Okay, I don't post much on this side of the mini forum, but I am really getting concerned about my donkeys feet. First of all, he is boarded on a semi dry lot during the day and stalled at night and in the rain/mud times. I can not get out to see him as often as I would like due to new health conditions, but hopefully, we can bring him and my mini horse home within a few months. He is five years old, gelded, and very fat. We got him that way two years ago, hoping he would grow out of it, but he hasn't. All of the issues below have also started since this spring, when I am not there as much, maybe once in three weeks versus three times a week. Plus the owner got hurt too, and her son is taking care of the boarders.
When I saw him last week, his feet really scared me. They have always been really rough and bumpy and scaly at the top half, but now all four feet are that way all the way down the wall. Kinda like they have grown out that way to start with instead of just being dry. There is no smoothness to them at all, period. He has a really deep sole and frog that seems to stay black and stinky. I have asked to pick his feet more and treat them with a thrush medicine, but I don't think they are. He gets a literal handful of Strategy grain morning and night and free choice minerals. He is way over fed, as is my mini, but no one listens to me, saying I would starve them to death. They both get "two flakes" at night and also thrown out for them in the dry lot, the same as all of the big horses. They look like they are going to foal anyday. I have spoken with the owners before and they promise they do what I ask, but I've seen it myself. Sorry for the rant, back on track here. Is this kinda normal for donkey feet? Shouldn't they be as smooth as horse feet. I know the agles are a little different too, the farrier has given really high heels and he is beginning to get a curve outward in his toes, like really neglected and overgrown feet do, but he is trimmed so short on schedule, every six or eight weeks.
I know that he is not getting the correct care, but my barn is almost finished and I will look after them both myself. The farrier does wonders on my mini horse who has ringbone and he is a "natural farrior", but I think something is terribly wrong with the donkey's care, farrior related or not. I can try to get pictures in the next few days, but for now, I was just wandering if any one knows what I am talking about. I am sure it is a combo of things, like he needs more protien from grain, less hay, and more movement, but he does not show any lameness or soreness when I clean his feet or when he runs around. I am so frustrated.
Thanks, and Amos thank you too.
When I saw him last week, his feet really scared me. They have always been really rough and bumpy and scaly at the top half, but now all four feet are that way all the way down the wall. Kinda like they have grown out that way to start with instead of just being dry. There is no smoothness to them at all, period. He has a really deep sole and frog that seems to stay black and stinky. I have asked to pick his feet more and treat them with a thrush medicine, but I don't think they are. He gets a literal handful of Strategy grain morning and night and free choice minerals. He is way over fed, as is my mini, but no one listens to me, saying I would starve them to death. They both get "two flakes" at night and also thrown out for them in the dry lot, the same as all of the big horses. They look like they are going to foal anyday. I have spoken with the owners before and they promise they do what I ask, but I've seen it myself. Sorry for the rant, back on track here. Is this kinda normal for donkey feet? Shouldn't they be as smooth as horse feet. I know the agles are a little different too, the farrier has given really high heels and he is beginning to get a curve outward in his toes, like really neglected and overgrown feet do, but he is trimmed so short on schedule, every six or eight weeks.
I know that he is not getting the correct care, but my barn is almost finished and I will look after them both myself. The farrier does wonders on my mini horse who has ringbone and he is a "natural farrior", but I think something is terribly wrong with the donkey's care, farrior related or not. I can try to get pictures in the next few days, but for now, I was just wandering if any one knows what I am talking about. I am sure it is a combo of things, like he needs more protien from grain, less hay, and more movement, but he does not show any lameness or soreness when I clean his feet or when he runs around. I am so frustrated.
Thanks, and Amos thank you too.