By Ashley Best, M.S.
Like every other crazy horse person, I’m obsessed with all things equine. So naturally, I’ve decided to add yet another discipline to my already packed schedule — because why not? This time, I’ve set my sights on something a little different: teaching my donkey to drive. Yes, drive. As in harness, cart, reins, and all. And if you know anything about donkeys, you know this is not a journey for the impatient or the faint of heart.
Meet Monzar
Monzar came into my life in 2015. He was a wild, two-year-old jack, untouched and unimpressed by humans. We had to run him straight off the trailer into a pasture. (There’s still a dent in my wire fence to prove it, courtesy of his first panicked crash after being herded into a smaller lot.)
Earning Monzar’s trust took six solid months of sitting in his pen on an upside-down bucket, doing absolutely nothing. No pressure. No agenda. Just letting him get used to me being there. And slowly, he did. I learned quickly that you can’t make a donkey do anything. You have to ask and even then, only if they’re in the mood to say yes. He learns differently than any horse I’ve worked with. He internalizes everything, and his sense of self-preservation is finely tuned. Patience became my superpower.
Eventually, he let me halter him. Then I brushed him. And then… he disappeared for three days, holding a grudge about the brushing. That’s Monzar for you.
Over the years, he’s transformed from that wild jack into a confident donkey and my loyal partner. He’s been trailered all over the place for demo events and educational programs. He’s even walked through the hallways of a local high school during an FFA meeting without blinking an eye. That moment made me realize just how much he trusts me and how brave he’s become.
A New Direction—With Wheels
This latest adventure started unexpectedly. During a casual conversation with our summer intern, I ended up borrowing her pony cart and harness set. I had never seriously considered driving him, but suddenly it felt like the perfect challenge and a natural next step for Monzar.
Of course, the cart needed some TLC. I’ve been learning all the cart anatomy I never knew I needed; like what a singletree is and how to tell if your shafts are the right length. (Spoiler: mine aren’t.) Right now, I’m deciding between custom metal shafts or replacing them with wooden ones. Who knew there were so many options?
The 4-H Driving Manual from the Pacific Northwest Extension team has become my nightly reading. It’s been an incredibly helpful guide to the basics of driving, harness parts, rein cues, and safety.
Prepping the Harness & First Drive
Before doing anything, I cleaned and oiled the harness thoroughly. I checked for dry rot, frayed stitching, and missing buckles. The overcheck strap was too short for Monzar’s head, so I removed it altogether. Once the harness was fitted and safe, we were ready.
This wasn’t Monzar’s first time ground driving. When I was breaking him to a saddle years ago, I introduced the concept then. He’s also carried my toddler confidently around the pasture so I knew he had a calm, steady mind.
But still, I was blown away by how relaxed he was that first day in harness. He didn’t miss a beat. He was curious, mouthy with the bit (still working on that), but completely game to try. We ground drove all over the pasture like he’d done it a hundred times.
Where We’re Headed
This weekend, I’m planning to take Monzar to the GQHA Show at the Georgia International Horse Park, not to compete, just to get some exposure. I want him to see the sights, hear the chaos, and walk around in harness at a slow pace. I believe in taking it slow and giving him space to think. That’s always worked best with him.
This whole experience has reignited that beginner fire in me: the mix of nerves, joy, curiosity, and pride. I’m not sure where this driving journey will take us yet, but I do know this: it’s going to be fun, a little frustrating, and probably hilarious.
Stay Tuned
I’ll be sharing updates along the way, from cart modifications to training breakthroughs (and setbacks). If you’ve ever thought about teaching a donkey to drive—or you just enjoy a good animal story—I hope you’ll follow along.
Let’s see just how “driving my donkey crazy” this really gets.