Practical feeding and condition scoring for donkeys and mules
Authors: Burden F.
Journal: Equine Veterinary Education
Summary
Donkeys and mules occupy a distinct nutritional niche within equine practice, having evolved as opportunistic feeders adapted to poor-quality, fibrous vegetation rather than the richer pastures that shaped equine metabolism. Their substantially lower energy and protein requirements compared with horses—coupled with their natural browsing behaviour—mean that conventional equine feeding protocols are inappropriate and frequently contribute to obesity and metabolic disease in temperate climates. Burden's review emphasises that most donkeys thrive on a forage-based diet with restricted grazing, avoiding the concentrated feeds routinely used for horses; only animals with specific production demands (breeding stock, working donkeys, or those in poor condition) require supplemental feeding. The practical significance lies in education: farriers, vets and nutritionists commonly encounter overweight donkeys receiving inappropriate grain-based diets designed for equines, which accelerates joint disease, laminitis and insulin dysregulation. Understanding donkey-specific nutritional requirements—and communicating these clearly to owners—represents a fundamental shift in how we manage these animals in UK practice, where they are increasingly popular but frequently subjected to feeding regimens that actively promote ill-health.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Don't feed donkeys like horses—they need less energy and protein; a basic forage diet is usually sufficient
- •Strictly manage grazing and monitor body condition regularly to prevent obesity-related problems that are common in temperate climates
- •Specialist feeds should be reserved for working donkeys, breeding animals, or those with specific deficiencies rather than given routinely
Key Findings
- •Donkeys have significantly lower energy and protein requirements compared to horses due to their evolutionary adaptation to poor-quality forage
- •Donkeys are prone to obesity and related metabolic disorders when managed in temperate climates with ad libitum feeding
- •A diet based primarily on fibrous forages with limited grazing is nutritionally adequate for most donkeys and mules without supplementation