SPOTS 'N STRIPES RANCH
Training Zebras - Zorses - Zonkeys
Due to overwhelming e-mails inquiring about how we get our zebras trained, we will share with you some of our training tips that we use with our zebras, donkeys, zonkeys, zorses, mules and even horses. What we do with our zebras will work on donkeys, mules, zorses, zonkeys and most often with horses, but what is done just with horses often has little to do with getting the other species and hybrids trained. We will get as many tips up on the site as possible, but it will be an on-going task. We are always glad to hear from so many of our fellow 'stripers' from around the world. Please continue to e-mail us with questions and comments.
FIRST, we need to say that these methods are simply our own, and in no way can we take any responsibility for any injury or results of any kind incurred by anyone copying, trying to copy, understanding or misunderstanding our methods of training. The technical aspects of zebra training include understanding (and speaking 'zebra') zebra communication, behavior, understanding the individual nuances of a particular animal, and knowing that 'timing is everything'. Along with all that - COMMON SENSE has a big place in zebra training. Just knowing WHAT we do is not enough, nor is HOW to do it. No one should work with a zebra unless they have much prior successful training experience with large animals. Zebras are five times stronger than a horse, and are inherently dangerous animals. Unless you understand everything about the particular species and are an expert trainer, we do not recommend anyone work with or train a horse, a zonkey, a zorse, a mule, a donkey, or a zebra. If anyone uses any of our methods of training, you waive any right to recourse of any kind against Spots 'N Stripes Ranch, Inc., its trainers, owners, writers, web hosts, web masters, or anyone else associated with the Ranch. By putting up this web page, we are simply sharing with you our personal methods (or partial methods) of training, and these writings may leave out many and varied particular actions or reactions of both the animal and the human counterparts during the training, so should not be considered as an exact training criteria for training an animal to a particular behavior.
Pre-requisites to tie training - Haltering, leading
We love training our zebras to tie using the hot walker. It is a virtually fool proof way to train to tie without fear of the animals hurting themselves. They have the freedom of movement within the range of the hot walker tie lead, and if frightened and pull, there is no abrupt jerk since the hot walker will move with them. We do not have the hot walker on, and we loosen the belt for this training. The youngsters and wilder, older zebras alike train to tie in one session, but of course we tie them for about 10 minutes daily until they are fully accustomed to it and simply stand still and at ease while tied. One of the considerations when using a hot walker would be making sure your hot walker ties are secure enough for a zebra - remember, a zebra is 5 times stronger than a horse. If your zebra runs solidly away in a straight line from the arm of the hot walker, it could reach the end of the lead and jerk back pretty hard, possibly injuring itself. The length of the lead you use on the hot walker is VITALLY important so that no running room is allowed to cause this problem. Too short a lead will also be a problem, making the zebra feel too confined if its head is tied too high. We tie them so that their heads are in a comfortable position, but not enough lead so that they could get a foot over the lead if they rear up a little. If your zebra were to get loose from the hot walker and you are not in a fenced in area, where could your zebra go? Be aware of ALL possibilities when training your zebra, zonkey, or zorse. Our training facility has 5 fully fenced acres with 6' chain link so that if a zebra were to run loose, it will be contained within the ranch property. The hot walker area is in a 1/2 acre 6' fenced area. And, of course, you would never leave your animals alone on the hot walker; you must be right there in case they were to get into any kind of trouble.
The photo below shows 3 youngsters (one of the three is hidden behind the cone of the hot walker) that have already been on the hot walker for a couple of days and a fourth being introduced and 'feeling out' that 'tie' situation.
The photo below shows the fourth youngster (front, left) just after a couple of minutes understanding what it needs to do. This is a great time, once they are standing quietly, to pick up feet, touch them all over, etc. You can concentrate on training them, not on holding them. The hot walker is a great assistant when the trainer is working alone.
From this point we teach our zebras to cross tie, then we teach them to trailer tie.
