1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:02,760 Speaker 1: I want to talk to you about the Donkey Discovery 2 00:00:02,960 --> 00:00:06,400 Speaker 1: program that runs at Harndorff. And I was fascinated to 3 00:00:06,880 --> 00:00:09,080 Speaker 1: find out about this thanks to Lenna mount Barker who 4 00:00:09,080 --> 00:00:11,840 Speaker 1: sent me the information. She spotted it on a community 5 00:00:11,960 --> 00:00:15,240 Speaker 1: switchboard or community board somewhere up in Mount Barker and 6 00:00:15,280 --> 00:00:19,239 Speaker 1: sent me the details. And I explained to my next 7 00:00:19,280 --> 00:00:21,280 Speaker 1: guest who you're going to meet in a sex Sarah Harris, 8 00:00:21,320 --> 00:00:25,120 Speaker 1: who runs the program that i'd recently read Sheltered by 9 00:00:25,200 --> 00:00:28,240 Speaker 1: Melody Horral. Of course you remember Melody Weather, presenter and 10 00:00:28,640 --> 00:00:31,880 Speaker 1: animal lover here in Adelaide. She was on seven and 11 00:00:32,000 --> 00:00:35,839 Speaker 1: ten for many years. And Melody wrote a book Sheltered, 12 00:00:35,920 --> 00:00:42,599 Speaker 1: which is about people's reactions and changees in their lives 13 00:00:42,880 --> 00:00:46,559 Speaker 1: through a rescue animal. Now that it might have been a dog, cat, 14 00:00:46,920 --> 00:00:51,599 Speaker 1: a horse, a ferret in one case, and donkeys, and 15 00:00:51,880 --> 00:00:55,360 Speaker 1: both the animal and generally the person have come through 16 00:00:55,440 --> 00:00:58,440 Speaker 1: hard times, whatever it might be, a divorce or you know, 17 00:01:00,280 --> 00:01:02,760 Speaker 1: maybe an addiction that they're recovering from, whatever it was, 18 00:01:03,160 --> 00:01:05,959 Speaker 1: but a couple of people, for whatever reason ended up 19 00:01:06,280 --> 00:01:11,600 Speaker 1: with rescue donkeys and the stories that Melody relates just amazing. 20 00:01:11,680 --> 00:01:14,959 Speaker 1: So when I found out about Donkey Discovery Harndorff. I thought, well, 21 00:01:15,040 --> 00:01:17,399 Speaker 1: let's have a chat about how you can get involved 22 00:01:17,400 --> 00:01:20,440 Speaker 1: with this and what it's like donkeys, Well, they're not 23 00:01:20,520 --> 00:01:23,360 Speaker 1: just donkeys. Well, use it as a as a bad 24 00:01:23,400 --> 00:01:27,119 Speaker 1: word to describe people sometimes, Sarah Harrah Solo, how are you? 25 00:01:27,360 --> 00:01:28,840 Speaker 2: I'm very well, thank you, Matthew. 26 00:01:29,000 --> 00:01:32,679 Speaker 1: Tell me about donkey Discovery Harndorff. And more so the donkeys. 27 00:01:32,720 --> 00:01:35,480 Speaker 1: What there's something special about them is what I've understood, 28 00:01:35,480 --> 00:01:36,600 Speaker 1: at least from Melody's book. 29 00:01:36,840 --> 00:01:40,039 Speaker 3: Oh well, Melody's book, and yes on you. Once you're 30 00:01:40,080 --> 00:01:42,400 Speaker 3: loved by a donkey, or you love a donkey, you're gone. 31 00:01:42,760 --> 00:01:47,120 Speaker 3: Really Yeah, they are very special animals. And as you say, 32 00:01:47,160 --> 00:01:50,320 Speaker 3: they have been the butt of many jokes, haven't they 33 00:01:50,360 --> 00:01:53,600 Speaker 3: over the years. Is that the stubbornness, well, we don't 34 00:01:53,640 --> 00:01:55,800 Speaker 3: call it stubborn in the donkey world. We call it 35 00:01:55,840 --> 00:01:59,640 Speaker 3: non compliant, right, okay, because there is a way around 36 00:01:59,680 --> 00:02:03,360 Speaker 3: the stuff, but just all part of what they are 37 00:02:03,400 --> 00:02:07,440 Speaker 3: and who they are, because they have to feel very 38 00:02:07,480 --> 00:02:10,480 Speaker 3: safe with their handler and their trainer and the person 39 00:02:10,480 --> 00:02:12,959 Speaker 3: who owns them before they'll do something. So if they're 40 00:02:12,960 --> 00:02:15,040 Speaker 3: not feeling safe or you're asking them to do something 41 00:02:15,040 --> 00:02:16,640 Speaker 3: that they can. No, no, no, no, no, that's not 42 00:02:16,760 --> 00:02:20,680 Speaker 3: quite right. They do just stop. And I think when 43 00:02:20,680 --> 00:02:23,520 Speaker 3: you say, what's so special about them? You know, as 44 00:02:23,560 --> 00:02:26,080 Speaker 3: I think I've mentioned you, I've had horses many, many years, 45 00:02:26,560 --> 00:02:29,880 Speaker 3: but the donkeys have taught me so much. And I 46 00:02:29,880 --> 00:02:34,800 Speaker 3: think one of those things is patient. You cannot hurry them. 47 00:02:35,120 --> 00:02:36,200 Speaker 2: And I've found that. 48 00:02:36,360 --> 00:02:39,480 Speaker 3: So I've only had donkeys for four years, so I 49 00:02:39,520 --> 00:02:40,560 Speaker 3: am learning. 