Sharing the joy of driving donkeys

Debbie Street gives a clinic to Australian carriage drivers with skills that work worldwide

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Summer 2024 was quite an adventure for the Street family. After much careful planning, we were finally able to fulfil a long-standing request from Pat and Barry Emmet and the council and members of the Donkey All Breeds Society of Australia to run a driving clinic down under.

As you might expect, I carefully assessed and planned the sessions in advance. By asking questions online and looking at videos and photos, I could see that there was a huge range of experience and ability amongst the folk wanting to take the course. What immediately became clear was that even the inexperienced drivers had good equine or farming skills. They were riders or experienced animal handlers. Just a basic course in long reining and driving would not really cut it. They needed advanced skills alongside the basic ones, and it had to be an enjoyable experience for both animals and drivers. Whilst teaching carriage driving with donkeys over the last twenty years, I have found that two areas, donkey psychology combined with traditional rein skills, are crucial for promoting happy driving donkeys who offer free forward movement, good transitions, and excellent turning. So, for the DABSA Australian Clinics these two became the main topics for study and practise, alongside sessions upon correct harnessing, putting to, and pulling a sledge for the first time.