Donkeys, horses, and mules must sleep to strengthen their immune systems. Deep sleeping creates rapid eye movement (REM), a deep dream state.
How can we ensure our equine are getting REM sleep?
Ensure your donkey has another donkey to feel safe and that your shelter is big enough for the entire herd to get in and lie down. Donkeys can fear the shelter. Add clean water, lose-free salt with minerals, and tested low-sugar/protein hay (10% or lower in sugar and protein) inside the shelter.
How much REM sleep does an equine need?
All equines need at least twenty-five minutes of Deep REM Sleep per day. When equines are comfortable living in a safe environment, meaning no predators are coming in, they usually feel safe enough to lie down to sleep more.
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This was interesting. I didn’t know this about donkeys.
Yes, all equine need to get a little REM sleep. 🙂
❤️