50 00:02:40,240 --> 00:02:41,720 Speaker 2: Every day all about them. 51 00:02:42,320 --> 00:02:45,040 Speaker 3: And there's a you know, fabulous group of people in 52 00:02:45,120 --> 00:02:47,120 Speaker 3: South Australia have had donkeys a lot longer than me, 53 00:02:47,160 --> 00:02:50,440 Speaker 3: who I'm able to sort of call on because you know, 54 00:02:50,560 --> 00:02:53,640 Speaker 3: you do you have to learn about them and they 55 00:02:53,680 --> 00:02:56,120 Speaker 3: are very different from horses and to train them there 56 00:02:56,200 --> 00:02:56,720 Speaker 3: very differently. 57 00:02:57,600 --> 00:03:01,040 Speaker 2: As you said, you just use the word stubborn, none complaint. 58 00:03:01,320 --> 00:03:02,480 Speaker 2: Why not use that word? 59 00:03:02,880 --> 00:03:09,200 Speaker 3: So? Yeah, but they are incredibly curious, they're inquisitive, they're loving, 60 00:03:09,320 --> 00:03:10,480 Speaker 3: and they're very social. 61 00:03:10,720 --> 00:03:13,240 Speaker 1: Are they smarter than horses? Would you go there? 62 00:03:13,320 --> 00:03:16,480 Speaker 3: Oh gosh, if you can't ask me that, I might 63 00:03:16,520 --> 00:03:20,400 Speaker 3: get people upset. Look, it's different smartness. I did actually 64 00:03:20,440 --> 00:03:22,959 Speaker 3: read something about donkeys because. 65 00:03:22,680 --> 00:03:25,200 Speaker 2: Sometimes I think I've put your food there. Why can't 66 00:03:25,240 --> 00:03:25,560 Speaker 2: you see it? 67 00:03:25,560 --> 00:03:28,000 Speaker 3: Whereas a horse would just doesn't matter how far away 68 00:03:28,040 --> 00:03:30,440 Speaker 3: you they just go to it. But I did read 69 00:03:30,480 --> 00:03:35,720 Speaker 3: something that said donkeys are, while they're really intelligent, fabulous memories, 70 00:03:35,840 --> 00:03:39,680 Speaker 3: they're not good at solving problems that people actually put 71 00:03:39,720 --> 00:03:42,080 Speaker 3: in front of them, right, which. 72 00:03:41,880 --> 00:03:44,320 Speaker 2: Is sort of yeah. And I have sort of discovered 73 00:03:44,360 --> 00:03:45,000 Speaker 2: that a little bit. 74 00:03:45,840 --> 00:03:48,080 Speaker 3: So then for therefore I have to be careful I 75 00:03:48,120 --> 00:03:50,320 Speaker 3: ask them and how I ask them to do things? 76 00:03:50,480 --> 00:03:50,720 Speaker 1: Right? 77 00:03:50,800 --> 00:03:51,880 Speaker 2: So yeah, wow? 78 00:03:52,840 --> 00:03:55,440 Speaker 1: How do they react with people? So you bring people in? 79 00:03:55,680 --> 00:03:58,880 Speaker 1: And I imagine horses, you know, inquisitive maybe for a bit, 80 00:03:59,120 --> 00:04:01,560 Speaker 1: will either stay or go as the mood takes them. 81 00:04:01,560 --> 00:04:02,880 Speaker 1: How did donkeys react? 82 00:04:03,280 --> 00:04:05,960 Speaker 2: They are a little bit like that they horses. Yeah, 83 00:04:06,400 --> 00:04:09,119 Speaker 2: my horses come up? What are you doing? Whatever? No food? Okay, 84 00:04:09,120 --> 00:04:09,680 Speaker 2: we're at here. 85 00:04:10,800 --> 00:04:13,720 Speaker 3: The very first donkey I got, he was needing to 86 00:04:13,760 --> 00:04:14,360 Speaker 3: be rehomed. 87 00:04:14,400 --> 00:04:15,480 Speaker 2: He's an old jack. 88 00:04:15,520 --> 00:04:17,400 Speaker 3: Actually he's in his thirties, and a jack is an 89 00:04:17,480 --> 00:04:20,960 Speaker 3: ungelded donkey, and so he was the first one. 90 00:04:21,160 --> 00:04:24,800 Speaker 2: And he would if you go into the paddock. 91 00:04:24,839 --> 00:04:27,240 Speaker 3: What I noticed, It doesn't matter where I went in 92 00:04:27,279 --> 00:04:29,800 Speaker 3: the paddock, he would follow me. He would just stay 93 00:04:29,839 --> 00:04:32,200 Speaker 3: by my side. So that's where the loyalty comes in there, 94 00:04:32,240 --> 00:04:33,039 Speaker 3: very very loyal. 95 00:04:33,360 --> 00:04:34,440 Speaker 2: He did have to get to know me. 96 00:04:34,520 --> 00:04:37,000 Speaker 3: It did take us about two months of you know, 97 00:04:37,960 --> 00:04:39,960 Speaker 3: me getting to know him. But once he got to 98 00:04:40,000 --> 00:04:42,560 Speaker 3: know me, I can put his feed down and walk 99 00:04:42,560 --> 00:04:43,600 Speaker 3: to the other end of the paddock. 100 00:04:43,640 --> 00:04:45,200 Speaker 2: He will follow me, right, he will. 101 00:04:45,000 --> 00:04:49,560 Speaker 3: Come with me. And that really surprised me. I was like, 102 00:04:49,600 --> 00:04:53,680 Speaker 3: oh my goodness. Yeah, they love company, and to the 103 00:04:53,760 --> 00:04:57,160 Speaker 3: extent that not long after I'd got him, especially. 