![]() ![]() It is amazing how many people in the rural West of the USA still believe that donkeys do not need a shelter. ![]() Shelter A carport-like shelter that provides shade and protection from light rain when there is no wind. Just add some more holes so any rain or snow water will drain and leave the hay dry. And if you find that your water trough develops a leak after years of usage, you can still use it as a ground feeder! That pertains to both metal and structural foam ones. Make sure you always keep your water trough clean, rinse out dirty leftover water (especially after windy days) and scrub the bottom and insides of the trough from time to time to take off any accumulated algae. If you have (or plan to get) more donkeys, estimate accordingly! There are tubs and tanks that hold 40, 75 100 or even 150 gallons. 6-8 gallons of water per day, depending on his or her size, the temperatures and the amount of exercise the donkey has in a day, a 25-gallon tub would be convenient for 2 donkeys and you wouldn’t even have to fill it all the way to the rim. And you want to give them access to fresh water 24/7. On the other hand, the trough shouldn’t be too small, either, or else you’ll have to refill every few hours if you don’t want the donkeys to get thirsty. Donkeys should always have fresh water, so their water trough shouldn’t be too big, or if it is, it shouldn’t be filled all the way up to the rim, or else the water will turn stale or dirty after a while and you’ll either have to toss it out (waste) or they’ll be drinking nasty water. For horses in harder work, particularly in warmer temperatures when sweating is profuse, a balanced electrolyte supplement is a better option, but do check with your own vet.The next question then is, what size water trough do you need? Well, naturally that will depend on the number of donkeys you are planning to get. Offering 1-2 tablespoons daily will help replace sodium and chloride lost during moderate exercise during cooler months. If you use table salt, one tablespoon is about 25g. It is more difficult to judge intake if salt is provided ad lib, in the form of a salt lick or block. Ensure that the paste delivers at least 20g of electrolytes in a single dose.Ī small amount of table salt (sodium chloride) added to the feed may be sufficient for a horse in very light work (see guide, right). If he stops eating during a competition, try using an electrolyte paste. If your horse prefers to drink from his field’s water trough once turned out, offer water from a bucket straight after exercise to familiarise him with the idea of drinking wherever he stands. ![]() By experimenting at home, you’ll find ways to tempt him. Eating and drinkingĪ horse may refuse to drink during a competition, or while staying away, so encourage him by taking water from home that has a known taste - or add a small amount of apple juice to the bucket or offer the water left over from soaked sugar beet. If the horse then drinks, but only replenishes the lost water, the levels of sodium will be diluted - although he will no longer have the desire to drink, he will now be electrolyte deficient. When water is lost from the body, sodium levels increase - activating the thirst regulator. Over-supplementation is very rare, however, and deficiency more common.Įlectrolytes are required, in combination with water, to hold water in the cells. If he is drinking a lot more than this, and producing more urine than normal, the electrolyte intake may be too high - a horse can store a certain level in his body, but not an excess. Water worksĮnsure that a clean, fresh supply of drinking water is available at all times, especially if you are adding electrolyte supplements to your horse’s feed.Īn average horse in moderate work, in warm temperatures, should be drinking around 30 litres of water every 24 hours. Therefore, it’s sensible to consult your vet before adding electrolyte supplementation to your horse’s diet. Just as a deficiency can result in digestion problems, a sudden loading of electrolytes can cause disturbances of the hindgut.
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