For those of you who are considering Miniature Donkeys or who have just purchased your first pair there are a number of things you need to know to be sure your animal will get a good start. The first thing you will need is adequate housing and a place for them to be turned out for exercise. The housing should provide protection from rain, snow, or sun and be free of drafts. Heat is not necessary, but a tight building is important, especially for those who live in cold climates. A small barn or out building can be all that is necessary. The flooring should be appropriate to drain or absorb urine and easy to clean or muck out. Stall mats with bedding work well. You will need access to fresh clean water year round (an automatic waterer or a tank heater in cold climates is a real time saver). You will also need a hayrack, a mineral salt block and a feed tub. Check the stall and paddock area carefully to make sure there are no sharp edges or places an animal can get caught or injured. If you have a stall or barn opened to a paddock or pasture it will allow your animal to come and go if the weather turns bad and you are not available.
If you have purchased your donkeys from an experienced, reputable breeder, no doubt they have given you information to get you started. You have probably gathered that a donkey, as a herd animal, needs a companion and the best companion is another donkey. Even if you purchased your donkey as a companion to a horse, what happens when the horse goes off to be ridden? Usually the horse does not want to leave his donkey friend and the donkey is very unhappy to have his companion go without him. So a pair of donkeys makes good sense.
What else do you need for your donkey now that you have housing, a turn out, and a companion? A donkey, like a horse, will need a basic series of vaccinations and yearly boosters. Your local equine veterinarian can tell you what vaccines are appropriate in your area. Tetanus, eastern/western flu, rabies, rhinopneumonitis, and west Nile are some of the vaccines that are often recommended. Your donkey will need regular parasite control with a worming paste given every four to eight weeks, depending on the age of the animal. Again, check with your veterinarian for a schedule. Hooves will need to be trimmed every two months plus or minus. A farrier is a person trained to trim hooves. Be sure your farrier is familiar with trimming a donkey because their hooves are trimmed at a different angle than a horse.
Nutrition is another subject where there are many differences of opinion and feeding practices in different parts of the country. Most people agree that donkeys need good quality dust-free hay. A timothy grass mix is very popular in the northeast, for instance. Pregnant, nursing jennies, and foals generally need a horse grain in addition to hay. Donkeys are easy keepers and can get too fat very easily so be very careful you do not over feed your donkey. Grazing on rich pasture day in and day out may be too much of a good thing too. Learn how to monitor your donkey's body condition to be sure they are in a healthy weight. Some areas of the country are deficient in selenium so many breeders supplement with a little selenium and vitamin E. Consult with your vet concerning supplements.
A few safety tips you should also know:
Never leave a halter on your donkey due to the danger of hanging.
Check your pasture for any toxic plants (ask your cooperative extension service).
Start working with your donkey on basic halter training.
Learn how to take a temperature.
Be aware of any changes in your animal's behavior, eating, drinking or manure.
There are many good references that can help you learn more about your donkey. The American Donkey and Mule Society has some wonderful resources in their book service www.lovelongears.com.
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