Speaker bio page for Chris Garrett

Bio

An impulse call to a horse welfare charity got Chris started in overseas training in 2000, seven years with them led to an opportunity to join The Donkey Sanctuary in 2007. Chris has been attached to the Donkey Sanctuary since that time and is currently Lead harness for the Research and Operational Support Team at Donkey Sanctuary. Chris started to construct ‘modules’ on harness making and related topics in 2014, and over the last few years that has taken precedence, with the ultimate goal of being able to offer a package to suit the needs of working donkeys, available for download from The Donkey Sanctuary website.

With internet access so widespread this is seen as the new face of training, it can also be backed up by a visit and hands on training for groups as requested. Other work underway at present is the first scientific trialling of collars specifically for donkeys, based in Spain and Portugal. Chris’s specific interest in these trials is to identify a simple to construct and maintain collar, to replace the usual breast collar used in many countries where full neck collar production is not possible. In addition to the scientific trials being run Chris also makes experimental collars and works with them using the New Zealand Ponui donkeys at a rare breeds farm in Taranaki.