Horse whisperer coaxes lonesome hinny home

That lovesick hinny named Jenny who has eluded authorities, refused bribes, attracted reporters and been tranquilized twice wound up captured Wednesday after running away from a Pittsfield corral about a month ago.

Jenny finally allowed a close encounter with humans about 9:30 a.m. Wednesday when horse whisperer Karina Lewis of Benton led her into a temporary enclosure at Mary’s Garden, a flower and small-animal farm.

After consoling Jenny periodically for 10 days in the snowy woods, Lewis said Wednesday she was able to build a bond with the hinny, the offspring of a female donkey and a stallion, and the capture was made without injury.

“I spent a lot of time and built a rapport with her,” Lewis said. “This morning we saw that all come together.”

Jenny fled the farm Jan. 18, a couple of weeks after Joe Varricchio and Mary Gaeta bought her.

According to Lewis, Jenny roamed the 30 acres behind the farm and occasionally came back to a spot behind the barn on several mornings, but was always aware of a human’s presence. A male donkey was brought in in an attempt to coax Jenny out of the woods.

Jenny frequently stayed in a section of woods that provided shelter from harsh weather.

“She basically set up camp in the woods and was really protected from the elements,” Lewis said. “Due to their ability to adapt and survive, she picked a really good spot. They’re very good foragers of nature.”

Some humans suspect Jenny was depressed after being separated from her sister at an auction.

Jenny’s companion is believed to be living in New Hampshire.

Lewis said Wednesday that hinnies are territorial animals that need a close bond.

“We were very careful that she knew the environment around her was safe,” Lewis said. “There had been a lot of people chasing her.”

Varricchio said Jenny is still apprehensive about her surroundings and keeps trying to escape the temporary enclosure.

“She’s still trying to get out,” he said.

Varricchio plans to build up the walls in his 70-foot by 100-foot corral. Wooden pallets, snow and fencing made up the walls that Jenny so easily escaped.

Lewis said Jenny displayed agility and speed while on the lam.

And the yellow hinny is a rare breed.

“This is the closest thing to a domesticated zebra,” she said.