Overcoming Bridge Phobia

It’s working. Liberty, who has a problem with bridges, went into self training mode this fall. The initial training started with three heavy bridge planks located in our driveway trail course. Nightly training sessions started off by using one single plank at a time. After Liberty could easily step over one plank a second was added, then a third. Going across soon became an easy nightly task. Going length wise was a much more of a problem. First the three were not wide enough, or so Liberty thought. They were not stable enough for his weight so a fourth plank was added. It was then decided to nail them together using 4 x 4 posts on the ends and two by fours in the center areas to get them off the ground and stabilize them.

Placing this bridge in front of the pasture shelter had two purposes. First this project was put into place to promote self bridge training going in and out of their favorite year around spot, the shelter. Secondly this is a high traffic area and when the conditions are right it can get fairly muddy. This will give the donkeys a place to stand out of the mud and still be outside the shelter, which is what Luc likes.

We hope to enjoy the fruits of Liberty labors next summer as we happily ride him over bridges in trail classes and those across mountain streams. This photo was taken within 24 hours of the placement of the pasture shelter bridge as Liberty practices Bridges 101.

Liberty is now comfortable with all four’s on deck and he’s learned to duck to get into the shelter. At 64 inches learning to duck is important.

This certainly has worked for us and the TeamDonk boys, Liberty’s bridge phobia is now a thing of the past.

The final photo this month is captioned;
“Who in the heck had the big idea of putting a training bridge here?” Or, “Just look at my manicure, could it be any more perfect?”

Join us next month as I will give you a formal introduction to the newest member of the TeamDonk boys. Who is still trying to figure out why there is a deck on his pasture shelter. Are we going to have pasture deck parties with food and dancing and invite all our friends? If so can someone please make it large enough for the three of us?
Kristi