Talking Taylor part three: The behaviour benchmark

Throughout her rehoming journey, Taylor has been nothing short of the perfect rehoming candidate.

Unperturbed by new experiences, comfortable being handled by people she knows and doesn’t, and displaying a relaxed, cheerful temperament, she has proven that she will make a fantastic addition to a Guardian home.

But not every donkey treads a path so simple as Taylor’s. And just because Taylor is such a black and white case doesn’t mean that our Behaviour team can afford to be complacent when assessing her for rehoming.

As Kerry explains, preparing donkeys thoroughly for rehoming is not just about ticking boxes – it’s about setting them up for long-term success.

“Donkeys are intelligent, sensitive animals who thrive on routine, familiarity, and trust,” Kerry says.

“When they are well handled and confident in a variety of situations, they are far more likely to settle successfully into new environments, build positive relationships with new owners and remain in their new homes long term.

“Inconsistent or underprepared donkeys may struggle with change, leading to stress, behavioural issues or even being returned to our care.

“By increasing their exposure to different handling styles, environments and routines, we help them develop the resilience and adaptability they need to cope with life beyond our care.”

Slow changes

One of the most critical parts of a donkey’s preparation is generalisation training.

Any donkey who is rehomed may have been a resident donkey in one of our sanctuary herds for a number of years. During that time, they become familiar with their grooms, routines, environments and herd companions, so when they move, everything changes.

They may be rehomed as single donkey to join another already at the home, so they would have no familiar companion. Others are rehomed in a pair – but even then the familiarity of a herd will be lost in a Guardian home.

“We aim to introduce change slowly before they move,” Kerry says. “If we don’t take the time to do this with the donkeys, they will find the changes overwhelming and this causes undue stress.

“By going through change in a gradual and positive way, this builds the donkey’s resilience and mindset towards change and helps them understand that this can be a positive experience.”

Familiarity and friendship

When introducing training and handling, our Behaviour team always starts with one familiar handler. This is someone the donkey trusts and someone they look to for safety and reassurance.

Once the donkey is comfortable with all areas of handling, the team can start to introduce an unfamiliar handler.

“By doing this, we can introduce the donkey to change and to the idea that an unfamiliar handler can be safe, despite the inevitable differences in their style of handling, energy levels and confidence levels,” Kerry explains.

“The familiar handler can act as a bridge to transition to new people and situations calmly, confidently and consistently.”

It’s not just handling that needs to be considered with rehoming – every donkey that goes to a Guardian home is an individual animal, with their own complex set of likes, dislikes and needs.

“Some donkeys are playful and some are quiet and independent,” Kerry explains. “If they’re going to a new home as a single donkey, we can match them to a type of home or companion. Some donkeys may thrive in a busy environment whereas other may find it overwhelming.

“By understanding the donkey as an individual, we understand who they are and their needs. By gaining this insight, we can tailor their preparation and also match them with the right home.

“Their behaviours and characteristics are shared with prospective homes, giving clear picture of the donkey they’re welcoming and setting everyone up for success.”

So, how does Taylor stack up in Kerry’s estimations?

“Taylor is a very friendly and calm donkey,” she says. “She basically takes everything in her stride. She is an ideal fit for rehoming.

“In this rehoming case, Taylor did not require any specific training. She has had a lot of handling in the past already, so her comfort with that has naturally strengthened.

“The hospital visit (which you can read about in Talking Taylor part two) would have hugely benefitted her as it’s a different environment, with new handlers and fresh smells.

“Taylor was introduced to that environment in positive way and though her experience was not part of the training, she still hugely benefitted from it.

Kerry’s verdict: Taylor is a friendly, gentle-natured donkey and it is clear to see that she would thrive in a home environment. In my time as an equine behaviourist, I’ve assessed dozens of donkeys and if I could compile a list of most easy-going, Taylor would rank close to the top!