RE: [Philmont]: burros

Burros do like treats ... I may have heard a rumor that they
really like chewing tobacco, but as a scout I can neither
confirm nor deny that :)
 
On the other hand, remember that burros eat grass and
there's lots of that at Philmont. While they really like
apples, carrots, etc, if they decide it's time to stop,
standing still and eating grass is always preferable to the
extra 5 feet to get the carrot.
 
The number one way to get them to move, is to act like a
lead burro. When the lead burro stops, that's official
burro code for "grass looks good here ... time to eat". If
lots of people are standing behind the burro that's official
burro code for "you're the leader ... we'll wait until you
are ready". As much as a burro fights you, he does not want
to be left alone. If you take off without him, he won't
stay there long (of course he might decide to go back to
where the other burros were, so I wouldn't recommend that
method). Just remember that if your crew is always moving
forward, the burro will usually follow. If you crew is
usually behind the burro and stopping every 5 minutes, the
burro will do the same.
 
Also, not to start a fight, but I would take a burro over a
horse any day. They are a lot sturdier and less likely to
be injured or get sick. Their needs are prety minimal and
they won't overwork themselves or do anything to hurt
themselves. The "smarter" horses train much easier, but
most of them will do things to get themselves hurt if you
tell them to. The "dumb" burros know that you weigh far
less than them and that walking all day long and never
stopping to eat is not the best idea in the world. Burros
aren't dumb, but they aren't dogs. They aren't motivated by
purely by a desire to make you happy. You have to give them
a reason to feel like you are their new herd and that it
would be to their benefit to follow you. While many humans
think a $50 dinner is better than a $5 dinner, burros would
just assume save the walk and eat the "$5" grass than waste
the effort on the "$50" carrot. Honestly, I can't say I
blame them (but my philosophy on life is not the topic
here).
 
-John Wisinger
 
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-philmont@troop47.com
[mailto:owner-philmont@troop47.com] On Behalf Of Ronald D.
Hamlin
Sent: Friday, June 11, 2004 10:50 AM
To: Multiple recipients of list philmont
Subject: Re: [Philmont]: burros

For those of us scheduled to do the burros, is there any
advantage (or is it okay) to bring carrots or something that
might help "encourage" them? Thanks.
Ron Hamlin
Troop 326
Athens, GA
Philmont '04 624-K4

----- Original Message -----
From: Harry <mailto:hjfasch1@yahoo.com> Fasching
To: Multiple recipients of list philmont
<mailto:philmont@troop47.com>
Sent: Friday, June 11, 2004 9:04 AM
Subject: Re: [Philmont]: burros

I think the best thing is to look at burros as an
unforgettable experience rather than in terms of advantages
and disadvantages.
 
Many great stores come from the burro experience. I've never
forgotten my first experience in 82 and I doubt my son has
either.
 
Harry Fasching

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Received on Fri Jun 11 18:11:25 2004