104 00:04:56,920 --> 00:04:59,280 Speaker 2: If I'm in a hurry, try not to be. But 105 00:04:59,320 --> 00:05:02,000 Speaker 2: you know, this day you are put his head down 106 00:05:02,200 --> 00:05:02,679 Speaker 2: or whatever. 107 00:05:02,760 --> 00:05:06,159 Speaker 3: Get and I noticed he was starting to walk between 108 00:05:06,160 --> 00:05:10,279 Speaker 3: the gate and me and just stand there. I go, okay, 109 00:05:10,680 --> 00:05:12,240 Speaker 3: and you can't move it. Dog there and they want 110 00:05:12,279 --> 00:05:14,120 Speaker 3: to stand still, be in your way. 111 00:05:14,200 --> 00:05:16,400 Speaker 2: That's it. And so you know, I raced out through 112 00:05:16,400 --> 00:05:19,920 Speaker 2: the fence and next day did the same. He did 113 00:05:19,920 --> 00:05:22,160 Speaker 2: the same. He got between me and the gate, and. 114 00:05:22,120 --> 00:05:24,760 Speaker 3: I went, what is going on? And I went, oh 115 00:05:24,800 --> 00:05:30,440 Speaker 3: my goodness. He was telling me in his language. I 116 00:05:30,480 --> 00:05:33,040 Speaker 3: was being too fast, I was putting his feet there 117 00:05:33,040 --> 00:05:34,440 Speaker 3: and I was not giving him any attention. 118 00:05:35,320 --> 00:05:38,880 Speaker 2: And so I just start, okay, I have to look 119 00:05:38,920 --> 00:05:39,599 Speaker 2: at how I'm doing this. 120 00:05:39,680 --> 00:05:42,400 Speaker 3: So I'd stop, I'd give him a cuddle, hug him, 121 00:05:42,480 --> 00:05:44,760 Speaker 3: give him a scratch. As long as I was there 122 00:05:44,760 --> 00:05:46,640 Speaker 3: five to ten minutes, he'd just go over to his hay. 123 00:05:46,680 --> 00:05:49,560 Speaker 2: And I've gone right, So that's yeah. 124 00:05:49,600 --> 00:05:51,800 Speaker 3: So that's the sort of thing I was learning from this, 125 00:05:51,800 --> 00:05:54,800 Speaker 3: this old this old fellow who was just beautiful, and 126 00:05:54,839 --> 00:05:55,640 Speaker 3: I've still got him. 127 00:05:55,800 --> 00:05:58,680 Speaker 1: How did it come? How many do you have? Now? 128 00:05:58,000 --> 00:06:03,400 Speaker 2: Oh? Right, that's what I mean. I fell hard. I 129 00:06:03,480 --> 00:06:04,720 Speaker 2: did four hearts. 130 00:06:04,560 --> 00:06:05,760 Speaker 1: And this is in four years. 131 00:06:06,120 --> 00:06:07,560 Speaker 2: So it is in four years. 132 00:06:07,839 --> 00:06:13,120 Speaker 1: And are they all inherited? Are they rescue animals or so? 133 00:06:13,120 --> 00:06:16,000 Speaker 3: So? Gregory the jack, he was what he was given 134 00:06:16,000 --> 00:06:18,680 Speaker 3: to me. Okay, he needed rehoming. And I put my 135 00:06:18,720 --> 00:06:22,240 Speaker 3: hand up because I just started working with my horses 136 00:06:22,240 --> 00:06:24,839 Speaker 3: with ech one assisted learning, and I thought, oh, donkey, 137 00:06:24,839 --> 00:06:29,480 Speaker 3: you'd be wonderful, knowing that they were quite different in personality. Uh. 138 00:06:29,520 --> 00:06:33,960 Speaker 3: And then we I got a phone call from Oh no, 139 00:06:34,080 --> 00:06:35,880 Speaker 3: then everyone's saying, you can't have one donkey. 140 00:06:36,520 --> 00:06:38,200 Speaker 2: So that becomes a real chart. 141 00:06:38,360 --> 00:06:40,839 Speaker 3: You can't have one donkey, You can't have one okay, okay, 142 00:06:40,880 --> 00:06:42,480 Speaker 3: so I'll get another dog. 143 00:06:42,600 --> 00:06:45,480 Speaker 1: Can you have one cat, one dog, one goldfish, you know, 144 00:06:46,200 --> 00:06:46,719 Speaker 1: one hands. 145 00:06:48,400 --> 00:06:50,560 Speaker 3: You can't have one donkey because this is how social that. 146 00:06:50,640 --> 00:06:52,000 Speaker 3: I was like, okay, I'll get a second dog there, 147 00:06:52,080 --> 00:06:52,960 Speaker 3: that's okay, just. 148 00:06:52,839 --> 00:06:54,400 Speaker 2: One more won't hurt. 149 00:06:54,960 --> 00:06:57,919 Speaker 3: So I get a little tiny fella from Victoria's in 150 00:06:57,920 --> 00:06:59,719 Speaker 3: the middle of Covid actually, so it was quite hard 151 00:06:59,720 --> 00:07:02,560 Speaker 3: to get him. And he was only five months old 152 00:07:02,560 --> 00:07:04,719 Speaker 3: and he arrived. Well they have never got on. 153 00:07:05,240 --> 00:07:07,080 Speaker 2: They hate each other really with a passion. 154 00:07:07,120 --> 00:07:07,840 Speaker 1: Oh my goodness. 