breaking donkey?

neocattleman · Sep 8, 2016

thinking about getting a breaking donkey, what can everyone tell me about them. does it actually work or does it teach them to lead for the donkey and they still wont lead for a person? how do you attach the calf to the donkey? how much do they normally cost? where around ohio PA WV can i find one? is there a difference between a breaking donkey and a regular donkey? any other words of wisdom or advice about them would be appreciated.

GoWyo · Sep 8, 2016

From my limited knowledge and experience they are a harsh way to break calves. Basically the donkey drags them around until they submit.

There are a number of threads on here about how to halter break calves. Get your calf gentle first before ever haltering them and they will generally break to lead in a few of short sessions of pressure and release without having to tie them to a donkey.

The best use for a donkey is for practicing the heeling end of team roping and keeping coyotes out of the pasture.

Doc · Sep 8, 2016

I've used a breaking donkey for years. I don't use him on every calf, just ones that are extra stubborn or a runoff. I don't think they are a harsh way of breaking a calf at all.
Some people use a collar. I use a heavy duty horse halter on both with about 18" of rope in between.
I saw some on an online sale yesterday that brought about $2,500. I gave $200.00 for mine about 15 years ago. The one before that I gave $50.00 for.

SimFarmer · Sep 8, 2016

In my opinion, they are a great asset when you have a group of calves to break. A donkey won't drag the calves around, but simply pull against the calf until it learns to follow. The same technique of pull and release but a lifesaver for shoulders. The calf is tied to a collar that goes around the donkey's neck. We usually only to a short 2 to 3 hour session with each calf and by the 3rd session they are leading good. You still have to build up a trust with the calves to lead like they are in the show ring but they will still respond to pulling. The owners of the donkey we borrow swear that calves broke by a donkey will lead better in situations like walking through crowds, and I have to agree! A little warning though, don't buy a donkey that has never broke calves before, some can be too aggressive and kick the calf (which can kill them) if they don't lead. Buying an older or experienced donkey is the best. I was always told that they were worth around $500 but some of the ones in online sales have been around $2500.

iowabeef · Sep 9, 2016

We bought an experienced donkey from our cousin and it was the best purchase we have ever made. He is super gentle but firm. We usually hook a calf to them for about 3 hours and the calf is then halter broke for us. There will be times when the calf needs a swat from behind but generally they are able to lead after 3 hours. If you have a really stubborn calf, repeat the process once after a couple days and you are golden. Yes, I have heard of "breaking" donkeys dragging calves around and it being not a good process. That has never been the case with ours. Before you buy, view the donkey in action and see if it is a trained, older donkey before you jump at it. We paid $500 and that is what I have always heard they are worth. Now seeing donkeys go for over $2000 on line is crazy and I would be leary of that. You should be able to find one that is trained for MUCH less.

LLBUX · Sep 9, 2016

Used one 45 years ago as a kid. It got pretty brutal at times.
Usually the donkey would stick its butt in the calf's ear and just turn when the calf acted up.
Our donkey had to be muzzled after biting off an ear and an eye on a couple of calves.
He learned to bite despite a chicken wire muzzle.
Ropes would cut and burn on face and body of both donkey and calf.
Was glad to see the practice end when we let her go.

Because of my handicaps, I now break them with kindness and gentleness.

FYI-Jack donkeys will sometimes try to breed your cattle too.

Freddy · Sep 9, 2016

WE HAVE HAD a donkey 45 years, the first one was a wedding present and has been a good experience all those year's...Some of these report's must have been bad donkey's ,we try to not give them any more rope than 2 ft. from donkey.. I have sold numerous donkey's to customer's and as far as I know no problem's ...MANY PEOPLE USE THEM TO BREAK COLTS ..!! YOUR chiropractor probably is not
very FOND OF THEM... As far as hurting calves think they do a very humane job , some of these club calves could have sure used one ..!!

neocattleman · Sep 12, 2016

thank you all for the replies. does anyone have any suggestions on people that sell them or where i could find one?

CT101 · Sep 12, 2016

What a great topic for me to join in and post for the first time on SP forum. I am the creator of Calf Training 101. Please save your money and get a copy of my video. A typical calf can be trained in about one hour! Close to 90% of the calves I have halter trained over the years have only taken 45-50 minutes. This technique only requires a small pen or enclosed structure, a halter, and patience. You referenced looking for a donkey in the WV area. Several years ago I did a clinic for Dr. Keith Berkeley, DMV, in Ranson, West Virginia on longhorns. It is really so simple...gain their trust, teach them to give into pressure, and they will lead.

CAB · Sep 13, 2016

Breaking Burrows selling on SCONLINESALES.COM tomorrow.

neocattleman · Sep 14, 2016

CAB said:
Breaking Burrows selling on SCONLINESALES.COM tomorrow.

thanks im watching it today

Steve123 · Nov 6, 2018

How do you train a donkey to be a Breaking Donkey?

I see lots of threads on breaking donkeys and saying "be sure that they are experienced". We have a local auction that hobby farmers sell donkeys at all the time but they have never been hooked to cattle.

yuppiecowboy · Nov 6, 2018

All donkeys are capable of breaking calves to lead. The problem is figuring out which ones are mean to the calves. IE bite, kick, etc. Ever heard the term stubborn Azz? The inherent trait of being stubborn makes dunkers calf breakers. Call Joe Burns in Iowa if you want a breaker dunk. I think he adopbts em off the BLM and trys em out and sells em.

yuppiecowboy · Nov 6, 2018

lol i now see joe burns has a breaking dunk sale going on right now on show circuit.... Guess i put out the right name a t least...

breaking donkey?

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