Help Stop Donkey Basketball Event
I was recommended to reach out to you. I have been frantically trying to stop a donkey basketball fundraiser coming up on March 16th. I had a news interview yesterday, but many of the locals just don’t understand donkeys and do not see the abuse behind this disgusting sport. I need your help. I am doing everything in my power to stop this fundraiser that is coming up on Monday. Can you help educate these people? I did this interview and they are just blasting with uneducated comments…
https://www.facebook.com/Newsline9/posts/888382681222999
Can you please help me educate people? I believe I am close to putting an end to this event, but really need extra support. Please help…
– Jessica
I agree that donkey basketball, baseball and celebrity races are probably not the most humane activities to be doing with donkeys. These activities are usually monitored by people who have no experience or knowledge of equines and do put them and the people at risk. “In general, any athlete that is not properly prepared for a sport is at risk of being injured or worse in the course of a game!” This includes the donkeys that the people in sport are riding as well as the people themselves. There are also inherent dangers when unskilled people are dealing with longears (mules and donkeys). They are much stronger, intelligent and wily than horses and a well-placed kick can ruin a person’s life who may, or may not even being playing the game (i.e. spectators, coaches, etc.).
Mules and donkeys can carry proportionately more weight than a horse of the same size. However, you do need to be careful about making broad generalizations. Obviously, a horse, or mule, who is out of condition is not going to be able to carry as much weight as one who is conditioned properly, so it is all relative to the situation. The maximum weight a horse or mule can carry will depend on a lot of variables. Generally speaking, a mule, or donkey, can carry more weight than a horse because of the unique muscle structure of the animal. However, an equine that is not conditioned properly will not be able to efficiently carry as much weight as one who is. Also, the rider with better balance and riding ability is going to be easier for the equine to carry than one who is not balanced regardless of the difference in actual weight. The size of the equine and the proportion of the equine to the rider will also affect balance and carrying ability.
The amount of weight an equine can comfortably carry or pull depends on many things beginning with the animal’s overall fitness. If he is fit, he will be able to carry more than those who are not, but conformational abnormalities will also have an effect. If he has any deviations in his bone structure (i.e. crooked legs), it can compromise how he moves and put undue stress on certain areas depending on the defect. The easiest way to test for weight tolerance is to watch the way the animal moves. If he is halted and seems to be have difficulty moving, the weight is obviously too heavy. If he is unable to trot, or is resistant to trotting, the weight is too heavy. This would be the same in harness. If he cannot move freely, the load is too heavy. So, it’s not just a matter of how old he is, but rather how he is conformed and how fit he is at any given stage of training and the weight and ability of the rider that will dictate how much he can carry, or pull. There have never been any real in depth studies on this issue, so the statistics you hear about are not exact, only speculation. Be careful about generalizations because there are always hidden variables to be considered. In addition, fitting saddles can become an issue as your equine changes shape with conditioning, so it is best to fit the saddle when you equine is in good condition.
For instance, it is commonly believed that an equine should be able to carry 10% of his weight, but if a 2000 lb. animal is carrying the 200 lb. over a back that has not been physically developed correctly, it could be very difficult for him. If he possesses more strength over his topline and through the croup, then he may actually be able to carry more than 10% of his body weight. Any additional weight as with saddle bags also needs to be considered. If he is weak over the topline and in his back, then he shouldn’t be carrying even a 150 lb. person, much less anything behind the saddle. The weight does need to be placed and balanced over the bearing areas and the shoulder and hips do need to be kept clear for optimum movement. Anchoring the saddle with a crupper is always a good idea to keep loads from shifting and placement and security of the foundation tack to which you secure all these things needs to be assessed as well. When you add weight to the saddle, check to see if the girth you are using is adequate to keep the saddle in place without rubbing sores on your animal’s body.
No matter how old or how well trained the equine, they still need time doing the simplest of things to get to know you before they will learn to trust and have confidence in you. The exercises that you do should build the body slowly, sequentially and in good equine posture. Just as our children need routine, ongoing learning and the right kind of exercise while they are growing up, so do equines. They need boundaries for their behavior clearly outlined to minimize anxious behaviors and inappropriate behavior, and the exercises that you do together need to build their strength and coordination in good equine posture. The time spent together during leading training and going forward builds a good solid relationship with your equine and fosters his confidence and trust in you because you actually help him to feel physically better. A carefully planned routine and an appropriate feeding program is critical to healthy development.
Most horse training techniques used today speed up the training process so people can ride or drive sooner and it makes the trainers’ techniques more attractive, but most of these techniques do not adequately prepare the equine physically in good posture for the added stress of a rider on his back. Mules and donkeys have a very strong sense of self preservation and need work that builds their bodies properly so they will feel good in their new and correct posture, or you won’t get the kind of results you might expect. Forming a good relationship with your equine begins with a consistent maintenance routine and appropriate groundwork. Most equines don’t usually get the well-structured and extended groundwork training on the lead rope that paves the way to good balance, core muscle conditioning and a willing attitude. This is essential if he is truly expected to be physically and mentally prepared for future equine activities. With donkeys and mules, this is critically important.
The “funny” things that the donkeys do to rid themselves of their riders during these types of donkey events and that is so enjoyed by the spectators is an instinctual reaction to pain and/or discomfort. Because this is a concern for the health and welfare of the donkeys, I will post this in the Equine Welfare section on my website with any information you choose to disclose.
– Meredith