• Provide shade with fans located up high in the shelter.

Provide cool, fresh water several times a day.

A veterinarian should do dental work once a year.

Worm twice a year, in spring and fall. Provide your vet with a fecal sample and worm after the fecal count proves parasites. Tapeworms do not show up in the fecal sample. Worm with ivermectin after the first frost in the fall.

• Lose salt and drink clean, cool water (change the water several times a day) to prevent heat stress and colic.

• Use the Hay Pillow 1 1/4 holes, which works best to slow down hay consumption, stop wasted hay, and prevent colic from fecal impactation.

• Never work any equine in extreme heat. Avoid surgeries or sedation during extreme heat.

• Clip a donkey, horse, or mule if medically needed.

Signs of heat stress in a donkey, horse, or mule:

• Lethargic

Hot skin to the touch

• Rapid breathing with flared nostrils

• Laying down won’t get up

• “Glassy” eyes

• Staggering or weak gait

• High core body temperature. The rectal temperature is the last to increase, so the internal temperatures of the muscles will be even higher.

For more mild cases:

Call the vet

• Bathe the donkey, horse, or mule in cool water and repeat as necessary. Allow to air dry. Do not scrape; keep in the shade under the fan.

*Check the body temperature using a rectal thermometer normal is 99 to 101.

•For more severe cases:

Call the vet.

• Hose the donkey, mule, or horse using cold water for at least 5 minutes. If using a bucket, apply cold water every minute (a person on each side) for at least 5 minutes. After this time, the rectal temperature should be near normal, but check to make sure. Allow to air dry; do not scrape. Put back into a shaded space.

Veterinarians may need to sedate and add intravenous fluids to save a life.

For both situations:

• Once your equine is more comfortable, you can walk again and move to a shaded area.

• Check the body temperature using a rectal thermometer.

• Give cool, clean water. Equines that refuse to drink may require intravenous fluid therapy. Discuss this with your veterinarian.

• Bathing may need to be repeated as core temperatures can sometimes increase again as heat stored in muscle is released.

• Monitor your donkey, mule, or horse carefully. Do not leave their side until the vet says you can ensure they eat and drink normally. During the next 24 hours, look for normal urine and manure in both appearance and amount. Please consult with your veterinarian for guidance, as heat colic can be a life-threatening issue for all equine.

Melody Johnson,

Donkey Racing and Play in Paradise Paddock Track

Donkeys evolved from the desert; donkeys gain weight quickly without a strict diet. All equines need to run, play, and move to stay physically, emotionally, and mentally healthy. Most people have a dry lot for the easy keeper. We have learned this does not work, as the equines stand staring at the house, waiting for the next meal. We have four tracks on the Donkey Whisperer Farm ®, making it easy to rotate our six donkeys and two horses. The middle of the track is used for grazing for a limited time.

Learn how to keep the desert equine the donkey healthy while living in the green part of the world. Watch our donkeys racing and playing on one of our four Paradise Paddock Track. Read our blog post, Donkey Diet Consider A Donkey Track. Order adjustable donkey halters with matching leads, E-Training, and more in our Donkey Whisperer Farm ® store.

Donkey Whisperer Farm ®