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By Linda Coffman Well, first off, never wait until the last minute to load a donkey.  Trying to hurry them along often will make a donkey who does not want to load be at its worst.  They're just not into rushing. Most of the things that work for horses haven't worked well for us with the donkeys at all, i.e. whips, butt ropes, etc.  The best method we have found is to use a long lead rope that will reach to a secure ring toward the front of the trailer.    Before we even ask the donkey to get into the trailer, we run the end of the lead rope up through this ring to enable one of us to keep the donkey from backing up when we do ask it to load.

A donkey that has received a gentle uneventful ride is more likely to get back in the trailer again. Photo by J. Rachau

They are so strong that if they decide to back it's just not possible to hold them without taking a wrap, or two, on something secure with the lead rope. This always works for us, as long as the donkey is not allowed to back away at all.  Some take more time than others to figure out they have no other options but we've been able to load many donkeys this way with virtually no fussing. 

Occasionally we'll have one that will get its front in and then stand there as though it's not possible to get their rear in.  It's important to take up the slack in the lead when they get to this point since most will opt to back out again.  Keeping the tension on the lead so they have no easy way to go except in will usually persuade them to haul the rear up.  This is usually the point where they will really test you if they're going to and may fuss and try pretty hard to back out.  Don't be alarmed, stay calm and try to act like nothing has changed, keeping the tension on the rope...not giving an inch.  The worst thing we've ever had happen is that they may get their rear feet under the trailer a few inches trying to dig in to pull back. I've not seen one ever take this to an extreme and injure themselves as a horse might.  As soon as they feel the trailer against their leg they stop.

Whatever the method used, it's so important for the handler to be calm and try to conceal whatever apprehension they may have about the task at hand.....not making a big deal out of it.  Don't look at the trailer like you've never seen it before and try to move around it and the donkey in a very relaxed manner as you would if the two of you were going into the barn to do some grooming or whatever.  Avoid opening dividers or doors like you're afraid they're going to fall off so as not to scare the donkey by making noises, etc.  They will quickly sense your uneasiness and become suspicious of what's in store for them. As with any training we do with the donkeys, I don't like to use food as a bribe for loading but we do give them treats as a reward after they are secured in the trailer.  Occasionally we do use food to coax a new donkey that doesn't know us into the trailer if they're pretty food oriented.  I wouldn't do that with one that we have raised or that has been with us long enough to have learned to trust us though.  There shouldn't be a need to. Patience is a much better tool that is always available no matter where we are.

It also helps to have the trailer be as inviting as possible by putting shavings down, cleaning out manure so there aren't flies buzzing around in it, be sure it's as light as possible by turning on the interior lights, opening
feeder doors or whatever that will increase the light, and open windows and vents well in advance of time to load so the trailer isn't like an oven on warm days.

I hope some of this will be helpful.  Good luck loading your donkeys.