How to Introduce Wild Burros to Mustangs

Mustangs originated from Iberian horse stock brought by Spanish explorers to the Americas more than 400 years ago. Over generations, a number of these Iberian horses escaped or were stolen and established wild herds. Mustangs and wild burros, which are small donkeys, are social animals and should know how to read the posture of dominant animals and when to back down or move out of danger, when placed together, but correct introductions are still important.

Things You'll Need

  • Large paddocks
  • Multiple feed stations
  • Emergency number for the veterinarian
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Instructions

    • 1

      Quarantine your burros before introducing them to the mustang herd. The burros may be carrying parasites, particularly internal ones that will be transmitted to the mustang herd.

    • 2

      Place the burros into a paddock near the mustangs so the animals can become accustomed to each other prior to the introduction.

    • 3

      Always introduce the animals during daylight hours.

    • 4

      Phone your veterinarian to ask him to be on standby in the event that either a burro or mustang is injured in a battle over dominance. If a burro was dominant in a previous herd, he may compete for dominance with the lead mustang and if neither back down, one or both animals can be seriously injured.

    • 5

      Ensure that both your burros and mustangs are healthy and strong before attempting an introduction. Burros that are recovering from an injury may not be able to defend themselves and can be seriously hurt in a fight over dominance with an adult mustang stallion.

    • 6

      Only introduce young burros to your mustang herd once the burros are physically large enough to defend themselves against adult mustangs.

    • 7

      Hang feed nets as far away from each as possible to prevent unnecessary fighting. Do not hang feed nets in positions that will cause either the burros or mustangs to become cornered while feeding. This may invite unnecessary aggression and interfere with the acceptance process.

    • 8

      Position a number of hands around the paddock to intervene should it be required.

    • 9

      Exercise the mustangs and burros prior to the introduction as an alternative to feeding, if the animals are accustomed to being worked by people. Have the ranch hands bring the animals into a lunge ring and keep them moving at a good pace. Heavy exercise will tire the animals and take the edge off their aggression.

    • 10

      Monitor the burros and mustangs closely for at least a week after the introduction.