This is the most delightful part of raising miniature donkeys! Imprinting at birth and during the first weeks of life is critical to the foal's ability to bond to humans, so we make lots of excuses for "baby breaks" during the day. We don't get many chores done, but, oh, what fun watching these little ones scamper around the pasture, kick up their heels, play hide 'n seek or snuggle in our arms for a quick snooze.

How rewarding to see them so glad to greet us with ears erect, eyes bright, tails flicking, and soft little heads nudging us for attention.

After the first week, we:

Take them on regular walks with Mom off-halter to get them used to exploring and to build their confidence.

When they are ready to take the next training step, we gently introduce them to the halter and begin teaching verbal cues.

Next, we encourage them to investigate the obstacle course.

We take them on excursions around the farm to build trust in their handlers.

From an early age, we consistently familiarize them with the routines of clipping, trimming hooves, trailering, bathing, etc. so that these experiences will be just a natural part of their lives-always praising and encouraging each accomplishment.

When they are ready to take the next training step, we gently introduce them to the halter and begin teaching verbal cues.

Many training problems, we believe, are often just bad habits cultivated in the developmental stages of a foal's first months.

It is our goal to avoid these difficulties by socializing the youngster to all kinds of common experiences so that bad manners and fearful responses can be minimized.

We intentionally limit the number of annual breedings so that we can maintain this kind of individual attention to every foal whether sold or retained as part of our ranch.