155 00:07:07,960 --> 00:07:10,000 Speaker 2: So that was a problem. But by this time I've 156 00:07:10,000 --> 00:07:11,400 Speaker 2: got the older one to be. 157 00:07:11,520 --> 00:07:13,800 Speaker 3: He was bonding with a little Welsh mountain pony, so 158 00:07:13,840 --> 00:07:17,800 Speaker 3: he wasn't lonely. And little Murphy who arrived, he decided 159 00:07:17,880 --> 00:07:20,080 Speaker 3: that he was just going to bomb with the Clydesdales. 160 00:07:20,520 --> 00:07:22,600 Speaker 3: So he thinks he's a Clydestar. So he spent the 161 00:07:22,680 --> 00:07:25,160 Speaker 3: majority of his life with the Clydesdales. I invite him 162 00:07:25,160 --> 00:07:29,640 Speaker 3: in with the others, but often he just was yeah. 163 00:07:29,720 --> 00:07:32,160 Speaker 2: And so that was two then. 164 00:07:33,400 --> 00:07:36,440 Speaker 3: Because I used to work for the RSPCA many many 165 00:07:36,480 --> 00:07:38,040 Speaker 3: years ago, but still no people there. 166 00:07:38,040 --> 00:07:39,800 Speaker 2: I got a phone call Sarah. 167 00:07:39,840 --> 00:07:44,720 Speaker 3: We got a problem, what sort anyway, I ended up 168 00:07:45,440 --> 00:07:49,600 Speaker 3: taking ownership of four very young, probably between well the 169 00:07:49,680 --> 00:07:51,640 Speaker 3: youngest was about three months and the others probably went 170 00:07:51,680 --> 00:07:54,560 Speaker 3: up to two. Totally unhandled, never been touched. 171 00:07:54,600 --> 00:07:55,440 Speaker 2: Ye donkeys. 172 00:07:55,600 --> 00:08:00,120 Speaker 1: Okay, what's so they're like brumbies. I suppose what do 173 00:08:00,160 --> 00:08:00,520 Speaker 1: you call them? 174 00:08:00,640 --> 00:08:00,840 Speaker 2: Yeah? 175 00:08:02,240 --> 00:08:06,200 Speaker 3: Yeah, well yeah, I suppose just mild donkeys. We feral 176 00:08:06,240 --> 00:08:08,920 Speaker 3: donkeys in center of Australia. 177 00:08:09,040 --> 00:08:09,840 Speaker 2: These weren't feral. 178 00:08:10,080 --> 00:08:12,800 Speaker 3: They did have They came from a big property out 179 00:08:12,840 --> 00:08:15,360 Speaker 3: at craig One. Very sadly the old man had passed 180 00:08:15,360 --> 00:08:18,600 Speaker 3: away who bred them. But they'd all been left alone 181 00:08:18,640 --> 00:08:21,760 Speaker 3: for well over a year, they discovered. But luckily during 182 00:08:21,760 --> 00:08:23,680 Speaker 3: that season there was enough water in the dam when 183 00:08:23,680 --> 00:08:26,720 Speaker 3: there was enough grass. So yeah, so I said to 184 00:08:26,800 --> 00:08:29,600 Speaker 3: know after I said I'd take four, and I went, 185 00:08:30,080 --> 00:08:31,239 Speaker 3: what am I thinking? 186 00:08:31,640 --> 00:08:34,000 Speaker 2: Like, why would I think that I can manage this? 187 00:08:35,440 --> 00:08:39,199 Speaker 3: But we did and now they're just the most beautiful 188 00:08:39,280 --> 00:08:43,640 Speaker 3: herd donkeys. And it's taken only two years, but some 189 00:08:43,679 --> 00:08:45,640 Speaker 3: of them just took you know, a couple of months 190 00:08:45,640 --> 00:08:50,480 Speaker 3: and they were really really the handleable and they I 191 00:08:50,520 --> 00:08:53,040 Speaker 3: mean they're just totally charming as a little herd. They've 192 00:08:53,040 --> 00:08:56,160 Speaker 3: all got their own personality. So that's where the donkey 193 00:08:56,280 --> 00:08:59,440 Speaker 3: Discovery also sort of grew from because. 194 00:08:59,400 --> 00:09:00,480 Speaker 2: They love it tension. 195 00:09:01,120 --> 00:09:05,560 Speaker 3: They just crave attention, and you know, people come up 196 00:09:05,600 --> 00:09:08,840 Speaker 3: and they they literally can't believe that donkey hugs you 197 00:09:09,160 --> 00:09:10,560 Speaker 3: because they'll put their head on your. 198 00:09:10,480 --> 00:09:12,760 Speaker 2: Shoulder and just snuggle into you. 199 00:09:13,840 --> 00:09:16,600 Speaker 3: And then Murphy, my really cheeky little Irish donkey, he'll 200 00:09:16,600 --> 00:09:19,240 Speaker 3: put his head on your hair, sorry, his head on 201 00:09:19,280 --> 00:09:22,080 Speaker 3: my shoulder and then literally try and wrap his leg 202 00:09:22,200 --> 00:09:22,880 Speaker 3: around my legs. 203 00:09:22,960 --> 00:09:23,160 Speaker 1: Wow. 204 00:09:23,800 --> 00:09:28,000 Speaker 3: Yeah, they are quite unique there. They're just full of 205 00:09:28,320 --> 00:09:29,440 Speaker 3: charm and quirkiness. 