~Mini-Donk ADVICE Needed~

[midwestmilkmaiden]

Hello All.

I added a mini-donk to my herd last summer. The previous owner told me that she had raised him out on pasture.. pretty much free range, with no "dry lot". So when I brought him home that's what I did and now during this winter have just been giving him grass hay. He's doing great... and is my sweetie pie.
But with spring around the corner ( hopefully) .. I'm wondering about what to do... as far as when the pasture starts to come back in.. and foundering and all of that jazz.
I know many people raise their mini-horses and mini-donks without a dry lot and don't restrict them from the pasture at all... but was just curious about the time when everything starts to get green and lush again.. should I restrict him a bit or not worry about it if he's used to free ranging on it.... ????

So, I know somebody on here has some goooood advice for me and my donk Poncho!

...and all suggestions are very much appreciated!

 

[RiverOtter]

Definitely restrict him a bit. That first spring grass puts fat on a donkey. A welcome thing if he was wild and thin from a harsh winter out in the elements, pawing through snow for every mouthful, hiking for miles across windswept desert....

But as it's a pretty good bet that your sweetie not only came through winter fine but is pleasantly plumpish in the crest area, he doesn't need too many calories. So a grazing muzzle, a drylot or restricted grazing time. Only let him graze after other critters have eaten off some of the lush growth. Slowly wean him onto it, watch his weight and remember that a donkey can get good and fat on nothing but good pasture. They are naturally desert dwellers so turning one out into a lush field of green is as natural as turning a horse out into a field of ripening oats.

Don't let that sweet face with the soft nose guilt you!

 

[midwestmilkmaiden]

Yes Indeed.. that sweet soft nose gets him plenty of treats!!!!!!

And Thank You...

So, indeed restrict him a bit.. which I felt was the right thing to do... I guess I was just worried with the thought of Foundering. ..

Is that easy to have happen???..

And again .. Thank You.. you were my ONLY reply.. which is odd for BYC!

 

[vicki2x2]

Yeah, I would restrict him. When I had mine, I would let them graze for a couple of hours, then back to their dry lot. I gradually increased their time out. Donkeys gain weight on air it seems!

 

[joedie]

Okay, so I'm going to have to be the one who disagrees this time. Donkeys do get fat on air it seems but I have 23 mini donks and never keep them off the pasture in the spring. Yes, I know they can founder but I've never had it happen. None of the other breeders that I know keep them off either.

 

[Soccer Mom]

I'm with Joedie. I never restrict mine and I've never had one founder. My pony, however, founders if she LOOKS at green grass.

 

[midwestmilkmaiden]

Thank You joedie and Soccer Mom!!!

That's the answer I was hoping for!!!

I also know of quite a few folks who don't restrict at all and seem to be healthy and happy!

I know there are quite a few opinions on this matter .. guess it just ends up being a matter of personal experience.

Thank You All.

 

[RiverOtter]

It is pretty easy to have them founder. And overweight leads to lots of other health problems. So even if you don't have something drastic like founder, fat is as bad for donkeys as it is for people. Maybe worse. A broken crest is there for life, and so is hoof damage from founder. It can be managed, but it's there.
http://www.lovelongears.com/about_donkeys2.htmlj

There are lots of people who don't have trouble. It depends on your area, climate, grass, stocking rates, etc. Lots of things. For me, I'd err on the side of caution. It will not cost you anything but time (or maybe the price of a grazing muzzle if you decide to go that way) to be careful, see how your individual donkey reacts to your individual grazing situation.
But if you just turn him out, be aware of the risk you are taking, that you have more lush pasture, more legumes, less competition for grazing, a donkey more prone to founder, etc, then those who have no trouble with it.