Training Mules and Donkeys : A Logical Approach to Longears

Rating:
Summary: Boy was I mistaken
Review: I ordered the book....then read the reviews and wanted to cancel....I received it and am I glad....it is the greatest thing going for training donkeys! I own 2...I know.....those who did not like the book simply don't understand longears. And an added bonus was I got a signed by the author copy....thanks Meredith...Judy George......ADAMS member since 1990

Rating:
Summary: Disappointed
Review: I ordered this book the day after I bought my first donkey. I was really looking forward to learning about donkeys, since I had only had horses in the past.

I was very disappointed in the book when it arrived. I read it cover-to-cover and felt that I had just read another "horse training" book like any other. I thought to myself, "but wait, aren't donkeys different?"

I have now had my donkey for a year and a half, and the more I am with her the less I like this book. I find nothing in the book that celebrates donkeys for being donkeys, for their unique attributes that make them so different from horses (and often make them such a challenge!). To me, it appears Ms. Hodges spent all her time turning her donkey into a horse - would have been easier for her to just buy a horse.

This book was written by a very wealthy woman who found exactly the right donkey and taught it exactly the right things to be able to win a lot of show prizes and become very famous, and thus sell books and videos to the donkey crowd. In most of the pictures, Ms. Hodges does not seem to be even enjoying herself at all.

Basically, I find it a lot of hype with little substance, and of little use for the average back-yard donkey owner who wants to have fun with his/her longeared friend. ...

Rating:
Summary: Disappointed
Review: I ordered this book the day after I bought my first donkey. I was really looking forward to learning about donkeys, since I had only had horses in the past.

I was very disappointed in the book when it arrived. I read it cover-to-cover and felt that I had just read another "horse training" book like any other. I thought to myself, "but wait, aren't donkeys different?"

I have now had my donkey for a year and a half, and the more I am with her the less I like this book. I find nothing in the book that celebrates donkeys for being donkeys, for their unique attributes that make them so different from horses (and often make them such a challenge!). To me, it appears Ms. Hodges spent all her time turning her donkey into a horse - would have been easier for her to just buy a horse.

This book was written by a very wealthy woman who found exactly the right donkey and taught it exactly the right things to be able to win a lot of show prizes and become very famous, and thus sell books and videos to the donkey crowd. In most of the pictures, Ms. Hodges does not seem to be even enjoying herself at all.

Basically, I find it a lot of hype with little substance, and of little use for the average back-yard donkey owner who wants to have fun with his/her longeared friend. ...

Rating:
Summary: Learn to communicate more effectively with your mule.
Review: Mules are not horses, in spite of their similar appearance. Training methods used on horses are often not effective on mules. For those equestrians who prefer mules or donkeys as their mounts, this is a teriffic book to help them improve their communication with their animals. Meredith Hodges' credibility comes from her success in training and breeding performance mules and donkeys. She is also a regular contributor of training articles to various mule and donkey publications. Interested equestrians can find an almost unlimited supply of books on riding and training horses, but there is a real shortage of books on the riding and training of mules. Prior to the publication of this book, Paul and Betsy Hutchins books on mules and donkeys were probably the best books available to readers looking for expert advice on working with their long-eared equines. Although the Hutchins' books are still superb, it is great to have another viewpoint to read on the subject of mules and donkeys. Videos and training cards have recently been published to accompany the book. I have not seen these personally, but have heard that they are excellent. Mule and donkey lovers definitely need to own this one!

Rating:
Summary: Learn to communicate more effectively with your mule.
Review: Mules are not horses, in spite of their similar appearance. Training methods used on horses are often not effective on mules. For those equestrians who prefer mules or donkeys as their mounts, this is a teriffic book to help them improve their communication with their animals. Meredith Hodges' credibility comes from her success in training and breeding performance mules and donkeys. She is also a regular contributor of training articles to various mule and donkey publications. Interested equestrians can find an almost unlimited supply of books on riding and training horses, but there is a real shortage of books on the riding and training of mules. Prior to the publication of this book, Paul and Betsy Hutchins books on mules and donkeys were probably the best books available to readers looking for expert advice on working with their long-eared equines. Although the Hutchins' books are still superb, it is great to have another viewpoint to read on the subject of mules and donkeys. Videos and training cards have recently been published to accompany the book. I have not seen these personally, but have heard that they are excellent. Mule and donkey lovers definitely need to own this one!

Rating:
Summary: Great book, but so little about donkeys...
Review: Received a signed copy (nice surprise!) of the book which I found to be well written, illustrated and quite complete, information-wise. The only comment I can make is that I thought that there would be more specific information on donkey training than there currently is. While the author's Little Jack Horner tends to prove that whatever a mule can do, so can a donkey, I wonder whether the training described for mules in this book is also applicable as is to donkeys.

But otherwise, really like the book and am happy I purchased it. Will give it a try on my donkey and see where I get to.

Rating:
Summary: Great book, but so little about donkeys...
Review: Received a signed copy (nice surprise!) of the book which I found to be well written, illustrated and quite complete, information-wise. The only comment I can make is that I thought that there would be more specific information on donkey training than there currently is. While the author's Little Jack Horner tends to prove that whatever a mule can do, so can a donkey, I wonder whether the training described for mules in this book is also applicable as is to donkeys.

But otherwise, really like the book and am happy I purchased it. Will give it a try on my donkey and see where I get to.

Rating:
Summary: A must have for mule owners and breeders
Review: This is one good training book. Lots of good information because mules are different from horses. I've used this book over and over especially good for people new to mule ownership or those who are breeding mules from their favorite mares. I wish I had read it before my mule was born it might have saved me from making some mistakes. Easy to read and full of good training tips.