donkeys
expense goes into the care of these wonderful creatures. Looking back over The Donkey Sanctuary records, the average life expectancy is just over 30 years, so owning a donkey is a long-term commitment. Before getting donkeys you should carefully consider their care in 10 or 20 years’ time.
Creating and managing the correct environment for your donkeys is vital to ensure their needs are met and they remain healthy and safe. One of the most important things donkeys need is access to shelter 24
hours a day. Donkeys’ coats are not as waterproof as those of horses, and shelter allows protection from the wind and rain. Shelter also allows donkeys to rest in the shade and refuge from flies and midges in warmer weather. Because of the structure and attributes of their feet, it is essential that donkeys can get off wet and muddy areas for at least part of their day by having access to vital hard standing.
Donkeys have a reason for everything they do. Their behaviour is controlled and
influenced by a wide range of factors. Misunderstanding the donkey’s true nature and behaviour leads to the incorrect but common belief that donkeys are stubborn. It is human perception that labels donkey behaviour as difficult or inappropriate; to the donkey, its behaviour is always justifiable.
Each and every donkey has a different personality. A donkey’s body language will reveal its emotions and feelings, so owners must watch their donkeys and really get to know them, their body language and identifying
what is normal for each donkey.
Every owner will, at some point in time, be concerned that all is not well with their donkey. By understanding the signs to look for, it should be easier to spot early warnings of a developing problem. Donkeys are very stoical by nature. They generally do not show obvious or dramatic signs of illness or lameness until the problem is well advanced. Therefore, familiarity with routine health checks and the behaviour of your own donkeys is key to recognising problems early. A daily six point check list is advised by The Donkey Sanctuary; behaviour, appetite and thirst, faeces and urine, eyes, nose and resting respiration, coat and skin, movement.
Visitors meet the residents at The Donkey Sanctuary
www.theequinesite.co.uk
Common ailments that donkeys suffer from are things such as colic, hyperlipaemia and respiratory disease. Donkeys also have difficulty with skin conditions like sarcoids, ringworm, rain scald or mud fever and even sunburn. Donkeys suffering from foot problems are also very common in the UK. Donkeys are adapted to a dry environment. They thrive in semi-arid parts of the world, where the ground is dry and stony, and where, for most of the year, the vegetation is of poor nutritional value and very fibrous. Their feet are more efficient at absorbing water than horses’ hooves are: this is probably an adaptation to the dry environment which they evolved.
Equine Page 15
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64
