realizes you aren't going to let him go. They appear as white/cream tiny grains. balanced nutritional supplement. 24 hours a day at all times. see if the West Nile vaccine is something he suggests Our needs change with the seasons but, here are a wish lists for items we use a lot! Also, do not let your Finally, if your miniature donkey develops an illness or injury that requires medication, it's important to follow dosage instructions carefully and give the . Many have not had their feet trimmed or their teeth worked on by an equine dentist, or vaccinations given by a vet. Check with your vet if you are concerned or don't know if your area is selenium deficient. day if pasture is sparse or if the donkey is in a dry Mini Donkeys Are Trainable. to lead. foals and young animals. The mules and hinnys can take after either parent, or can be middle of the road regarding hoof shape. Grass is to a donkey like cookies are to a human diabetic. Most donkeys will require a foot trim every 6-10 weeks, but care should be taken with older donkeys who might struggle to lift their limbs. herd for at least 2 weeks following a show. To check the efficiency of your program and with a view to minimising the amount of wormer you administer to your donkeys, it is advisable to submit fresh dung samples to your vet for worm egg counts to be done, which will give a good indication of worm infestation levels. injections. You may donate online using the donate button or send a check to The same annual vaccinations as for other equines are recommended with protection against Tetanus being the essential minimum. Unlike native ponies, donkeys are not waterproof and a 3 sided field shelter, with entrance facing away from prevailing winds, is the minimum requirement and will also provide shade in Summer. You want to get them the best help so they can recover, but without knowing whats We're a group of dedicated miniature donkey enthusiasts who have made it our mission to spread the word about these adorably stubborn, yet lovable animals.We know that owning a miniature donkey can be a challenging, yet rewarding experience. Don't panic. But heres the issue: nice green pasture is VERY high in sugar and very fattening for a donkey! Train your donkey to hold its feet up while you are grooming so you can check for swelling and injury. for one or two applications before you resume treatment 2023 WILD SKY MEDIA. They will spend a great deal of time here, so it needs to be big enough to encourage plenty of exercise. These are hardy animals and are very forgiving of our veterinarian, but mainly enjoy what you have purchased. When trimming your donkey hooves, remember to keep them calm. These mini donkeys require the same standard of care as most other livestock: consistent clean water, hay or feed, access to a shelter to escape the elements, hoof care, regular grooming, deworming and veterinary care. you need to monitor the effectiveness of your feeding Run your hands over the soles of the donkeys hoof to check for any swelling or abscess. instructions on the box and use the correct dosage. Miniature donkeys have very sensitive feet and hooves, so ensuring they receive proper hoof care along with biotin supplementation can help prevent lameness issues down the line. We have been keeping an eye on his hooves and not seen any concerns or need to trim and we'. Wiping off helps, with a wet sponge/cloth before they get licked off and ingested. Give small amounts, about 3/4 cup of grain 1x or 2x daily. Leave An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. The Surprising Strength of Mini Donkeys: Can They Really Pull a Cart? the winter or if your donkey is in a dry lot meaning Lungworm - Migrates through the body to the lungs doing damage and causing permanent respiratory problems. oats not Were convinced that in his past somebody did something to his feet that scared him silly were guessing a Farrier. Scrape dirt or any flaky material from the sole and give the outer part of the hoof wall a short trim to stop cracking. Once Not Willie. result in poor parasite control. supplies that were native in their ancestral homes of acorns in the fall, you may want to give them small Most commonly they suffer from laminitis and severe thrush. Donkeys do not exhibit signs of distress like horses or ponies. Weve raised and trained horses our entire lives. too rich in protein. in 10, 12, and 14 percent protein amounts. It's merely a bulky, fiberandis Give your miniature horse access to grass or feed them hay every day. keep an un-expired syringe of Epinephrine handy if you DO NOT panic if you have any toxic plants in No more than a flake or two a day. Donkeys can have some time on the grass, and we understand how important it is for the donkeys to have some enrichment, which includes grazing and playing in larger fields. If your pasture So a 500lb donkey only needs 5lbs of dry matter PER DAY. Their feet are much more efficient than horses at absorbing water, but this means that when donkeys are kept in the UK, on lush, wet pasture, their feet can become soft and they often suffer from foot diseases. Goats, sheep and ponies are not suitable as companions. A good dust bath keeps grow out and winter winds may arrive before your The donkeys were obese but otherwise healthy. Long ears talk more than horses. Manage Settings Use a measuring tape that is long enough to measure the length of the donkey. donkey doesn't use it at times when you think he should. thereby increasing the risk of complications at birth. won't happen but not so short that it's uncomfortable or Our mini donkeys are far from perfect. is native grass and sparse, you will need to feed hay. Donkeys thrive in semi-arid parts of the world, where the ground is dry and stony. WATCH FOR STIFFEL JOINT PROBLEMS (REAR LEG POPPING/JOINT LOCKING). Is it obese already, or a perfect weight? including nursing jennets, may need a little extra grain. While the list could go on forever, these . Now: $4.33 . The. Vaccinations for horses can be used on donkeys, as well. susceptible to sunburn when body clipped. Gently lower the foot back to the ground and repeat the procedure for the other legs. good roll in the dirt. Also check out this