A donkey will follow you best when it’s not frightened by what’s happening around it (people, machines, odd objects like an old tyre or log !) and when it can trust the donkey driver. You should therefore treat a donkey a bit like a child that you don’t know to start with : stay calm, give it a stroke/pat to help it get used to you. Don’t pull its head off when it stops : try instead to see why your donkey has stopped, let it have a good look around and even show it where to walk. When a donkey is frightened of something on the path, it often needs a few minutes to overcome its fear and move on. Don’t try to go to fast because otherwise it won’t trust you. Gentleness and firmness are most important.
Do not hit a donkey ! It won’t help. The donkey will better understand a change in voice and will feel if you do not agree with it’s behaviour. However a slight smack on a donkeys rear quarters is allowed to help it along (I often use a long piece of grass or the end of a flimsy branch, its enough for them to feel you).
A donkey is clever and can be cunning. It light try to test you to see what it might get away with (like eating all the time). Be firm (no violence). For example, don’t let it eat every 10 feet, pull it on gently and tell it "no" - choose yourself the places where the donkey can stop and have a break.
If a donkey won’t move forward, either after some time, then don’t pull too much. Try pushing or enticing it to come along with a treat (bread, carrot, etc.). Please don’t treat it too much because too much "junk food" is bad for its health.
Don’t put children on the donkey’s back when going dowhill. Sometimes the donkey might need to fasten its pace to balance properly and this might unbalance the child.
If you’re out during a storm : don’t panic. Come down from any high points (like around the tower of Barry) and walk back towards Lôo at a sensible pace. Do not shelter under a isolated tree. Do not run.
The donkey driver is responsible for the donkey on the road (and any related accidents), so take care and make sure that you control the donkey on the road and on all other paths.
Don’t forget to take :
enough water for your trip (all villages do not necessarily provide a water point)
- a picnic or some kind of nibbles
sun hat or cap
sun screen
suitable footwear (no high heels, or flip-flops !)
