Foot care

Foot disease is commonly seen in donkeys but in many cases the conditions identified can be prevented by regular foot care and good husbandry.

Donkeys should have their feet picked out daily and should have their feet trimmed every 6-10 weeks. Their diet should be appropriately managed to avoid excessive weight gain, which can result in the development of laminitis.

Donkeys are very stoic so may only show subtle signs of foot pain particularly if they are only ever seen in the field. This is very evident with weight shifting where they may show no signs in the field but will show obvious weight shifting when observed on hard standing.

One of the main signs of foot pain is increased time lying down so this should not be seen as normal behaviour in elderly donkeys.

Prevention

The prevention of hoof disorders relies on the following throughout the life of the donkey:

• Appropriate nutrition and maintenance of a healthy body condition score (2.5 – 3)
• Regular foot care and farriery appropriate to the specific needs of the donkey
• A dry, clean environment, including stabling and exercise area
• Prompt attention as soon as signs of lameness are seen.

Donkeys are different

The donkey’s foot is structurally and anatomically different to that of a horse, which has implications for routine farriery and for the diagnosis and treatment of common foot conditions such as laminitis and seedy toe:

• The foot is more upright and has a cylindrical rather than conical shape
• Viewed from the solar surface the hoof is U-shaped rather than oval and the sole does not flake away so needs to be trimmed to create a concave sole
• The third phalanx (P3) sits more distally within the hoof capsule resulting in a larger distance between the coronary band and the extensor process of P3
• The point of frog does not extend as far dorsally.

Sharing expertise

The Donkey Sanctuary veterinary team, alongside experienced qualified farriers, provide practical training to farrier apprentices at various colleges and are happy to host qualified farriers who would like to get some donkey experience. The team are also happy to offer advice to vets and farriers in practice.