Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I purchased this book after reading the description which said it contained "all" of the information in the video set (available at the author's website). Although I have prior horse care and riding (English and western) experience, I now own two miniature donkeys whom I wish to train to drive.
After reading the first two chapters of the book, I am impressed with the author's emphasis on positive reinforcement, and understanding of donkey/mule psychology. Yet I am clueless about how to perform many of the training assignments outlined. The photos in the book do not adequately illustrate the methods being used, and the text is only a general outline (albeit a well-written one).
I believe that the text may be taken directly from the videos, after seeing some short clips on the author's website... but it doesn't stand alone without the moving video (or additional photos or drawings) to illustrate what is being done. It is also slightly repetitive, as if portions hadn't been edited properly.
This would be a good book to have AFTER seeing the videos, so you could remind yourself of the assignments while you were out working with your animal... but I wish I had purchased the videos instead.
Those of us wanting donkey-specific training books are really limited to this and one other on the market, which is a shame, as these animals are becoming so popular. This book is really geared more towards mules, and covers donkeys only in passing.
Finally, it is recommended that the trainer spend six months to a year on each chapter before progressing; I understand the need to take things very slowly, but it seems there could be some additional suggestions for activities on the same level during those time periods - it's kind of sparse in that respect.
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Training Without Resistance From Foal to Advanced Levels (Training mules and donkeys)This book is a collection of all information covered in Video Tapes #1 through #7 as well as the hardbound book "Training Mules and Donkeys: A Logical Approach to Longears".Designed to be an assistant to your learning.
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