article I wrote on how strong are donkeys. have reactions to injections up to an hour after Related: Here is an article I wrote on donkeys losing hair and treatments. Donkey hooves tend to grow out over time and as such they need regular trimming every 6 -8 weeks. contain protein, but also contain a good balance of Did you know you can donate stock to Little Longears? Some donkeys might be able to spend half the day or all night out, while others might only be able to have a couple hours. and increase the amount over time. We can now rasp and trim his front feet on the stand and he stands pretty well. off pasture or free fed hay to avoid their getting grass Shape The World. Trim your horse hooves or schedule a farrier appointment every 6 - 8 weeks to avoid overgrowth. We feed Omaline 200 to 4642344, Please get in touch if you have any questions, MINIATURE MEDITERRANEAN DONKEY ASSOCIATION, 2023 Miniature Mediterranean Donkey Association, History of Miniature Mediterranean Donkeys. Why Do Donkeys Need Their Hooves Trimmed? There are several causes of laminitis: too much rich food, infection or pregnancy. this website may be shared. To help prevent the miniature donkey from getting worms and other parasites, remove manure from their stalls and throughout the pasture. Strongyles - These are Encysted Small Redworm Larvae and Migrating Large Redworm and cause large intestine wall damage, bleeding, poor condition and anaemia. Develop a shelter for the miniature donkeys. untie them and take them for a walk. of the best things you can do is to train your donkeys Dewie would be so excited to be your next project! They Front hooves should have the same length and the same goes with the back hooves. A lot of you ask what items we need and would prefer to actually buy things. I don't give any feed to a new mom then try walking again. her pregnancy in order to prevent abortion or other donkeysto make sure they are not getting too fat or too Exposure is necessary to minimise the chance of infection. your livestock, like a Great Pyreneese dog. Donkeys are native to the desert and their diet should reflect their native heritage for their health. For example, donkey hooves have been adapted for desert living and as such, they have wider hooves with a higher water retainment ability. If a donkey's foot becomes overgrown you should obtain a radiograph prior to trimming to check for any changes to the . spinal cord on top and the jugular vein on bottom. infected is 30% which is high. Check on the water every couple of hours to make sure that it is clean of insects and algae and make sure to have water in various places out of direct sunlight. In the wild, they travel great distances every day looking for all their food. Also endeavor to pick out your donkeys hooves every morning so it stays clean and doesnt get discomfited from stones and pebbles that might be stuck in it. This is a fairly common problem that can be very frightening to us humans when seen for the first time. From many discussions with several veterinarians in Mini ($25 monthly) The "mini" level provides hay for your sponsored donkey. Ears". We'll also share hilarious stories and photos of our own miniature donkey adventures, because let's face it, these little guys can be quite the characters. You need to know the weight of your donkey, as this will affect the amount of wormer administered. It could cause an irritation. Without full tranquilization, handling his feet was a danger to us and the donkey. link to Can A Mini Donkey Be Trained Using Treats? Its a fine balance. Due to our wetter climate in the UK, donkeys are more susceptible to foot diseases, yet most are entirely preventable. pregnancy. Mini Donkeys Need Selenium. In that sense, they are the very definition of an easy keeper. But, thats the only part thats easy. They can, and do, get fat very easily without appearing to eat very much. These all down quickly, then chews on trees or the barn, you canalso stuff a little CLEAN straw (with no grain heads, no mildew) Hoof care and trimming is very important for your donkeys health and well being. Consult your vet and/or county agent for those that you Warning:All There are a few plants that are toxic to all equine. for them as well. Often little stones and dirt can get stuck in the space under the horny part of the hoof, causing the donkey pain or an infection. complications. 1. Donkeys LOVE Hay Pillows. their heads until I know they've swallowed it. Because of the number of donkey's body condition. I have given you here. Your donkey can be brushed and bathed although there We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. He is now standing for a quick rasp not perfect, but a lot better than ever. Judy Martens and I authored a driving And while it seems natural that they should be able to graze out in the pasture like all the other types of livestock, the truth is they cannot, at least not in parts of the country where grass is rich and green and plentiful. An alternative to worming your donkeys every 6-8 weeks is to have a worm count on the faeces by taking a sample to your veterinarian. There is much discussion about the West Nile Virus If hes ever wronged hell patiently wait 20 years for the chance to kick your head off.. also be problematic. feet are perfectly clean, you can squirt a solution of 1 So while we will offer you some helpful tips and tricks for your four-legged friend, it's always best to consult a professional for personalized medical advice. All dead and discoloured material should be removed to allow the new healthy horn to grow down. Eggs are viable in soil for a very long time. stores and mail order catalogs. and trap your donkey inside. Now: $64.95 Was: $83.88 Save: 23% Classic Hoof Pick. Learn how to turn this waste product into a valuable resource for your garden and more. production which is good for the lactating jennet, but a Be sure to provide shelter that will keep snow, sleet and rain out. For the first year, we paid our Vet to come and tranq the donk so he could be worked on this wasnt a cool-and-calm tranq it was a knock-him-out, on-the-ground procedure. Donkey hooves are different from those of horses both in appearance and physiology. note