Donkeys are considered an exotic equine. Donkeys evolved from the desert, one of their gifts is the ability to survive and thrive on low sugar and protein forage. No oats, vitamins, sweet feed, alfalfa, grazing twenty four-seven is needed. When donkeys are fed the wrong foods or left to eat twenty-four seven the hooves rot off, hoof abscesses, laminitis, fat in the blood, fat necks and fat pockets, obesity and life threatening illness is next. Sadly the donkey endures a slow painful death. The cost for medical care in many cases is more than a mortgage payment.

Maggot Therapy

Wondering what this is Select Maggot Therapy to read how to help restore the hoof. Next learn everything you can about how to provide the diet and environment with the best holistic care you can.

Living Will For All Your Animals

Most family members do not have family who want to take care of their animals. So do the right thing plan ahead for your beloved animals create a trust for your animals.

Colic

Every month I am hearing about another donkey, mule or horse dying from colic. Please do not just throw the hay over the fence and fill a bathtub with water. Weather changes from warm to extreme cold can trigger colic. Learn how to keep your domesticated equine in optimum health. God created all equine to walk fifteen to twenty-five miles a day, sadly most do not walk more than one hundred steps a day. The domesticated equine stands around in a stall, round pen or a very small pasture not getting any exercise, sadly seldom clean water. Most colic is preventable in domestication the key is taking the time to educate yourself on how to prevent colic.

Prevention is the best medicine for our beloved domesticated equine

1. Diet

2. Clean Water

3. Exercise

4. Emotional rehabilitation for the equine has no date or time just like us humans after severe abuse and neglect animals can get Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. 

6. Shelter, blankets, medicine

7. Vet check for health, teeth, chiropractic, acupuncture.  I highly suggest picking up the poop daily, composting and doing fecal samples before worming. This way you will not have parasites resistant tor wormer. 

8. Hoof care every six weeks in the summer and seven in the winter.

Is it possible to rescue and rehabilitate equine?

Yes, but please learn all the facts before attempting to rescue and rehabilitate any equine. So many people think they can rescue with just love and time. Not true, do your homework and understand this road will be a long process consuming money and emotional resources as veterinary care is very expensive. Just like us humans we have no idea how long it will take the equine to get rehabilitated and in some cases no matter what we do we can never get their minds, and bodies back 100%. Abuse of the diet and emotional care is the worst to restore as just like us humans who suffer from Post Traumatic Stress so does the equine. Rehabilitation of the abused, neglected equine is no easy matter as the expense is high for the human financially, physically and emotionally. The good news if you will learn what is needed to keep your equine (donkey, horse or mule) healthy you can not only bring the domesticated equine into health again you can save a life.

I train the owner or caretaker ho to train and care for the donkey. 

GOD bless you and your family two and four-legged!

Melody Johnson

Donkey Whisperer Farm ®