Partner and I went out to visit our donkey friends that we train every week for an extra visit and decided to take them on a little walk. The horse herd is up in the paddocks right now so their winter, riparian pasture is empty. The donkeys haven't been down there in years, and maybe never? Partner couldn't remember - in any case, if they have ever been down there, it's been more than six years since then.
They were both nervous, but really curious and calm. They did so well walking with us and were relaxed enough to take treats as reinforcements for the behaviors we asked for that we turned them loose to explore.
They went around through the trees and soon came to check back in, with that same cautious, careful interest they had while investigating their new environment.
We took them to the river-side of the pasture and let them notice the running water. They were fascinated - it is possibly the first time they have ever seen a river. They did so well with that, that we put on their lead ropes and took them out of the pasture, down into the river bottom.
They were so cute and sweet! Neither of them wanted to walk very near to the river so we didn't ask them to - this was already a big day with lots of new experiences!
They both stared at the river for a long time, occasionally asking for reassurances with gentle, whiskery boops from their soft little noses.
Just look at these sweethearts! It's so rewarding for our years of training them to have resulted in being able to take the donkeys on off-lead adventures in new environments and have them come when called, initiate check-ins, and rely on us for comfort when they are feeling overwhelmed.