Read White Line Disease: What Is It? How Do I Control it?
Please understand that donkey hooves and bodies are way different from a horse. Donkeys metabolize drugs and foods differently. Donkeys evolved to live in the dry, rocky desert. Donkeys that live in wet, muddy, green, lush pastures or eat with cows, sheep, etc., will sadly live a grim life. First, obesity (fat neck, fat pockets, rings on the hooves), the hoof will start to rot off, hoof abscesses, insulin resistance, laminitis, white line disease, and cushings. Keeping the diet healthy and testing hay before purchasing for the year is vital to maintaining healthy donkeys. Hay should test 10% or lower in sugar, protein, portion control, and exercise.
How Can I Create A Healthy Farm For My Donkeys?
Provide shelter, deal with the mud, pick up the poop and urine daily. Meals should be eaten thrice daily using a slow feeder (three times) during the freezing winter. Warm, clean water during freezing temperatures and loses free salt with minerals. No vitamins, sweet feed, oats, or alfalfa is needed. Adding weight or removing weight should be done slowly.
Create a hot wire track for your donkeys to run and play on. Prevent obesity by preventing overeating and grazing on pasture or brush and leaves. A great book is Paddock Paradise by Jaimie Jackson.
