SOS, fat donkey!

[Fairynuff]

Im needing advise from donkey/small pony owners. Doodles is (in my opinion) fat. She is a donkey with a middle age spread at 8 yars old

. Her daily routine is-7am a slice of hay. 8am, turned out in a paddock with poor grazing for 2 to 3 hours. Brought back in to her paddock (which is bare) till 6 pm when she has another slice of hay.9pm another slice of hay. Where am I going wrong? Paolino is with her 24/24 and is on the same diet and hes....not as fat as she is

. Mairi.

 

[kate081]

Probably doesn't need all that hay if it's just for her. The grass is growing so well at the moment that what looks bare to you is actually providing more than you think. When my 16hh horses are in overnight they only get 2 slabs of hay coz the grass is so good.

 

[nadinek82]

Have you tried soaking the hay?

 

[Tinker_Belle]

I'd cut the hay down to 1.5 slices maximum.

When I had the Shetties they were grazed in a bare paddock & had no additional feeding. They lived on fresh air in the summer, & got borderline on that sometimes!

Seriously, cut the hay to half of what it is at the very least, or even just a slice to have while she's in. Try putting it in a small holed haynet too so she HAS to take her time eating it

 

[becca114]

I am a donkey owner, my donkey is out on good grazing but he is constantly moving around with the herd so he is at a normal weight at the moment. Also even though your paddock looks bare, the grass that is coming through will be very nutritious so some 'older' less nutritious grass may be better. I would also cut down a lot on the hay and feed some good quality straw.

 

[Donkeymad]

Exchange the hay for straw, preferably a wheat type one (what do you get over there?)
Donkeys need the very meagrest of nutrition living on the coarser fibre feed stuffs. It is however VITAL that a donkey is not starved or too severly restricted, as they are very prone to hyperlipaemia (sp) which is usually lethal.
I'm struggling with three donks that are slender and one that puts on weight soo easily.
You might like to consider joining the Donkey Breed Society Forum Board where there is a huge wealth of knowledge. I appreciate you are not in the UK, but we do have members from all over the world, including Spain and Portugal.
You can find the forum board HERE
If you decide to join, give me a shout and I will let you in immediately.

 

[kanter]

Cut the hay down to half and soak it for 12 hours before feeding - this reduces the nutritional value and it also seems to take them longer to eat, and is more filling

 

[Fairynuff]

I have taken on board all of your advice-i was a bit dubious about cutting down on her hay intake but hadnt thought about replacing some of it with straw

.Will give it a go and to be honest, it wouldnt hurt paolino to loose a bit

. thanks.M