12/02/2020
CARE OF YOUR DONKEYS THROUGH THE COLD WINTER MONTHS
By Paulette Jacklin
A donkey's coat is not waterproof so you'll need to help them withstand the lower temperatures. Donkeys don't like being closed in; so rather than shutting them completely in a stall barn all winter long, provide them with a waterproof shelter.
It doesn't have to be elaborate; a simple lean-to will do just fine. An ideal shelter should be located at an angle that protects them against drafts and prevailing winds. It should have three solid walls from the ground up, a sloping roof and, preferably, a concrete base with rubber mats. The entrance should lead out into a fenced dry lot area if their paddock or pasture is too waterlogged.
Have blankets ready (in case it gets cold enough to require blankets) and rain coats (for heavy rain conditions). Young and healthy donkeys probably won't need blankets or rain coats, but your seniors and sick donkeys should wear them because it's a lot harder for them to maintain their body heat. Show people who shave their donkeys will need to use blankets also because they won't have that natural winter coat to help then through the cold winter months.
It's always a good idea to have a spare blanket and raincoat in case one gets really wet, dirty or damaged. On warm, dry sunny days, remove your donkey’s blanket or raincoat for an hour or two so their coat can air out, their skin can breathe and they can get warmed by the sun.
Get in the habit of examining your donkey for sores, scratches or cuts when you take their raincoats or blankets off. Brush your donkeys to encourage circulation. Do not, however, brush them if they are wet as brushing will push water down to their skin causing them to become chilled. clean their eyes, nose, ears and pick out their feet to avoid problems like thrush. Bedding and shelters should be kept clean and dry and donkeys should be kept off muddy fields.
Rainscald and Mud Fever are conditions that occur when the skin and coat remains wet for long periods of time. It's more widespread during the winter and early spring, particularly if your donkeys don't have access to a shelter and dry lot area.
RAINSCALD is a condition that affects their shoulders, back, rump and, occasionally, the face. In mild cases, the donkey may just have a few scabs containing tufts of hair. When the scabs are removed the underneath surface is slightly moist and sometimes raw.
In severe cases the coat over their back and rump will consist of clusters of scabs next to each other. If the scabs are removed the donkey may be left with a large area of bare, raw skin.
MUD FEVER (a.k.a. Dew Poisoning) is often caused by a mixture of bacteria or fungal organisms which causes irritation and dermatitis in their lower legs resulting in painful sores and scabs and the limbs may become swollen. Mud fever most commonly affects the back of the pastern, the fetlock and the heel.
Impaction colic (common during freezing cold winters) is often attributed to insufficient water intake. Donkeys will drink more water if it's warmer. So keep it at a tepid, warm temperature if at all possible. This can be accomplish by keeping the water in a heated water bucket or using a water trough heater. Be sure to safeguard the chord to prevent curious, playful donkeys from chewing on it or playing with it.
Adequate salt intake also lowers water consumption So to combat this, provide a mineralized salt block near their water source.