What can burros be used for?
Burros can be used in the same fashion as a horse. You can ride them, pack them, hitch them to a cart or wagon, or show them. They can be utilized as a guard animal to protect sheep, goats and even cows from predators such as coyotes or wild dogs. Burros also make wonderful pets.

How do burros behave in the wild?
Wild burros are not like wild horses in that they do not run in family groups composed of a dominant stallion and several mares or harems. Instead burros tend to form loose knit social groups. Wild burros are social in nature and they stay together more from desire to than need. Large groups of burros may stay together for an afternoon or for several days, but eventually they break up and go their separate ways. The strongest bond is between a jenny and her foal. They may stay together for as long as two years.

Wild burros are herbivores, or grazing animals, and in nature are a prey species. To survive, they depend on their keen sense of smell, sight and sound. They are most vulnerable when their sight is restricted as they dip their head to eat or drink. They continually work their ears to pick up sounds that may warn them of potential threat or danger. The direction that they point their ears indicates the area that they are looking or thinking about.

Should I adopt an older animal or a younger one?
People tend to adopt young burros because they believe that they gentle down quicker. This may be true to some extent, but remember, burros are social in nature and independent in thought. The key to training your burro is to gain its trust, young or old.

As wild animals, they are very fearful of humans at first. Also, being a socially independent animal, burros tend to do things because they want to, not to please others. The common belief is that burros are stubborn, but actually they are just cautious. If they are unsure of their situation, they will not willingly proceed. It is very difficult to force a burro into a situation that they do not know, so pushing or pulling them usually ends up being a contest of wills.

Once you have gained the trust of a burro, they become more willing to do things that are unfamiliar to them. In addition, understanding this trait makes age less of a factor in gentling a wild burro.

Should I adopt a male or female?
If you get a jack (male) and do not intend to use him as a breeding animal, it is best to geld him. Once an animal has been gelded, his life centers around eating and companionship. A gelding will usually gentle down quicker then a stud. A jenny (female), by nature, is more standoffish than a jack or gelding. In the wild, she is usually pregnant, or has a foal by her side, or both. Because of her desire to successfully rear her young, she is more protective, and, hence, less willing to trust people. Though a little more time and patience may be required, jennies can learn to trust people. Once gentled, they may be even more calm then a gelding.

Are all burros the same?
Absolutely not. When adopting a wild burro, keep in mind that they have personalities just like people. Each is an individual. There are good ones and bad ones, some are cranky, some are friendly, some are more independent than others and some are smarter. When looking to adopt a burro, spend some time looking at the animals and see if you can find one whose personality strikes you as someone who you'd like to meet. Look for the burro that you like as an individual, and that will make it that much easier for the burro to like you.

How do I select a burro that is best for me?
Size, color, conformation, hair texture, markings, or scars are not important when looking for a pet. If the animal is being selected to be used as a work, or show animal, then these considerations become more important. For pets, match yourself with a burro whose personality suits you best.

When selecting a burro as a work animal, check the legs to make sure they are sturdy and straight. Long legs on a young animal indicates potential for growth. The size of a burro varies and may depend on the area in which it was gathered. For example, extreme environments normally produce smaller, more efficient animals.

Are wild burros sociable?
Yes. When you go to an adoption event to adopt your burro, watch their behavior. When undisturbed, you will notice them standing in the pen lazily grooming each other. Like other animals, they like and respond to physical contact. When you get to the point where you can touch your burro, scratch them where they groom each other (neck, back, shoulders and rump). Those areas that they mutually groom each other is familiar and comforting to them. Once they accept you touching them in familiar spots and a higher level of trust has been achieved, you can proceed to other areas such as the face and legs.

What can I do to help my burro adjust to its new home?
When you adopt a burro, remember it has been in captivity for at least thirty days. It has the feeding and watering routine down at the corral, but when introduced into another environment, it has to learn where the food and water is all over again. Burros do not know how to drink from an automatic drinker, so supply water in a trough. The first time you fill the trough, let the water run over the side a little so the burro can see it. Remember, a burro is most vulnerable when their head is down so knowing where the water is without lowering their head makes it less traumatic to find a new water source. Feed them in the same place every time, so they get comfortable with the feed routine. Initially, it is best to stay and watch them eat. Speak to them in a low, calm voice so they can become more familiar with you. Even though their head is down to drink, they will know exactly where you are. Watch their ears move to follow sounds. After several successful feeding sessions, they will begin to trust your presence during a time of high vulnerability.

Are these animals really wild?
Yes, they are wild animals and, by nature, do not trust human beings. Do not put yourself in harms' way, or allow your animal to get into a position that could cause injury to you or the animal. Take your time and think "safe" for both of you. The burro is in a foreign environment. Being wild, when pressured, the first thing they will try to do is escape. When they realize they are confined and can not flee, they will try to ward off perceived danger with physical action (either biting or kicking). Building their trust in you will eliminate the fear that may trigger a harmful physical response directed at you. To gain their trust, you must help them feel "safe."

Back