Donkey Care

Bandit · 11-10-2007, 11:19 AM

So how different is donkey care from horse care? I've never owned a Donkey but would like to someday. Do you keep them on the same worming schedule? Same feed, etc? Any input would be appreciated, thanks!

AlbertaGirl · 11-10-2007, 11:10 PM

I care for my donkey the same as my horses, except his feet grow slower than my horses, so he gets trimmed every second time the farrier is out. He gets wormed along with them too

I've been told that they eat less than a horse their size, but drink more. Since mine are on pasture during the spring - fall, and I throw multiple piles of hay in the winter, I don't really even know if that's true

. With auto waterers, I don't really notice if he drinks more, so this info probably isn't all that useful

, unless someone else can confirm it

I really like having my guy, he's great company for the horses, and I just enjoy his antics - lol!

cascy · 11-10-2007, 11:18 PM

Most donkey (standards or minis) are just like pony's... They don't need as much or they can founder... Other then that, we worm and etc the same... And if they ever figure out how good it feels to have the insides of thier ears scratched, you'll have a friend for life

Bandit · 11-11-2007, 12:42 AM

Cool - so I can care for one like my haflinger (super easy keeper) and we should be ok then?

I just wanted to make sure there wasn't something special - like when we had our sheep they couldn't have a lot of the feeds out there nor the standard mineral blocks due to copper intolerance.

Thanks for the info!

AlbertaGirl · 11-11-2007, 12:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bandit

I just wanted to make sure there wasn't something special - like when we had our sheep they couldn't have a lot of the feeds out there nor the standard mineral blocks due to copper intolerance.

Thanks for the info!

Nothing that I know of, but I've only got the one donkey, so I'm certainly no expert

. Had him for over 2 years though now, and he's still alive to bray about it

, and has come a long way since I first got him.

Oh, and you're welcome!

iris_surreal_euphoria · 11-11-2007, 04:35 PM

In my expirence- The donkeys are mucher easier to care for than horses. The horses seem so delicate compared to the donkeys. One thing I can tell you is that donkeys (keep in mind this is only my expirence

) are much hardier- and much more apt to care for themselves. Example: We took my little donkey packing up in the woods. She could travel wherever we went! Up rocks, across ditches, in deep leaves and mud. Places I would never dream of letting a horse go.

They need all the same things a horse does, just less of it. Most of the time if you have pasture, or good hay you won't need to feed them grain. Ours get some just b/c they are spoiled rotten!

When it comes to worming make sure to include something that gets rid of lung worms in your rotation. Worm your horses with it too b/c it does spread.

Another thing- Rich stuff isn't good for them like alfalfa- we avoid it and opt for timothy or orchard grass.

If you have any other questions let me know

Sure hope you decide to get yourself a long ear!

Bandit · 11-11-2007, 06:46 PM

Iris - thank you for all the information!

I'm pretty sure I will get one as soon as I can find Roxy a home, but the way the market is going that may take a bit or time.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
How is pony care different from horse care?	montanagirl	General Horse Advice	15	06-22-2007 08:19 AM
Donkey Care Info????? Before buying one	sugarsgal	Health & Nutrition	11	12-23-2006 08:30 AM
Fur care	Paints4life	Health & Nutrition	5	01-14-2006 08:35 AM
Wet/Dry Mare Care	CowgirlUp3214	Breeding & Genetics	4	02-20-2005 07:34 PM

11-10-2007, 11:19 AM
Bandit Coming two Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 1,803	Donkey Care So how different is donkey care from horse care? I've never owned a Donkey but would like to someday. Do you keep them on the same worming schedule? Same feed, etc? Any input would be appreciated, thanks! __________________

11-10-2007, 11:10 PM
AlbertaGirl Greenbroke Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Alberta Posts: 3,322	I care for my donkey the same as my horses, except his feet grow slower than my horses, so he gets trimmed every second time the farrier is out. He gets wormed along with them too I've been told that they eat less than a horse their size, but drink more. Since mine are on pasture during the spring - fall, and I throw multiple piles of hay in the winter, I don't really even know if that's true . With auto waterers, I don't really notice if he drinks more, so this info probably isn't all that useful , unless someone else can confirm it I really like having my guy, he's great company for the horses, and I just enjoy his antics - lol! __________________ Some people say horses don't have a sense of humor... they obviously haven't met mine yet ;o)

11-10-2007, 11:18 PM
cascy Kid Safe Join Date: May 2006 Location: arkansas Posts: 6,088	Most donkey (standards or minis) are just like pony's... They don't need as much or they can founder... Other then that, we worm and etc the same... And if they ever figure out how good it feels to have the insides of thier ears scratched, you'll have a friend for life __________________ To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.

11-11-2007, 12:42 AM
Bandit Coming two Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 1,803	Cool - so I can care for one like my haflinger (super easy keeper) and we should be ok then? I just wanted to make sure there wasn't something special - like when we had our sheep they couldn't have a lot of the feeds out there nor the standard mineral blocks due to copper intolerance. Thanks for the info! __________________

11-11-2007, 04:35 PM
iris_surreal_euphoria Long Yearling Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Somerset, Kentucky Posts: 1,073	In my expirence- The donkeys are mucher easier to care for than horses. The horses seem so delicate compared to the donkeys. One thing I can tell you is that donkeys (keep in mind this is only my expirence) are much hardier- and much more apt to care for themselves. Example: We took my little donkey packing up in the woods. She could travel wherever we went! Up rocks, across ditches, in deep leaves and mud. Places I would never dream of letting a horse go. They need all the same things a horse does, just less of it. Most of the time if you have pasture, or good hay you won't need to feed them grain. Ours get some just b/c they are spoiled rotten! When it comes to worming make sure to include something that gets rid of lung worms in your rotation. Worm your horses with it too b/c it does spread. Another thing- Rich stuff isn't good for them like alfalfa- we avoid it and opt for timothy or orchard grass. If you have any other questions let me know Sure hope you decide to get yourself a long ear! __________________ If wishes were horses this room would need a good mucking! Visit our website: http://www.freewebs.com/lazziassacres/

11-11-2007, 06:46 PM
Bandit Coming two Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 1,803	Iris - thank you for all the information! I'm pretty sure I will get one as soon as I can find Roxy a home, but the way the market is going that may take a bit or time. __________________