Video Training Tips
In response to letters and emails from people with training and behavior questions about their equines, Meredith has created a series of short, 2-minute training tips to help address some of these common issues.
Make sure to subscribe to our channel on YouTube to get alerted of new training tips.
If you have a training question or an idea for another Training Tip video, check out the Ask Meredith section for commonly asked questions, or click here to submit your question.
The above player will automatically play all current Training Tips in order. If you’re short on time or know exactly what you want, watch individual training tips below!
Hay and Salt Lick
Pasture Grazing
A Proper Feeding Regimen: Oats Mixture
Feeding Time
Communication and Equines
Work Stations
Danger of Halters
Donkeys Require a Creative Approach
If you have a training question or an idea for another Training Tip video, check out the Ask Meredith section for commonly asked questions, or click here to submit your question.
I really enjoyed these videos. Thanks!
I have a two year old mare that has began to try to bite and rare up at me, my daughter and my wife. I cannot figure out what she wants or why she does it. Can you tell me anything about this behavior and what I can do. When we first got her (she was eight months old)we had another mare. The other mare was elderly and due to cushings disease she had to be put down. So now this young mare has been alone for about seven months. My thought is that maybe it has something to do with her being alone. I would appreciate any advice you can give me Thank you.
Hi Thomas, I’m passing along this question to Meredith, who can answer via email. Thanks!
Just took in a mini mule from rescue and now that he is settled and trusts me and my mares, I feel he really wants to Jump up to them to play and they have no interest so next he comes towards me and tries to bite me aiming down by my feet. Is this frustration and how do o handle it? He didn’t do this upon arrival. He also tries to lift his front legs to rear up to me. Help me inderstand what’s going on and way to correct. Thanks.
I am considering getting a rescue mule 8 years old, 14 hands, doesn’t bite or kick but has “trust issues”. I’ve been reading your site and watching the videos and am wondering if this is a good thing to do. Can I be trained along with training my mule? I love horses but they’re too delicate, etc. and a mule (or donkey) seems the better choice. I’m a great animal lover, have great patience with animals, and have trust issues myself with people, so can relate to this particular mule’s “trust issues”. Can you give me any advice as to whether to take on this rescue (she’s already rescued but the rescue place is running out of room, has to cut back to rescue more), whether I can train myself as well as her, and anything else I need to know to make a decision. I’m on 5 acres in northern Arizona (I call it tumbleweed acres, if I never see another tumbleweed it will be too soon, but I’m not even half done clearing them from the property). There isn’t true pasturage like I would consider necessary for a horse but wonder if the thin grassland that is here plus hay supplement would be sufficient. I do have an A frame shed for her shelter, just have to clear out the garden junk left by the previous owner, put in a feeding and watering station for her. There is a window in the door, just have to replace the top glass. Or does she even need a completely enclosed shelter (meaning putting glass back in the door). I’ve been told it gets down to about zero here in the winter, some but not deep snow, hot but not unbearably so in the summer. The neighbors all around me have donkeys with a horse thrown in here and there, although I’ve never seen any of any of these animals being used or even paid attention to other than putting out feed (I think the lack of attention is a crime, but that’s just me, they’re not gophers, they’re very social animals and if no other animal interaction at least interaction with their humans, in my opinion, is essential to their well being). Please advise me and let me know if this would be a good decision, to take on this rescued mule for eventual use (we and all animals all need a “job” of some kind). Thank you kindly for your help and consideration.
Hi Mary–
I’ve passed your comment along to Meredith, and you should get a reply soon.
Thanks for reading!
God bless you for the work you are inspired to do. We have rescued our first donkey. I am so in love and desire to help more. Keep up the great work.
I obtained a 6 yr old standard donkey who at the minimum has been caught and haltered a few times. I ave been trying to et her used to the halter and lead, but she refuses at this point to walk with the lead at all. She needs her feet trimmed, and I am wondering if that could be art of the reason she is so uncooperative.
Also She tends to try to turn like she wants to kick me… Any advice that could help me train her to respect me?
Thank you!
Cynthia
Hi Cynthia–
I’ve passed this message along to Meredith. You should be receiving a reply shortly.
Thank you!
Meredith, I am a new mule owner…I have a mule who is wonderful, and another young two year old mule (I have had for three weeks) that I cannot catch. She acts like I am a predatory tiger. Does one of your videos address this problem?
Hi Corita–I’ve passed along your question to Meredith and she will contact you directly. Thanks for reading!