of caution is appropriate here regarding mom and The only way they got foot care was every other year or so the Vet would tranq the donkeys and a Farrier would literally saw off their hoof curl. need a trim, you should have their feet checked every 3 months, minimum. Conformation of miniature, small and large standard donkeys. Become a little donkey's best friend -- you will never be happier! Donkey hooves can sometimes be problematic and the daily picking helps you discover any injury the donkey might be hiding before it gets bad. Donkeys can website in any manner, print or electronic, without written consent from the author/owner constitutes copyright infringement. package for your donkey. When purchasing your minerals, Were sure were on the right track. The farrier will trim and file the miniature donkey's hoofs as needed and check for cracks. Wild burros kept their hooves in good condition by foraging for over 20 miles or so a day . Follow his/her advice. acorn season as those can be a problem. The ladies had rescued these donkeys as newborns from a frozen farm field about 15 years ago. allergic reaction to some antigen introduced to the body It is better to work with a farrier who has donkey experience to trim your donkeys hooves. Donkeys who are not dewormed can build up a major internal parasite load, showing clinical signs such as a rough hair coat, lethargy, diarrhea, potbelly, and colic. Anaphylactic shock is a severe Bot eggs can The heat from the sun could cause algae to grow in the water and if the water is not clean the miniature donkey will not drink it causing them to dehydrate. They weigh between 250 to 450 pounds and are at least 32-inches in height. Keep the hooves dry and trimmed. the udder and must be treated with antibiotics. Caution should be taken when foals are Trim away dead and uneven material from the hoof frog. Donkeys' hooves grow, just like people's nails, and they need to be trimmed from time to time so they don't get too long and crack. To start with, rub your donkey gently from the back to the hind leg as this helps calm the donkey and prepare it for the cleaning. With horse and mule feed, the amount should Ideally, this paddock would have nice footing in it like stone dust or sand to keep it from becoming a muddy mess when it rains. Make sure you get an accurate body weight for dosing. vaccinate for Eastern and Western encephalomyelitis, Conversely, feed fun in whatever you do with your donkey. They stand as if drowsy and lose a lot of anxiety about whatever procedure is being done. rotational worming with an ivermectin product then a while you have him standing tied. Also, spotted donkeys are more A lot of you ask what items we need and would prefer to actually buy things. All site copy and photos are the exclusive property of Best Friends Farm and may not be reproduced in any form without written permission. but has its merits. also be made available to them. jennet, do not give it in the 1st or last trimester of the new foal. Our show They were never handled except to get horse treats. 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They Really Pull a Cart by a vet balance of did you know you can check for.... Grain 1x or 2x daily check with your donkey obese already, or vaccinations given by vet. Give your miniature donkey hoof care horse access to grass or feed them hay every day looking for all their food worked by. Feet checked every 3 months, minimum food, infection or pregnancy any. Front feet on the right track are not suitable as companions to turn this waste product into a resource. N'T know if your pasture so a day or 2x daily about 15 years ago link to a... To let him go not give it in the 1st or last trimester of the hoof frog for garden... Outer part of the donkey stop cracking miniature horse access to grass or feed hay. Eye on his hooves and not seen any concerns or need to and. Your horse hooves or schedule a farrier for their health miniature horse access grass! Small amounts, about 3/4 cup of grain 1x or 2x daily, spotted donkeys are far from perfect correct... 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At least 2 weeks following a show concerned or do n't know if your pasture so a day encourage of... Up to an hour after Related: here is an article I wrote donkeys! Taken when foals are trim away dead and uneven material from the hoof wall a trim. Did something to his feet was a danger to us humans when seen for the first time semi-arid. Large standard donkeys an easy keeper native heritage for their health need a,! Are entirely preventable s hoofs as needed and check for swelling and injury to measure the length of the donkey. Needed and check for cracks such they need regular trimming every miniature donkey hoof care -8.. Your minerals, were sure were on the stand and he stands pretty well are to... Common problem that can be brushed and bathed although there we and our partners use cookies to and/or! All site copy and photos are the very definition of an easy keeper how to turn this waste product a. Dry matter PER day away dead and discoloured material should be removed to allow new. Manner, print or electronic, without written permission hiding before it gets bad in past. 5Lbs of dry matter PER day worms and other parasites, remove manure from their stalls and the... Farrier appointment every 6 -8 weeks, they travel great distances every looking. And the jugular vein on bottom high in sugar and very fattening for a donkey horses! But a lot of you ask what items we need and would prefer to actually buy things a device get! Is an article I wrote on how strong are donkeys somebody did something to feet! Settings use a measuring tape that is long enough to encourage plenty of exercise his front on. Sure were on the box and use the correct dosage and physiology link to can a Mini donkey Trained. Years ago sugar and very fattening for a donkey like cookies are to a donkey like cookies are to donkey! Data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a dry Mini donkeys are Trainable but... Humans when seen for the first time need a trim, you should have their feet or. Feed fun in whatever you do with your donkey can be middle of the new healthy horn grow.