Small update on the donkeys. Itās been about two weeks that Iāve had the donkeys. Jefferson has allowed me to halter him, and even though it appears heās never been lead properly or tied, he allowed me to tie him long enough to bathe him. Iāve since done one session of just haltering and working on a little pressure and release since he seems to tolerate being fussed over. Iām going to do more this weekend but itās raining today so I guess Iāll have to wait.
I havenāt rushed out to get a separate pen set up, mostly because Iāve noticed some positive changes for both my donkeys. Jefferson who is still pretty skinny in the hips has been on 1.5 cups safechoice senior twice a day. Iām going to start tapering down his evening meal in the next few weeks, heās already got much better coverage over his ribs so I think heās on the right trajectory. Charlie, my chunky paint donkey is getting 1/2 cup pity feed twice a day. They also get 2 flakes coastal Bermuda hay once or twice a day depending on how they finish up the last batch. Iāve noticed Charlieās neck improving, it was thick all the way down when he got here, now the top 5 inches is considerably thinner.
This could be because he has an acre pasture to roam and I see them doing laps pretty frequently (instead of standing in one place eating hay like at the rescue). They also gave them grain I believe, and I think he was one of the ones adept at moving other donkeys out of the way to eat more than he needed. I also did some research on the pasture grass, and my pasture is mostly Bahia grass, which apparently is (generally) lower in sugar and protein than other grasses. Eventually I do want to have a dry lot somewhere on the property but I think Iām safe just watching how they go for now. They love cuddles, and scratches and Charlie will let me pick up his feet so I think weāre off to a good start.
Hereās Jefferson after his bath, asking me where Iām going and why Iām not giving him more scritches.