Changes

[[File:Straw.jpg|200px]]

[[File:Straw.jpg|200px]]

====Hay/Haylage====

====Hay/Haylage====

[[File:High Fibre Haylage.jpg|200px]]

[[File:High Fibre Haylage.jpg|200px]]

====Grazing for Donkeys====

====Grazing for Donkeys====

[[File:Donkey Chaff.jpg|200px]]

[[File:Donkey Chaff.jpg|200px]]

====Feeding Sick Donkeys====

====Feeding Sick Donkeys====

[[File:Fat pads.jpg|200px]]

[[File:Fat pads.jpg|200px]]

It is extremely important when dieting donkeys to make feed changes gradually and to monitor them closely.  Donkeys should be either weighed or condition scored weekly and records kept of their heart-girth measurements (charts for weight estimation and body condition scoring are available from The Donkey Sanctuary).  Progress when dieting donkeys is slow and perseverance is very important, it often takes time for the first amounts of weight to be lost, however once this process begins weight loss should be gradual and not excessive.  It is essential to know when it is time to stop dieting, donkeys store fat in very different areas to that seen in horses and invariably these fat pads (often seen on the crest, rump and flanks) do not disappear completely despite the animal being in an ideal condition.  Although it is a difficult task, dieting donkeys gradually to attain a healthy body condition will have physical and psychological benefits for the animal and will almost certainly lead to the donkey’s life expectancy being extended.

It is extremely important when dieting donkeys to make feed changes gradually and to monitor them closely.  Donkeys should be either weighed or condition scored weekly and records kept of their heart-girth measurements (charts for weight estimation and body condition scoring are available from The Donkey Sanctuary).  Progress when dieting donkeys is slow and perseverance is very important, it often takes time for the first amounts of weight to be lost, however once this process begins weight loss should be gradual and not excessive.  It is essential to know when it is time to stop dieting, donkeys store fat in very different areas to that seen in horses and invariably these fat pads (often seen on the crest, rump and flanks) do not disappear completely despite the animal being in an ideal condition.  Although it is a difficult task, dieting donkeys gradually to attain a healthy body condition will have physical and psychological benefits for the animal and will almost certainly lead to the donkey’s life expectancy being extended.