XL Vets equine factsheets

Donkeys have evolved to live in arid, mountainous, desert areas where feed is sparse and of poor quality. As a consequence, they are excellent at digesting very fibrous plants and can feed off woody shrubs and trees as well as grass. Replication of this natural environment can be very difficult in the UK where donkeys are commonly kept as companion or leisure animals on lush, grass-rich pastures. Every donkey should be fed according to their body condition, age, underlying health issues, time of year and grazing availability. Inappropriate feeding can lead to boredom, obesity and the potentially serious health issues that occur as a consequence of this.