Such a brave horse!! Silly boy.
1 Like
My own experience with a TB and donkeys.
When we were stationed in AZ, I was out riding down one of the little dirt roads that surrounded our barn. We had taken this route many times before, nothing but fields/mesquite trees bordering the road. As we were passing a field, suddenly there were two donkeys there who hadn’t been there before.
My horse spotted them before I did. Stopped with head in air about 50 yards from them, snorting. I petted him to calm him. No go. He whirled 180 degrees and attempted to bolt. I turned him back. Five minutes of backing, half rearing, spinning ensued. He was in a total panic.
Luckily, a friend appeared, driving towards the barn. I asked if she would try leading him towards the donkeys. Five more minutes of panic, we finally got him about 20 yards from the donkeys, and I told her I would take it from there.
I spent the next 2 weeks going past that field every day, telling him we would continue doing it until he could be a sensible boy. It worked, but I had some…interesting rides those 2 weeks. 
5 Likes
Finally caught the donkey owner at a good time and she was happy to let my horse get up close to them.
IMG_5882
IMG_5883
IMG_5885
16 Likes
That’s great!!
2 Likes
Excellent update!! Also, his tail is fabulous!!
Also also… is that a traffic bridge above the arena??? Is there a highway beside it? I feel like those aspects must add another layer of unpredictability to the daily mix!
4 Likes
Yes and yes! Along the trail, you’ll pass by a dog park, a skateboard park, little league/soccer fields, and a lunatic or two.
7 Likes
Love the videos!
Horse: What the heck are you guys?
Donkey: Quit sniffing my butt! We’re not dogs, you know!
Rebecca
5 Likes
Hahahaaa!
Late to this thread but my riding horse also has a fear of donkeys, mules and minis. He does so much better if he can sniff them and most owners say “yea, this happens with lots of horses. Sure your horse can sniff my Fill_in_the_blank”. That has really helped. He’s so much better if he can put his nose on something and is crazy fearful if he can’t or won’t. They’re weird.
1 Like
