LMF F EED N EWS
NUTRITION
IS THE
KEY
TO
SUCCESS
FEEDING MULES AND DONKEYS
DR. TANIA CUBITT—PERFORMANCE HORSE NUTRITION
Mules & donkeys are members
of the equine family along with
horses, ponies, zebras. Most
people think you can feed
them a diet similar to horses
but in lower quantity. Donkeys
however
have
unique
evolutionary traits that make
them
anatomically
and
behaviorally distinct. Donkeys
are highly adaptable feeders
that if given the opportunity
will consume a variety of
different grasses and shrubs to
obtain sufficient nutrients. It is
generally accepted that the
donkey can exist with less food
than a horse. Donkeys and
mules can utilize more mature,
less digestible, more fibrous
plant material than a horse.
They are able metabolize their
feed very efficiently and can be
overfed very easily. The
donkeys’ efficient utilization of
food makes them "easy
keepers." However, don’t let
the term misguide, you. It is
important to take care in
determining when and how
much to feed a donkey.
Obesity is a major concern in
modern domesticated donkeys
and mules.
Forage
Studies have shown that
donkeys voluntarily consume
much less forage compared to
horses; 1.5% of body weight
(BW) for donkeys compared to
3.1% of BW for horses. The
donkeys heightened ability to
digest low quality forage has
been likened to that of a goat.
It is important not to provide
pasture that is lush and
nutrient dense. Low-quality
pasture grasses are adequate.
Mules are not quite as efficient
as donkeys but are much more
efficient than horses. There is
limited information about
protein
requirements
for
donkeys but researchers have
suggested that they are very
efficient in the utilization of
dietary protein. It has also
been suggested that donkeys
have a 20% lower digestible
energy
requirement
than
horses. Good grass hay is
adequate for donkeys. Legume
hay such as alfalfa is not
recommended for the same
reason that lush pasture is not
good for
donkeys. The
digestibility is very high as is
the energy and nutrient
content. Donkeys and mules
are prone to obesity and will
develop laminitis if they are
given access to lush pastures
such as spring and fall pasture.
Concentrate
While grass and hay is most
often sufficient to supply the
maintenance requirements for
most donkeys and mules,
additional supplementation in
the form of concentrate feeds
may be needed when donkeys
cannot eat sufficient forage to
meet nutrient requirements.
Classes of donkeys and mules
that need concentrate feeding
include those that are
working heavily, pregnant,
lactating, growing or senior.
The amount of concentrate
that should be provided is
determined by the BW and
physiological state of the
animal.
Water
The donkey has the ability to
continue eating for several
days when deprived of
drinking water. It has been
suggested that donkeys have
the ability to conserve
internal water stores and
avoid thirst by reducing
sweating for temperature
control and reducing the
amount of water lost in
manure. Donkeys have the
lowest water requirements
of all domestic animals with
the exception of camels.
Under hot conditions (85°F
to 100°F) donkeys consumed
water at a rate of 9% of BW
per day. Under cooler
conditions
donkeys
consumed water at a rate of
4-5% of their BW per day.
Nutritional Disorders
Obesity is the biggest
challenge
facing
most
non-working donkeys and
mules kept in areas of the
world where food sources
are abundant and of good
quality. Emaciation is very
common in most areas
where donkeys are used
heavily for work and food is
scarce and of poor quality.
Body
condition
scoring
donkeys is very similar to
condition scoring horses
using a 1 to 9 scoring system
where 1 is emaciated and 9
is obese). Donkeys tend to
accumulate fat on the neck,
on either side of the chest
wall giving a saddlebag
appearance and around the
buttocks. Several studies in
horses and ponies have
clearly shown that regional
fat deposited on the
neck of the animal
indicated a higher
risk for developing
metabolic challenges such as insulin
resistance and laminitis.
Donkeys
frequently accumulate fat on their
necks and are at
high risk of insulin resistance
and laminitis.
Practical Feeding Strategies
Donkeys and mules that are
not doing any work should
be able to meet all of their
nutrient requirements from
good grass hay fed at a rate
of 1.5% of BW and a low
intake ration balancer pellet
such
as
LMF
Super
Supplement G. If the donkey
or mule is overweight then
this amount should be
decreased to 1.2% of BW. In
severe cases with the
guidance of a veterinarian or
nutritionist this can be
reduced to 1% of BW.
Working,
lactating
or
growing animals may need
additional concentrate. Due
to the donkeys increased
ability to metabolize energy
and protein it is important
that we do not feed
concentrates that are high in
these nutrients. LMF Feeds
offers an excellent option for
feeding donkeys to avoid
obesity and maintain health.
LMF Super Supplement G is
ideal for most donkeys and
mules.