Please understand that donkeys evolved from the desert. Their fur coats are not waterproof; wet, freezing temperatures can trigger hypothermia. “A dry blanket is like a fire extinguisher. We have it ready to put on the donkey, mule, or horse and hope we do not need to use it.” Melody Johnson, Donkey Whisperer Farm ®. Please get two blankets for each equine, as no blanket is 100% waterproof for the entire winter. Order donkey, mule, and horse blankets from the Donkey Whisperer Farm ® store.

This article was written by Tabea Brock, one of the administrators of a FB group I created named On Donkey Time ®

I’m writing this post to share our story because I see a lot of questions and confusion about donkeys in colder climates, especially regarding whether or not they should be blanketed. Donkeys aren’t naturally built for cold weather like some other animals, and they have thinner coats and don’t grow a thick undercoat, so they lose heat more quickly. Their skin is also quite sensitive, so wet snow or rain can leave them cold and uncomfortable. Since they burn more energy trying to stay warm, they need extra forage in winter to keep up(I double bag their hay, so i don’t increase the amount, but make sure there is hay ongoing ). On top of that, they tend to be less active in bad weather, so they don’t generate as much body heat on their own. Their desert roots make them need a bit of extra help to feel cozy in the cold

Tiptoe’s story began as a tale of hope and love when he was adopted by Erin as a baby donkey to take on the job as a seeing eye donkey . But in December , when he was just 14 months old, a brutal cold snap here in MN changed everything.

On one of those bone-chilling days with temperatures plunging to negative 15 degrees, Tiptoe suffered a hypothermic episode. I saw him only 25 min prior eating and drinking warm water, wrapped in 2 blankets. He was found collapsed, half-frozen to the ground, his tiny body unresponsive. Desperately, the barn manager put him on a sled and dragged him into the heated barn. I got in my car in a panic. We had heaters going, blankets on him, sandwiching and blowdrying his tiny lifeless body, waiting for the vet. For excruciating hours, Tiptoe showed little signs of life, and it felt like hope was slipping away.

Then, miraculously, he found the strength to stand up without us holding his full weight . Against all odds, Tippy came back to us. For a moment, it felt like the worst was over, but the challenges were only beginning. Over the following days, Tiptoe developed a fever, lameness, and increasing signs of distress. Despite his discomfort, his brave little spirit pushed through as he continued to eat and drink.

But his condition worsened. His hind coffin bones began to rotate, and his hooves started the painful sloughing process. While the left hind stabilized, the right hind continued to deteriorate. Determined to give him the best chance at recovery, his mom hauled him to the University of MN.

For weeks, it was touch and go. Tiptoe showed moments of improvement, but he was clearly in so much pain, and a venogram showed no circulation that the hospital eventually gave us two heartbreaking options. Euthanasia or amputating his right hind limb. Neither felt like the right answer for Tiptoe’s fighting spirit. Although his mom had hours of conversations with the professionals, that would have done it . So we decided to take him home and believe in higher powers that our plan would work. We were lucky we found the farrier that would take on a case like that, as we did hear about releasing the hoof wall in these cases. Having encountered similar problems involving ergot or fescue toxicity, he believed there was another path forward. Esco made the long way from NY to save this little donkey that was so precious to so many.

On January 30, 2023, he arrived early in the morning, and our team of vets and farriers were present.

The hoof was in bad condition, with infection trapped beneath the detached wall.

Amazingly, despite undergoing such an invasive procedure, Tiptoe immediately seemed more comfortable. His resilience in the face of unimaginable challenges was nothing short of inspiring. Still, we knew the road ahead would be long and uncertain.

After months of wrapping and watching the hoof fill in , a piece of coffin bone showed up in the wrap (I was glad I was warned this could happen and is not uncommon, which still seems crazy to me) . After seven months of stall rest, he was a healthy, feisty young donkey with a fully regrown hoof and a lot of spring in his step. His journey defies the odds, but we felt a lot of guilt about this. He will never be able to go outside in temps under 30 or get turned out in muddy conditions.

His story has traveled far and wide, earning him the nickname “miracle donkey.” He is visiting many residences to spread the love.

I’ve learned firsthand from years of caring for donkeys in harsh winter conditions. My two live outside, and while I don’t have the luxury of electricity in their shelter, I’ve found ways to keep them comfortable. Providing blankets, neck covers if necessary, and very warm water several times a day, what I call their “tea time,” has been a game-changer, and I firmly believe it helped them through some tough winters.

This is not to scare anyone but to share what can happen.

Keep your donkeys warm

Donkey Whisperer Farm ®