Donkeys are the exotic desert equine. Donkeys evolved from the desert their metabolism is built to survive on desert forage sticks, sage brush, roots never green rich grass. Please do your homework before committing to bring two donkeys into your life. Yes, donkeys will always do best when getting to live with another donkey same sex geldings with geldings and jennies with jennies. Read The Clinical Companion Of The Donkey Book.
Spring Donkey Care
Donkeys evolved from the desert one of their gifts is the ability to survive and thrive on low sugar and protein forage that grows in the desert. Spring showers makes mud, green high sugar weeds and grass. Yes, weeds and fescue grass are extremely high in sugar. Create a dry paddock connected to a paddock paradise track for exercise not over eating or eating the wrong foods.
Feed your donkeys tested low sugar and protein hay two meals a day during spring and summer in a slow feeder we use the Hay Pillow locked inside of the high country plastic slow feeder.
Schedule Veterinarian Appointment: Five way shots, dental and gum check up and fecal samples before worming.
Testing hay: How do I test my hay before purchasing enough for year? Send a sample off to Equi-Analytical Lab. The goal for the desert equine is 10% or lower in sugar and protein. Learn how to read hay analysis report.
Provide lose salt with minerals never sweet feed, oats, or vitamins. Donkeys metabolism is nothing like a horse giving extra will causes obesity and serious health issues.
Donkeys that stand in mud and feces will have hoof problems, hoof abscesses, white line prevent these issues by creating a dry paddock. Pick out the hooves at least three times a week to check for thrush. Farrier trimming should be at a minimum of seven weeks.
Donkeys do not shed out like a horse. Donkeys hold onto their thick fur coats for a long time, living in the PNW, our donkeys are shed out by the end of July and start growing their fur coat the end of August. I highly recommend never body clipping your donkey as the fur prevents sunburn and insects making the donkey bleed. Provide shelter with fans up high pointed down. If your donkey has a vet ordered health issue such as cushings and you live where it is in the 100’s you can body clip. Please understand body clipping creates more work for you as you need to provide fly sheets and blankets when the weather drops.
Melody Johnson
