With the early arrival of snow last week, I decided it was the right time to get the donkeys’ stabling ‘winter ready’. The drop in temperatures, sleet, snow and ice were a sharp reminder that winter is well and truly on its way, after an incredibly hot summer and an unseasonably warm Autumn.

Unlike my miniature Shetland ponies who grow a dense, double coat that provides insulation against the harsh winter weather, the donkeys’ hair is significantly lighter, shorter and thinner. Donkeys’ coats are not waterproof like the Shetlands, and therefore extra care needs to be taken to ensure that they don’t get wet as, getting wet and cold, can be detrimental to their health.

I am lucky enough to have three stables, two of which are a standard size and the third being almost twice as big. I decided to transform the large stable into the donkey’s winter haven, as it provides them ample space to move around in when the weather turns wet, preventing them from being outdoors. The stable has the added bonus of a large concrete hardstanding with an overhang, keeping the outdoor area relatively sheltered and dry, thus enabling the donkeys to stretch their legs and get some fresh air, even if they don’t want to venture further.

I ordered enough thick, stable mats to cover most of the stable floor, as these provide warmth and comfort for the donkeys when they lie down. The mats are extremely heavy, but I have found that buying thinner ones is a complete waste of money. My donkeys are strong, despite being miniatures, and they can pick the thin mats up, chew them and throw them around the stable with ease, making mucking out a nightmare - trust me on this I have fallen for their antics in the past and now only ever buy good quality, thick stable mats!

The mats were laid - this was the best workout ever; you don’t need a gym when you own equines! A layer of good quality shavings was added to absorb the donkeys’ urine, and this was topped with a deep bed of straw. The donkeys love to eat straw as well as bed down on it, so I always make sure they have plenty, and top it up as and when necessary. Next, I added hay to their feed trough and a bucket of fresh water. Donkeys are known to refuse water that is not fresh, even to the extent of becoming dehydrated, so it is paramount that fresh water is offered daily. When the weather is particularly cold donkeys prefer warm water and mine are even partial to peppermint tea!

Adding Chopped Carrots to a Treat Ball

Shavings, Mats and Straw for Bedding

A few boredom busting treats and toys were added which included hanging things from the stable rafters, at a safe height, for the donkeys to forage, without them becoming entangled. Treat balls containing chopped carrots or apple and a couple of hay balls all provide stimulation and enrichment, especially if the donkeys are inside for any length of time.

Although I do own rugs for my donkeys I have yet to use them. This is because rugs can cause more problems than they solve. Rugs are good to use on old animals or those who have been unwell, hence why I have them available if needed, however, excessive use of rugs on young, fit and healthy animals is not recommended. Rugs can prevent the animal from self regulating their body temperature and they can be a breeding ground for mites, therefore it is important to think carefully about if, and when, to use them. Donkeys, with a clean, dry stable, which allows them to shelter from the elements, is the best option.

A couple of hours later, the stable was ready for them and I can honestly say it was worth every minute getting it ready - they love it!


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