Musings of a happy mucker!

[lindad]

When I am mucking, my 2 young Kigers, Chica and Bolero, often present me with a fresh pile right where I am working. I have never been sure if it meant, "ha-ha, I can make you work some more", or if it meant "oh, she is almost out of poo, I'll give you some more fun as you seems to enjoy this so much".
Recently, Chica gave me a fresh pile in the stall I had just stripped and put new bedding in, so I let her know I wasn't pleased and shooed her out. The other day I praised her for presenting the fresh pile outside where I want them to go. Well Cola, my miniature donkey, not to be outdone, backed up to my wheel barrow/cart and deposited his contribution directly into the cart! Needless to say, I lavished him with praise! The next day while Cola accompanied me on my mucking rounds, as he usually does, he did it again! He baked up to the cart and dropped it right where I want it! Ya gotta love help like that!
Cola has tried for a year to figure out how to push that cart for me. He has pushed with his chest, he has back his butt under the handle (that is like a lawn mower handle) and tried to push, he has tried to push it by holding the handle in his mouth. He just can't understand to push the handle down to lift the front end up to let it go forward. I think some clicker training would help him to figure out that extra step. I think he has gone one step better... to load the poo directly! Anyhow, he made me a happy mucker! ( It doesn't take much to please some people)! That little donkey sure wants to please! I'll let you know how it goes, er ah, how he "goes".
Linda D

[fantasykiger]

Who would of thought mucking would be such fun ;D non-horse people give me the strangest looks when I explain that I enjoy everything about my horses even cleanign up the poo' ...they just roll their eyes. I love my dogs dearly they even sleep with me, but I don't enjoy cleaning up their poo', as I do my horses. Just like your horses they seem to want to help or at least drop off more for me to do. They are fasinated by the wheel barrel that delivers hay can double as a poo' loader as well.

I think I need a donkey because I hear so many wonderful stories, I envy all you donkey owners and your characters. Maybe my new mule will suffice.

[nrly]

I agree tiffany, when we finish with our horses stalles it is a race for them to see who can poo first, I love it, and we clean it up... I really love the fact that Cola poos in the cart, and wants to help move it to me that part it the worst moving that wheelbarrel full to the max... Arent these animals wonderful
nola

[DianneC]

My horses have to investigate all the poop, there must be a story in it. Chinny even has to smell his own to make sure it smells just right. I have the feeling that he gets a tiny bit annoyed that we pick up his "calling cards". So he always puts down some more for good measure. Linda, I think your donkey was just trying to make his poop the top of the stud pile, but it worked out great for you.

[lindad]

Ta-da! Cola continues to make a direct deposit into the cart! Ya gotta love it!
Linda D

[nrly]

I wish they all could poo in the poo pile and not in their stalls like the poo pile is their own bathroom, it sure would leave me with more time to do other things... like ride when doc gives the ok... just spend more time with them one on one...