How to Ride a Donkey: 11 Steps
Donkeys are gentle, hardworking creatures with a rich history as loyal and invaluable companions to humans. Riding a donkey can be an enjoyable experience for both the rider and the animal when done correctly. To ensure a safe and fun ride, follow these 11 essential steps.
1. Choose the right donkey: When selecting a donkey to ride, make sure it’s adequately trained, well-mannered, and suitable for carrying your weight. An ideal donkey should be at least four years old and accustomed to being handled by humans.
2. Get the appropriate gear: Use a saddle specifically designed for donkeys, as they have different spinal structures than horses. A properly fitted bridle will enable better communication between you and the donkey.
3. Approach with caution: Approach the donkey slowly from its side while talking calmly to avoid startling it.
4. Grooming and saddling: Gently brush the donkey’s coat to remove any dust or dirt that might cause discomfort when riding. Place a saddle pad on the animal’s back before placing the saddle on top of it, ensuring it is correctly aligned.
5. Check equipment: Adjust stirrup lengths to suit your height and tighten the girth strap securely yet comfortably around the donkey’s belly.
6. Mounting: Position yourself on the left side of the donkey (its near side) with your left hand holding onto the reins and pommel of the saddle. Stand with your left foot in the stirrup while gently swinging your right leg over the animal’s back and settling into the saddle.
7. Establish balance: Keep your heels down, sit up straight, and maintain a slight bend in your knees so that you can easily adjust your balance as needed while riding.
8. Holding reins: Hold the reins with both hands slightly apart, keeping them just tight enough for effective communication without causing discomfort to the donkey.
9. Start walking: Gently squeeze the donkey’s sides with your calves and use verbal cues like “walk” or “go,” to encourage it to start moving.
10. Steering and stopping: To steer the donkey, apply gentle pressure on the reins and turn your body in the direction you want to move. To stop, apply a soft pressure on the reins, sit back in the saddle, and use a verbal cue like “whoa” or “stop.”
11. Dismounting: To dismount, gently lean forward while swinging your right leg over the animal’s back, keeping hold of the reins and pommel for stability. Slowly lower yourself into a standing position next to the donkey.
Practice makes perfect, so spend time getting acquainted with your donkey, building trust as you learn its quirks and personality traits. With patience, care, and a strong bond between rider and animal, riding a donkey can be an enjoyable experience for both parties.