EVERYONE without exception, should hug a Donkey at least once a day!!!

Luckily, being a foster family, acheiving that goal is usually, not that tricky. 

As George and Little Lad have settled into their new home over the last few months, they have slowly but surely, become more and more confident around us and their surroundings. 

Over the last couple of weeks, George especially has come on so well. He is very inquisitive. Always wanting to be first in the que and involved with pretty much everything thats going on and Little Lad is never far behind him. 

So as the days are getting wetter, today started off by moving the boys onto some new un-trodden ground. 

What joy!!!
As soon as the boys stepped into the new area, they started sprinting, bucking, hoofing and generally fooling around for a good 10 minutes. It was so funny and I really don’t remember seeing them so excited before. 
Seeing Happy Donkeys is extremely satisfying. 

Throughout the day, they spent most of the time munching on the new grass and watching the passers by!

This evening we walked down to give the boys their evening meal and once finished, Little Lad enjoyed a calming 15 minute massage. 

He just stood there enjoying all the attention. So chilled, beathing deeply, interacting and loving the cuddles and attention. Its the closest moment we have shared together – quite overwhelming really. 

What wonderful animals. 

So whenever you do anything new with donkeys they take time to get used to it. So armed with that information and expert advice from the fabulous Sophie at The Donkey Sanctuary we thought we would give rugs a try. 
They have been outside ( the rugs that is !) on the bench for the last couple of days just so the donkeys can an investigate and give them a good going over. This afternoon we put a headcollar on George and gently placed the rug on the ground in front of him. He wasn’t that bothered by it, but gave a little nuzzle through. So  with lots of reassurance and soft words I picked it and gently and calming put it on him. We think he thought he looked quite handsome in it. Little Lad was eagerly looking on !! He even winked at George ! ( or maybe it was just an eye twitch!) 

So tomorrow we will do the same and if Little Lad is up to it then maybe show him his ! He is usually quite happy for George to be the Guinea pig just incase it’s something he won’t like, but I think he realised today that George looked cute, happy and smart in his rug so why wouldn’t he want to try !

Today these two spent 20mins tussling over an old welly. Even though Little Lad is bigger and stronger than George he didn’t get it all his own way. George fought for that welly and was pushing and pulling Little  Lad all over the field. 

I can’t remember who let go first but that was like red rag to a bull and the chase began. Up and down the field, wrestling each other to the ground, nipping at ankles, tails and manes anything either of them could grab hold of. 

The builders next door just stood in amazement for a while. I on the other hand was frozen to the spot. If you have ever witnessed these two boys running around before like Sophie has from #donkeysanctuary you will know how fast they go and how tight their turns are. There was literally a hairs breadth between me and them. 

15 minutes later they are stood there puffing away and all sweaty but great to see them enjoying life. 

We moved them on to a new bit of paddock yesterday to give the ground that was being churned up a rest – now after all that speed and pounding it looks the same as the other side. You just got to love ’em !  

Little Lad was not best pleased with the wind and the building work going on next door today. He was agitated and a bit nervous so I thought it best to try and distract him, but as he didn’t want me anywhere near him I had to innovate. 

So I gave him my old wellies and this was the result ….. I think it had the desired effect !  

    I think poor George got a boot up the bum ! 
 

So after appalling weather yesterday and realising that the opening to our stable faced the wrong way, we set out to change that today. Yesterday morning even though George hadn’t set foot outside he was wet as was the bedding about a 1/3 into the stable. 

We had in the summer put some hardcore and bark down in the area directly outside their door. Today we increased that area by 400%. Our field is very wet and cloggy underfoot. We dug out the very boggy earth and shovelled 2 tonnes of aggregate into it by hand !!! And then covered it in bark. The whole time we were doing this the donkeys were oblivious to what was going on and enjoying their freedom in their paradise pasture. 

With the outside done we started on the inside. At the moment the entrance faces due south and the prevailing wind and rain is coming from the same direction. Now our boys have to walk through the open side ( to the right of the picture ) to get to the entrance to their stable at the back. The old entrance has been closed up. Same building, same straw, same smell but to them it was something completely new. After lots of coaxing and patience they eventually decided to give it try and walked in and around their new abode. Hopefully they will like it and think the changes are a great improvement. Now we can face any weather,  a bit better prepared – our boys will be more sheltered , warmer, drier and hopefully happier.