206 00:09:29,520 --> 00:09:32,440 Speaker 1: Okay, so when people come up to meet them as 207 00:09:32,480 --> 00:09:37,120 Speaker 1: part of the discovery experience, do the donkeys take to 208 00:09:37,200 --> 00:09:38,240 Speaker 1: them or not? 209 00:09:39,559 --> 00:09:43,040 Speaker 3: And this is the thing about you know, horses and donkeys, 210 00:09:43,080 --> 00:09:47,040 Speaker 3: they will definitely mirror exactly how you're feeling. So I've 211 00:09:47,080 --> 00:09:51,000 Speaker 3: found that quite interesting. Most people have come up because 212 00:09:51,040 --> 00:09:53,199 Speaker 3: I have only been doing this since this year, is 213 00:09:53,280 --> 00:09:56,959 Speaker 3: in January February we started, and I've only ever had 214 00:09:57,000 --> 00:10:00,640 Speaker 3: sort of one group where obviously one person to come, 215 00:10:00,760 --> 00:10:02,480 Speaker 3: and I do have a minimum of four people and 216 00:10:02,520 --> 00:10:07,280 Speaker 3: a maximum of ten. In groups, one person wanted to 217 00:10:07,320 --> 00:10:12,880 Speaker 3: come and maybe the rest were not quite as enthusiastic 218 00:10:13,080 --> 00:10:16,600 Speaker 3: or excited about it, and I noticed the donkeys reflected 219 00:10:16,640 --> 00:10:19,439 Speaker 3: that they just walked away stood by the gate. They 220 00:10:19,480 --> 00:10:22,120 Speaker 3: were going, yeah, you know, like you're not interested in us, 221 00:10:22,160 --> 00:10:23,120 Speaker 3: and vice versa. 222 00:10:23,200 --> 00:10:25,840 Speaker 2: So that was like very very telling. 223 00:10:26,320 --> 00:10:30,520 Speaker 3: But overall they just they love, absolutely love people. But 224 00:10:30,720 --> 00:10:32,760 Speaker 3: when people arrive, because I like them to be able 225 00:10:32,760 --> 00:10:34,640 Speaker 3: to see them at liberty, so they're not tied up, 226 00:10:34,960 --> 00:10:37,439 Speaker 3: they're not halted, they're not so they could take a 227 00:10:37,480 --> 00:10:39,439 Speaker 3: grooming brush in and just groom them. What we call 228 00:10:39,480 --> 00:10:42,560 Speaker 3: it liberty, So it gives the donkey freedom to do 229 00:10:42,600 --> 00:10:45,360 Speaker 3: what they do. And sometimes after about forty five minutes 230 00:10:45,400 --> 00:10:46,800 Speaker 3: to an hour, they might go up to the top 231 00:10:46,800 --> 00:10:49,400 Speaker 3: of their paddock and start rolling and doing donkey things. 232 00:10:49,920 --> 00:10:54,400 Speaker 3: But they're quite happy that we follow them. But one 233 00:10:54,440 --> 00:10:57,920 Speaker 3: of the little girls, little Patsy, she is the youngest 234 00:10:57,960 --> 00:11:01,200 Speaker 3: one out of that little herd, and she is totally 235 00:11:02,040 --> 00:11:04,720 Speaker 3: she gets quite jealous if other people are giving one 236 00:11:04,760 --> 00:11:07,080 Speaker 3: donkey too much attention, she will barge in there. 237 00:11:08,200 --> 00:11:10,680 Speaker 2: No, I'm here right, because we did have a. 238 00:11:10,640 --> 00:11:13,720 Speaker 3: Little foul born last oh he turned one on Monday, 239 00:11:14,120 --> 00:11:16,679 Speaker 3: little tinker, and so he's of course a bit of the. 240 00:11:16,600 --> 00:11:20,560 Speaker 2: Baby of the bird now. But she just goes get 241 00:11:20,559 --> 00:11:21,679 Speaker 2: out of my incredible. 242 00:11:22,120 --> 00:11:25,760 Speaker 3: So it's just watching them. That's one of the joys 243 00:11:25,840 --> 00:11:28,839 Speaker 3: is just watching them as well, because their interaction and 244 00:11:28,880 --> 00:11:32,960 Speaker 3: their social social ability is just amazing. And that's why 245 00:11:33,040 --> 00:11:36,880 Speaker 3: people also say donkeys kneed donkeys, right, Okay. 246 00:11:36,679 --> 00:11:38,040 Speaker 2: And I do. 247 00:11:38,360 --> 00:11:44,360 Speaker 3: I do think that's very very true. Murphy doesn't. Murphy 248 00:11:44,400 --> 00:11:47,080 Speaker 3: is a Lauren to himself. He doesn't stay in a paddock. 249 00:11:47,160 --> 00:11:48,240 Speaker 3: He just wanders around. 250 00:11:49,160 --> 00:11:51,400 Speaker 1: But that's personality he is. 251 00:11:51,800 --> 00:11:54,800 Speaker 3: And they've all got different personality. So I say Murphy 252 00:11:55,000 --> 00:11:58,680 Speaker 3: is the donkey at a Shrek. She is the donkeys 253 00:11:58,880 --> 00:12:02,120 Speaker 3: at the glasses half for every single day, like what 254 00:12:02,160 --> 00:12:03,120 Speaker 3: mischief can I get up to? 255 00:12:03,160 --> 00:12:04,320 Speaker 2: He doesn't like anything being. 256 00:12:04,240 --> 00:12:07,880 Speaker 3: Up right, so chairs get tipped over and speed bins 257 00:12:07,920 --> 00:12:10,400 Speaker 3: get tipped over, tables and nothing can be upright. 