donkeys are perpetually fascinating creatures. They are alternately affectionate, intelligent, willful, broody, stubborn, agreeable. Never the same thing twice. What usually does them in is their curiousity. They have to know what’s going on, and that can usually be worked to advantage. I’ll post a video of the first halter walk if I can.