Donkeys In The Winter, Learn the truth, not the myth about donkeys!
A blanket is like a fire extinguisher; we must be prepared in an emergency. A donkey shaking or blowing diarrhea needs a dry, warm blanket. Remove and change the blanket with a dry blanket as needed. Blankets must be checked daily for dampness and rubbing. No blanket is 100% waterproof. When you wash a blanket, you must add waterproofing back into it.
Donkeys’ thick fur is not waterproof. Donkeys tolerate cold weather much worse than horses, and older donkeys are even more sensitive to weather shifts. Donkeys die from freezing to death. Donkeys need shelter to keep the donkey’s ears and body warm. Provide clean, warm water daily, salt, and tested low sugar/protein hay for your desert equine. Frostbite is also more common in donkeys and mules as they have long ears. Foals born in subzero temperatures or windy, cold conditions may have problems with frozen ears and occasionally frozen feet or tails.
Keep two blankets for each donkey:
Change blankets as soon as they become wet, and never put a damp blanket on a donkey. Brush the fur before placing the blanket on the donkey. Give your donkey at least fifteen minutes without the blanket a few times a week. Remove ice from walkways.
Please use common sense. If your donkey is shivering, not moving, and shaking, get a warm blanket on as soon as possible.
Remember to train your donkey to wear a blanket when the weather is nice. Why? It’s no fun to get a blanket of donkeys in fear of a blanket during freezing weather or an emergency. Go to our store to order Donkey 101 & 102 Video On Demand and Donkey Adjustable soft yacht rope halter with matching lead lines.
GOD bless you and your family, two and four-legged!
Melody Johnson, Trainer/Owner