258 00:12:10,679 --> 00:12:13,200 Speaker 2: And then Gregory the old the old Jack. 259 00:12:13,640 --> 00:12:15,720 Speaker 3: I have to say, he's a bit e or okay 260 00:12:15,920 --> 00:12:17,160 Speaker 3: that the glass is a little bit. 261 00:12:18,440 --> 00:12:21,960 Speaker 2: Yeah, he's a bit like, oh no, what are we 262 00:12:22,040 --> 00:12:23,440 Speaker 2: going to do today? 263 00:12:25,200 --> 00:12:27,880 Speaker 1: When people come up? Now, what's involved? They're there for 264 00:12:27,920 --> 00:12:29,520 Speaker 1: a few hours obviously. 265 00:12:29,120 --> 00:12:30,400 Speaker 2: Yeah, it's a two hour experience. 266 00:12:30,400 --> 00:12:33,839 Speaker 3: So when they arrive, we obviously go through well, get 267 00:12:33,840 --> 00:12:35,600 Speaker 3: the wave forms and everything out of the way. But 268 00:12:35,640 --> 00:12:38,880 Speaker 3: we are we we I tell a safety check, and 269 00:12:38,920 --> 00:12:43,800 Speaker 3: that is about being aware. That's the most important safety 270 00:12:43,880 --> 00:12:45,720 Speaker 3: rule I can give them. I don't want to go 271 00:12:45,840 --> 00:12:48,640 Speaker 3: racing up behind them. I don't want you to, you know, 272 00:12:48,760 --> 00:12:51,480 Speaker 3: run around them. I just want you to be aware. 273 00:12:51,559 --> 00:12:54,560 Speaker 3: So that's a really good learning tool for people. Just 274 00:12:54,640 --> 00:12:58,280 Speaker 3: watch out what's going on behind you. I can't have 275 00:12:58,360 --> 00:13:00,960 Speaker 3: eyes in all over the place. If I have more 276 00:13:01,000 --> 00:13:02,920 Speaker 3: than four people, I always have another set of it 277 00:13:03,000 --> 00:13:03,480 Speaker 3: quite eyes. 278 00:13:05,000 --> 00:13:08,520 Speaker 2: And just be calm and breathe. 279 00:13:08,720 --> 00:13:12,280 Speaker 3: Just just breathe and be calm, because that's how donkeys, 280 00:13:12,360 --> 00:13:13,480 Speaker 3: that's what they respond to. 281 00:13:14,040 --> 00:13:17,280 Speaker 2: And that's just seeing people. And sometimes then they arrive, 282 00:13:17,360 --> 00:13:20,160 Speaker 2: you can see they're a little bit nervous or just like, 283 00:13:20,520 --> 00:13:22,440 Speaker 2: what what are we here for? What's this experience? 284 00:13:22,600 --> 00:13:23,840 Speaker 3: You want me to go in with? I remember when 285 00:13:23,880 --> 00:13:25,480 Speaker 3: we said you want me to go in with them? 286 00:13:27,000 --> 00:13:28,320 Speaker 3: Well that's why you're here. 287 00:13:28,520 --> 00:13:30,319 Speaker 1: But I'm with you. 288 00:13:30,320 --> 00:13:32,880 Speaker 2: You know I'm here. I'm not gonna let anything happen 289 00:13:32,880 --> 00:13:33,079 Speaker 2: to you. 290 00:13:33,480 --> 00:13:37,720 Speaker 1: Terrifying animals, So they've got a reputation for kicking and biting. Well, 291 00:13:37,760 --> 00:13:39,520 Speaker 1: so do horses, and so do horses. 292 00:13:39,760 --> 00:13:42,400 Speaker 3: Yeah, but if we learn to read a little bit 293 00:13:42,440 --> 00:13:45,680 Speaker 3: of their language and their body language, and sometimes I'll 294 00:13:45,679 --> 00:13:48,000 Speaker 3: give them a quick lesson. If there is got pinned back, 295 00:13:48,240 --> 00:13:50,120 Speaker 3: they're probably not at you, but it might be at 296 00:13:50,120 --> 00:13:53,400 Speaker 3: the donkey that's behind you. So that's where your awareness comes. 297 00:13:53,720 --> 00:13:56,720 Speaker 3: Just always looking looking around. So and I just really, 298 00:13:57,280 --> 00:14:00,280 Speaker 3: I mean, for me, it's been about just the joy 299 00:14:00,360 --> 00:14:03,880 Speaker 3: of watching people with donkeys and just sharing that that 300 00:14:04,200 --> 00:14:06,200 Speaker 3: I love because so many people, Oh my god, I 301 00:14:06,240 --> 00:14:07,480 Speaker 3: love donkeys. 302 00:14:07,200 --> 00:14:11,520 Speaker 1: It sounds almost like swimming with dolphins. This is like donkeys. 303 00:14:11,559 --> 00:14:12,880 Speaker 3: Well, I can tell you what today would have been 304 00:14:12,880 --> 00:14:13,760 Speaker 3: swimming with the donkeys. 305 00:14:14,040 --> 00:14:15,520 Speaker 1: Okay, all right, buddy up there. 306 00:14:16,320 --> 00:14:19,720 Speaker 3: Yeah, I'm not complaining, but I'm sure absolutely not complaining. 