Grass, whether in a pasture, field or lawn has been dormant all winter. In response to increased temperatures and more direct sun, high concentrates of sugar are produced by the root system to signal sudden growth. This sugar is carried from the roots of the grass to the stem. Grass becomes lush and green and brimming with sugar and simple carbohydrates. It is the equivalent of a rich pastry for us human beings.

Our donkey’s have been in mud, cold and gloom for months and we cannot find it in ourselves to keep them from “getting out”, “being in the warmth of the sun” and “doing what comes natural”. BUT, grass is NOT natural for donkeys and is detrimental to their health! As desert dwellers donkeys rarely have access to green grass in the wild. Their natural diet is high fiber woody materials and every inch of their anatomy is designed for this, including their gut and their feet.

The list of health ailments caused by grass consumption in donkeys are numerous, including insulin resistance, foot abscesses, colic, Cushing’s Disease, laminitis, metabolic disease and founder.

Remember SAFE GRASS takes work to find. Studies have proven mowing the donkey pasture down to nothing and feeding tested low sugar/protein hay helps. We created tracks for our donkeys and horses to exercise on and not eat too much spring or summer grass.