Advise on mini donk care

missa · 03-29-2008, 10:55 PM

I got a 7 yr mini donk for auction and would really like to know any info on their care. I have already gelded, wormed, and trimmed his feet. His feet were twisted and curving upward when I got him but my farrier fixed him up and said one more trim shoud straighten his feet all the way out. I have him on half scoop of 14% pellet twice a day and free choice hay and water. Is that too much or too little feed? Any info is helpful. He has had a rough life so far and I want him to be as happy and healthy as I can make him.

iris_surreal_euphoria · 03-29-2008, 11:02 PM

Awwwww... he's so cute! I love him. We have 13 here on Lazziass Acres. He reminds me of our "old Josh"

I would cut that feed down for sure. As long as he has pasture or hay, salt, and water, he shouldn't need feed. If you do give him feed, I'd give him 10%.

Also make sure you include in your worming rotation something that takes care of lungworms. Donkeys get them and can spread them to horses. I think equi-max takes care of them, I cant remember off the top of my head.

The little man looks so happy already! Bless you for taking him in.

missa · 03-30-2008, 12:07 AM

I usually rotate between Combo Care, Ivermectin, and a wormer I get from my vet. Right now he is living in my backyard, we had major complications with his gelding surgery. I will cut him back to just a hanful of feed a day...there isn't 10% pellets around here only sweet feed and I don't use sweet feed (I am using the feed to teach him to come when called because as soon as he is completely healed he will be out on 65 acres with my horses and I don't want to lose him on it

) I was told that minis can founder easy and I was afraid I was feeding him too much

. He had real bad bloodworms (the fat red ones) when I got him. But he got power dosed to get rid of anything living in there.

Chic · 03-30-2008, 09:50 AM

A handful of grain a day is plenty... mine only gets some so they don't feel left out when I feed the horses. When you do turn him out into the big pasture wait until the grass isn't so fresh and check his hooves often... my mini was on about 4 acres all summer one year... no hay or grain, just the grass and ended up with white line separation. Took about 6 months and several farrier visits to completely clear up.

He's a cutie BTW. I love how his cross is so dark and thick.

iris_surreal_euphoria · 03-30-2008, 02:40 PM

Perhaps you could try triple crown lite? It is designed for easy keepers, ponys and miniatures. I use just a handfull of 10% sweet feed just as a come here treat every evening so I can check everybody out real will and notice any behaviour changes at " feeding time" but I use triple crown lite on the horses. It is a pelleted feed super high in fiber and low in fat. It is sold at most feed stores, I get mine at southern states.

Yes, founder is a common problem. I agree with Chic on keeping him up until the grass isn't so rich.

Best of luck!

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03-29-2008, 10:55 PM
missa Yearling Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: oklahoma Posts: 821	Advise on mini donk care I got a 7 yr mini donk for auction and would really like to know any info on their care. I have already gelded, wormed, and trimmed his feet. His feet were twisted and curving upward when I got him but my farrier fixed him up and said one more trim shoud straighten his feet all the way out. I have him on half scoop of 14% pellet twice a day and free choice hay and water. Is that too much or too little feed? Any info is helpful. He has had a rough life so far and I want him to be as happy and healthy as I can make him. __________________ Rainbow-93 grey arab mare, Ruby- 01 black bay morgan x mare, Moon- 08 grey arab x colt, Freedom-07 bay mustang filly, Sammy-02 grey mustang gelding, Trigger-07 palimino gelding

03-29-2008, 11:02 PM
iris_surreal_euphoria Long Yearling Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Somerset, Kentucky Posts: 1,051	Awwwww... he's so cute! I love him. We have 13 here on Lazziass Acres. He reminds me of our "old Josh" I would cut that feed down for sure. As long as he has pasture or hay, salt, and water, he shouldn't need feed. If you do give him feed, I'd give him 10%. Also make sure you include in your worming rotation something that takes care of lungworms. Donkeys get them and can spread them to horses. I think equi-max takes care of them, I cant remember off the top of my head. The little man looks so happy already! Bless you for taking him in. __________________ If wishes were horses this room would need a good mucking! Visit our website: http://www.freewebs.com/lazziassacres/

03-30-2008, 12:07 AM
missa Yearling Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: oklahoma Posts: 821	I usually rotate between Combo Care, Ivermectin, and a wormer I get from my vet. Right now he is living in my backyard, we had major complications with his gelding surgery. I will cut him back to just a hanful of feed a day...there isn't 10% pellets around here only sweet feed and I don't use sweet feed (I am using the feed to teach him to come when called because as soon as he is completely healed he will be out on 65 acres with my horses and I don't want to lose him on it ) I was told that minis can founder easy and I was afraid I was feeding him too much . He had real bad bloodworms (the fat red ones) when I got him. But he got power dosed to get rid of anything living in there. __________________ Rainbow-93 grey arab mare, Ruby- 01 black bay morgan x mare, Moon- 08 grey arab x colt, Freedom-07 bay mustang filly, Sammy-02 grey mustang gelding, Trigger-07 palimino gelding

03-30-2008, 09:50 AM
Chic Long Yearling Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,208	A handful of grain a day is plenty... mine only gets some so they don't feel left out when I feed the horses. When you do turn him out into the big pasture wait until the grass isn't so fresh and check his hooves often... my mini was on about 4 acres all summer one year... no hay or grain, just the grass and ended up with white line separation. Took about 6 months and several farrier visits to completely clear up. He's a cutie BTW. I love how his cross is so dark and thick. __________________ Jewlery For Your HorseThe Kelley Square "I cannot do everything, but I can do something; and because I cannot do everything I will not refuse to do the something that I can do." Edward Hale

03-30-2008, 02:40 PM
iris_surreal_euphoria Long Yearling Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Somerset, Kentucky Posts: 1,051	Perhaps you could try triple crown lite? It is designed for easy keepers, ponys and miniatures. I use just a handfull of 10% sweet feed just as a come here treat every evening so I can check everybody out real will and notice any behaviour changes at " feeding time" but I use triple crown lite on the horses. It is a pelleted feed super high in fiber and low in fat. It is sold at most feed stores, I get mine at southern states. Yes, founder is a common problem. I agree with Chic on keeping him up until the grass isn't so rich. Best of luck! __________________ If wishes were horses this room would need a good mucking! Visit our website: http://www.freewebs.com/lazziassacres/