307 00:14:19,960 --> 00:14:22,240 Speaker 3: So yeah, so there's lots of things people can take 308 00:14:22,280 --> 00:14:25,880 Speaker 3: away as well. We've got one of one of the 309 00:14:25,920 --> 00:14:28,760 Speaker 3: little or one of the donkeys in that herd has 310 00:14:28,760 --> 00:14:32,160 Speaker 3: what I call sort of social anxiety. She she does 311 00:14:32,200 --> 00:14:36,000 Speaker 3: not want to be cuddled and hugged by everyone. She's 312 00:14:36,040 --> 00:14:39,320 Speaker 3: she's on the periphery all the time and then just 313 00:14:39,360 --> 00:14:42,840 Speaker 3: sometimes someone will connect with her and she will let 314 00:14:42,920 --> 00:14:44,840 Speaker 3: them hug. 315 00:14:44,600 --> 00:14:45,720 Speaker 2: Her or cuddle her. 316 00:14:46,120 --> 00:14:48,760 Speaker 3: And it was wonderful not long ago, because sometimes that's 317 00:14:48,800 --> 00:14:50,560 Speaker 3: how I introduce her. And this young girl looked at 318 00:14:50,560 --> 00:14:57,280 Speaker 3: me and I have dreadful social anxiety, and they totally 319 00:14:57,760 --> 00:15:00,880 Speaker 3: about that Bertie. It was Birdie. And by the Birdie 320 00:15:00,920 --> 00:15:03,160 Speaker 3: had her head in this girl's arms. 321 00:15:03,240 --> 00:15:04,480 Speaker 1: Oh wow, I just looked over. 322 00:15:04,600 --> 00:15:05,520 Speaker 2: I had tears in minds. 323 00:15:05,600 --> 00:15:09,000 Speaker 1: Oh beautiful. How about that? So dolphins and dolphins donkeys 324 00:15:09,040 --> 00:15:12,200 Speaker 1: can sometimes well presumably all the time read people. 325 00:15:12,360 --> 00:15:14,960 Speaker 3: Oh I suppose, yes, yes, yes, And that's the same 326 00:15:15,160 --> 00:15:18,080 Speaker 3: if you if you well, as I say, you know, 327 00:15:18,160 --> 00:15:20,960 Speaker 3: when I was feeding Gregory, I was in a hurry. 328 00:15:21,240 --> 00:15:21,840 Speaker 2: They don't like that. 329 00:15:21,960 --> 00:15:23,520 Speaker 1: I don't like hurry. 330 00:15:24,720 --> 00:15:27,200 Speaker 3: So yeah, so they teach us just as much, and 331 00:15:27,240 --> 00:15:30,280 Speaker 3: they teach you. In my case, it was like patients 332 00:15:30,320 --> 00:15:33,960 Speaker 3: slow down, you know. And it's just been such a 333 00:15:35,040 --> 00:15:38,320 Speaker 3: privilege to have these four little guys in my life. 334 00:15:38,360 --> 00:15:41,600 Speaker 3: It's just like, yeah, that's why I literally decided I 335 00:15:41,680 --> 00:15:42,440 Speaker 3: just want to share. 336 00:15:42,280 --> 00:15:44,560 Speaker 1: Them, okay, all right, and the way we go and it. 337 00:15:44,480 --> 00:15:48,920 Speaker 2: Helps with the hay feed well of course. It's like 338 00:15:49,120 --> 00:15:51,680 Speaker 2: you know, I call, you know, picking up the poo. 339 00:15:51,720 --> 00:15:54,040 Speaker 3: These days it's a bit like you know, recycled grass, 340 00:15:54,040 --> 00:15:56,200 Speaker 3: sprinkled with gold. 341 00:15:55,520 --> 00:15:59,400 Speaker 1: You run a similar program with the horses, I understand. 342 00:15:59,720 --> 00:16:02,680 Speaker 3: Yes, So I run a program called the Horse Wisdom Program, 343 00:16:03,360 --> 00:16:06,200 Speaker 3: which is an eight week program, and I do that specifically, 344 00:16:06,400 --> 00:16:10,120 Speaker 3: particularly one on one with children, especially children on the 345 00:16:10,120 --> 00:16:14,400 Speaker 3: spectrum on the spectrum. But yeah, but anyone who needs 346 00:16:14,800 --> 00:16:17,400 Speaker 3: just wants that time with horses as well. 347 00:16:17,560 --> 00:16:18,360 Speaker 2: Yeah, it can be. 348 00:16:18,520 --> 00:16:21,200 Speaker 3: And with our donkeys. Were actually branching into corporate work 349 00:16:21,240 --> 00:16:23,840 Speaker 3: as well. Really yes, wow, very exciting. 350 00:16:23,960 --> 00:16:26,960 Speaker 1: Yeah, so how would that work? You take the sales 351 00:16:26,960 --> 00:16:28,120 Speaker 1: team up there and what. 352 00:16:30,640 --> 00:16:33,000 Speaker 3: Yes, no, well, look, we have already had a group 353 00:16:33,080 --> 00:16:36,640 Speaker 3: of social workers who just needed some downtime from their 354 00:16:37,040 --> 00:16:40,520 Speaker 3: very stressful work. And the woman I work with who 355 00:16:41,120 --> 00:16:44,440 Speaker 3: is an art therapist, so we combined a day, we 356 00:16:44,520 --> 00:16:47,400 Speaker 3: made a day a program of art therapy. Combined with that, 357 00:16:47,520 --> 00:16:50,240 Speaker 3: Quine is still learning and with the donkeys, and yeah, 358 00:16:50,840 --> 00:16:51,400 Speaker 3: very special. 359 00:16:51,560 --> 00:16:53,840 Speaker 1: The photos and that's a good point. The photos on 360 00:16:53,840 --> 00:16:56,600 Speaker 1: your website with people with the crayons or whatever they are, 361 00:16:56,720 --> 00:16:59,800 Speaker 1: the box of texters. I don't know. So there is 362 00:17:00,880 --> 00:17:03,640 Speaker 1: an artistic bent to this to some degree creative? 