But why is cut grass bad for horses? It doesn’t seem to make sense, since they eat mostly the same grass on the other side of the fence and the hay we feed is just cut and dried grasses. But even though the grass may technically be the same variety, it’s not the same as a fresh mouthful in your pasture or hay that’s been properly cured. The issues:
Grass from your lawn may contain fertilizers or anti-weed (herbicide) or anti-insect (pesticide) chemicals that should not be consumed by horses.
Recently cut grass doesn’t dry uniformly, leaving wet clumps that can ferment and grow mold and mildew. Microbes introduced this way can cause colic in horses. Unlike lawn clippings, hay grass is tetted and sometimes re-tetted (spread out evenly in a thin layer) and dried/cured in the field before baling.
A mouthful of small cuttings may be quickly consumed by a horse. The small, wet clumps can compact and stick in a horse throat. Hay or fresh grass is chewed in manageable amounts.
The horse digestive system works best with consistent feeding. It adapts well but not quickly (as in day-to-day). Sudden shifts can lead to digestive problems and laminitis.
“Cows were huddled in, pressed up against each other in corners of pens and refused to move. Farmers couldn’t get them to move into milking barns. Herd instinct,” said Gerald Baron, executive director of Save Family Farming, a farm advocacy group. “Most cows died from injuries from each other and some from cold exposure. They went down and couldn’t get up.”
About 28 cows that were injured are likely to be euthanized, farmers said.
“Each cow could be worth $2,000, so we’re looking at $3.2 million plus future production loss, but right now the bigger impact is a huge emotional loss to farmers,” said Dan Wood, executive director of Washington State Dairy Federation.
Dairy farmers already are struggling to survive in extremely difficult market conditions, so the storm losses are like a double-whammy, he said.
“Farmers put up hay bales for wind barriers and tried to do what they could. Farmers were out there in zero degrees or less with wind chill, risking their lives to save cattle,” Wood said.
No farmers or workers were reported injured, he said.
Donkeys need their hooves to be trimmed just like a horse.
In the wild the donkey is walking up to 25 to 35 miles a day. On our farm the donkey is most likely not moving this much. A trimmer who is skilled in donkeys hooves is imperative to your domesticated donkeys health. It is best to keep your donkey(s) on a regular trimming schedule.
Never feed alfalfa, hay clippings or people foods, breads, cookies etc.,
Never leave your desert equine the donkey on grass or brush, trees all day. They will get sick and have health problems.
Fecal samples to test for parasites. No parasites no need to worm. Over worming has caused resistant free parasites in our donkey, mule and horse world. This is expensive to fix. Just like taking too many antibiotics in the human world over worming destroys the immune system and causes resistant free parasites.
A vet check for dental and health at least once a year.
Trimmer on a regular basis six weeks in the spring and summer and 7 in the fall and winter living in the Pacific Northwest.
GOD Bless You And Your Family Two And Four-Legged!
Last year we completed our home. Yeah!This year my goal is to complete our Video On Demand, E-Training series DONKEY 102. If you have not taken Donkey 101 we highly recommend you take this course as it is a prerequisite to Donkey 102. Select E-TRAINING DONKEY 101 VIDEO ON DEMAND.
Select OUR STORE to order your soft yacht rope halter, lead line, BRASS SCREW ON SNAP and Donkey 101. Our measurements will fit any mini or standard size donkey age 4 months to full-grown. All other equine require you to measure the head. We are now making custom fitting soft yacht rope halters with matching lead lines for all equine, donkey, mule and horses.
We provide the template and measurement tool after your order is placed. We ship for FREE in the U.S.A. and we ship worldwide. We just shipped a large order to Norway. We are now selling riding reins and Long Lead lines up to 22 feet with a brass screw on snap.
2018 HAY FOR SALE! SEQUIM, WA
For those of you who have been following my blog you know how much I love to garden. We are excited to share the Donkey Whisperer Farm, LLC is moving into full hay production. Just like last year if you come on the day we bale the hay is $8.00 per bale. Bring help as you pick off the field and load in your truck. If you wait until we pick up the hay and get under cover the cost is $10.00 per bale. This is nice local alfalfa, orchard mix hay, 2 strands 70 pound bales.
Why do donkeys need to live with another donkey? Donkeys diet is serious so its important the donkey is living in an environment set up for donkeys. Donkeys are emotional and bond deeply to their own species in many cases they bond for life. Donkeys bond deeply to another donkey and can become book ends. Donkeys play different than other animals, grab the neck, play tug with a toy, sleep together, eat, drink and play leap frog. Making a donkey live in isolation without another donkey is cruel as donkeys are highly intelligent and get bored quickly. Many donkeys stop eating and drinking when forced to live in isolation or become agitated easily due to the isolation and boredom. Can a donkey live with a horse. Yes and no. All animals want to live and can survive with most animals but here is the reason to think about not adding a donkey in with a horse. Donkeys cannot over eat it will slowly kill them, causing laminitis, white line, insulin resistance, fat pockets, and and finally death.
