Did you know donkeys are exotic equine and evolved from the desert? One of the donkeys’ gifts is the ability to survive in the desert.
Donkeys’ metabolism helps them survive and thrive on low-sugar and protein forage; wild horses cannot survive where a wild donkey can thrive.
Donkeys gain weight really fast. The first thing most people do to help obese donkeys is lock them inside a dry paddock. The second is a grazing muzzle. Grazing muzzles seldom fit a donkey, and the donkey hates them. The dry paddock creates depression, and the donkey stands and lies daily, waiting for the next meal.
Create a paradise paddock for your easy keeper, the donkey. Our donkeys and horses are constantly walking and running on their track. Look at our YouTube videos on our channel, Donkey Whisperer. Most importantly, always give your donkey another donkey to live with. Size and sex matter; keep geldings with geldings and jennies (female) with the girls. Donkeys grab the neck in play and in battle, and can seriously hurt another donkey. Add toys, a jolly ball, orange traffic cones, or a rubber grain bowl.
Meals should be tested low sugar/protein hay 10% or lower in sugar and protein, with portion control. We use the Hay Pillow for all of our donkeys and horses. Be careful with straw, as even straw can be high in sugar. Straw has no nutritional value; it is only given to healthy donkeys with regular dental care as a boredom buster. Clean water is a must, and it is warm in the winter. Give lose-free salt with minerals. No oats, sweet feed, bread, or free grazing on brush and grass.
Thank you for investing in your donkey,
Melody Johnson