363 00:17:03,960 --> 00:17:05,080 Speaker 2: Yeah, yeah, it can be. 364 00:17:05,240 --> 00:17:08,879 Speaker 3: Yes, So our corporate program will incorporate art therapy. 365 00:17:08,920 --> 00:17:12,360 Speaker 2: So that's your nurture in nature, right, we're just launching. 366 00:17:12,440 --> 00:17:15,200 Speaker 1: So yeah, what are you going to do next? More donkeys? 367 00:17:15,240 --> 00:17:15,800 Speaker 1: Is that the plan? 368 00:17:16,880 --> 00:17:17,920 Speaker 2: Don't don't belave that. 369 00:17:20,160 --> 00:17:23,000 Speaker 3: Look at once you get one. As you know, suddenly 370 00:17:23,000 --> 00:17:24,720 Speaker 3: it went to seven. I would love to if I 371 00:17:24,720 --> 00:17:25,320 Speaker 3: had more land. 372 00:17:26,200 --> 00:17:30,280 Speaker 2: But the thing is, as I said, they they craved 373 00:17:30,359 --> 00:17:33,960 Speaker 2: that attention. So I don't want too many. I do really, 374 00:17:33,960 --> 00:17:34,400 Speaker 2: but I don't. 375 00:17:34,560 --> 00:17:39,240 Speaker 1: Yeah, seven, and you can't spend all day hugging donkeys, 376 00:17:39,280 --> 00:17:41,199 Speaker 1: can you say? I mean you might want to? 377 00:17:43,040 --> 00:17:45,080 Speaker 2: Then my horses, Yeah, well that's right. 378 00:17:46,280 --> 00:17:47,320 Speaker 1: Are they all stars? 379 00:17:47,600 --> 00:17:51,439 Speaker 3: No, there's a mixed to there's a gypsy cob cross 380 00:17:51,520 --> 00:17:54,440 Speaker 3: Clydi and his mother she's a Clydie. Then there's a 381 00:17:54,480 --> 00:17:58,520 Speaker 3: couple of Welsh mountain ponies, Australian stock horse quarter horse. 382 00:17:58,600 --> 00:18:00,879 Speaker 1: Yeah, okay, does all of this stem out of a 383 00:18:00,920 --> 00:18:03,919 Speaker 1: love for animals? I mean you worked with the said, so, 384 00:18:04,200 --> 00:18:04,840 Speaker 1: yes I did. 385 00:18:04,880 --> 00:18:07,000 Speaker 2: I was there for ten years, many many years ago. 386 00:18:07,359 --> 00:18:09,560 Speaker 3: I have been in animal welfare my whole life, okay, 387 00:18:10,320 --> 00:18:12,439 Speaker 3: starting with I think my first stray dog when I 388 00:18:12,480 --> 00:18:15,399 Speaker 3: was eight years old, and so yeah, so I still 389 00:18:16,320 --> 00:18:20,720 Speaker 3: I've just rehome rescued rehomed animals my whole life, so 390 00:18:21,600 --> 00:18:24,320 Speaker 3: a lot of I particularly love working with working. 391 00:18:24,080 --> 00:18:26,800 Speaker 1: Dogs right as well border colleagues and the like. 392 00:18:27,000 --> 00:18:32,440 Speaker 3: Yeah, so yeah, whatever animals. Really I haven't done a 393 00:18:32,480 --> 00:18:36,040 Speaker 3: lot with native animals, mainly sort of horses. 394 00:18:37,400 --> 00:18:39,480 Speaker 1: A couple of goats as well. Oh really who also 395 00:18:39,520 --> 00:18:42,880 Speaker 1: run the place? Okay, they're a little bit more non compliant, 396 00:18:42,880 --> 00:18:48,000 Speaker 1: aren't they. Yeah? Fascinating, Sarah, A lovely meeting. You know, 397 00:18:48,000 --> 00:18:52,119 Speaker 1: if people want details about Donkey Discovery, where do they go? 398 00:18:53,600 --> 00:18:56,640 Speaker 3: You can just google Donkey Discovery handorff and it will 399 00:18:56,640 --> 00:19:02,080 Speaker 3: come up. My website is horsewhy dot com dot au okay, 400 00:19:02,160 --> 00:19:05,560 Speaker 3: and there's a Donkey Discovery page Horsewise okay, and. 401 00:19:05,560 --> 00:19:07,240 Speaker 1: Book through there if you want to come up and have. 402 00:19:07,119 --> 00:19:09,280 Speaker 3: A look booking form on there. Yep, they'll get all 403 00:19:09,280 --> 00:19:10,680 Speaker 3: the details and then I'll be in touch. 404 00:19:10,840 --> 00:19:13,320 Speaker 1: Excellent. Thank you so much for making the trip down 405 00:19:13,320 --> 00:19:18,320 Speaker 1: on a cold, wetnight tonight. Thank you. That's right, exactly, 406 00:19:18,400 --> 00:19:19,840 Speaker 1: good on you. Hope it goes well. 407 00:19:19,840 --> 00:19:22,000 Speaker 3: Thank you so much for the opportunity. I really appreciate 408 00:19:22,119 --> 00:19:23,400 Speaker 3: you spreading the word. 409 00:19:23,640 --> 00:19:27,760 Speaker 1: Absolutely lovely meeting you, Sarah Harris, my guest Donkey Discovery 410 00:19:27,960 --> 00:19:30,120 Speaker 1: Just google that Harmdorf, add that to it and it'll 411 00:19:30,160 --> 00:19:30,560 Speaker 1: pop up.