Do you ever find yourself thinking about donkeys? We have had donkeys in our life since 2007, it’s hard to remember life without a couple of horses and donkeys, they are indeed part of our family.
Why Donkeys? Perhaps GOD understood before I did the importance of donkeys in our life as our donkeys are part of our family now. I have always been a human that likes to learn, digs for information, steps out of the box to try new things and I am naturally creative. Thank you, Jesus! The human brain is indeed one of the most important organs GOD gave us.
Why are donkeys so special? Donkeys have a cross on their back, this is special.
Well, they are usually not always but usually more relaxed than the horse and well kinda like a black lab they just want to be loved on, they want to eat, they want to snuggle with their human. The donkey loves to play tug with their four-legged donkey buddy. Donkeys love to jump up and grab the neck of their donkey buddy. Donkeys are donkeys!
Donkeys never forget anything they must be treated with a fair and respectful plan. Never abuse your donkey. Rehabilitation of an abused donkey can takes years and some of these donkeys can become violent towards people they associate with the past abuse. Triggers are a smell, man or woman (former abuser), truck, sounds, hat, gloves, cigarette. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is real in animals just like people. Donkeys can see in color.
What Do Donkeys Need To Stay Healthy?
1. Clean water fresh water, diet, low sugar and low protein hay portion control is a must. Never feed donkeys alfalfa hay ever. Hay must be tested to come in no higher than 10% Sugar to keep the exotic desert equine healthy. Exercise is key.
2. Taming – Donkeys need their hooves picked out daily and their feet trimmed at least every 7 weeks
3. Donkeys need the vet to come and see them at least once a year
4. Donkeys need their teeth checked at least once a year
5. Donkeys need us, humans, to check for sores, lice, or a limp – Watch your donkey learn how they move so you can catch problems quickly
6. Donkeys need clean fresh water every day and in the winter warm water, Donkeys need to lose salt in a dry place. A salt lick will do but will not be as effective to prevent colic.
7. Donkeys need their human to be on time with meals – My donkeys hardly ever bray as they can depend on us to bring their meals, they do not need to remind us ever
8. It is a myth to believe all donkeys bray all day long they don’t bray unless they are calling out to a donkey or they are upset about meals or something else like a predator coming into their pasture. Jacks bray more. Very few jacks (stallion horse world) are worthy of reproduction. Owning a Jack is not for the beginner donkey owner or even the novice. Owning a Jack takes having people to help you manage your farm correctly it is not for the beginner.
9. Donkeys do not enjoy a bath, donkeys seem to not enjoy the water even on the warmest weather. Our donkeys get one bath a year and I hand wash their face just like my horse,never spray a donkey with a hose in the face
10. Donkeys ears can be broken and not stand up so be careful when touching them
11. Donkeys can grow lot’s of thick donkey fur for the winter
Rio our Mammoth donkey age 9 months with my hubby Scott.
12. Donkeys are looking for a great human leader who will take the time it takes, donkeys are visual learners
13. Donkeys can hear things way sooner than the horse
14. Pick up the poop every day and compost. Do not drag across your pasture until the poop has composted and killed parasites for at least one year.
15. Last but final tip about donkeys; never ever drill a donkey, less is more and remember Donkeys never forget anything – Be careful what and how you train your donkey 🙂 SELECT E-TRAINING DONKEY 101 VIDEO ON DEMAND.
GOD bless you and your family two and four-legged!
Deuteronomy 3:22 ESV You shall not fear them, for it is the Lord your God who fights for you.’ Deuteronomy 28:7 ESV “The Lord will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before you. They shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways. Joshua 10:25 ESV And […]
Each day take a moment to acknowledge all the beauty around you and give thanks for all the glorious species of animals we are so fortunate to share this planet with.
Apple Season has arrived! As great as they may be for humans this is not great for the domesticated Donkey, Mule or Horse. In fact this may cause DEATH from Colic and/or a huge amount of stress, tears, vet cost or even burying the beloved equine (Donkey, horse or mule).
Never feed grass clippings or bread to your horse, donkey or mule. PLEASE NEVER FEED ANOTHER ANY ANIMAL THAT IS NOT YOUR ANIMAL. Some animals have a form of insulin resistance, most must have a slow change of diet or they can founder, hoof rots out abscess or colic or worse die.
You must be logged in to post a comment.