The Horse:Your Guide To Equine Health Care provides monthly equine health care information to horse owners, breeders, veterinarians, barn/farm managers, trainer/riding instructors, and others involved in the hands-on care of the horse.
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16 TheHorse.com THE HORSE March 2018 CHRISTA LESTÉ-LASSERRE, MA Y ou know Brighty, right? Who doesn't love that sweet Grand Canyon burro made famous in the 1953 Marguerite Henry novel and as a Breyer model? Now imagine the delightful little silver donkey in his golden years. Still loved, still just as joyful and adorable. But, well, … old. Do his ears droop? Maybe a little. Is his coat shaggier and his belly rounder? Probably. Are his teeth longer, diseased, and even a little smelly? Most likely. Does he moan and complain about all his old-man aches and pains? Not so much. Donkeys and mules go through the same growing pains of entering old age as other equids. Many of their ailments are the same as those we see in horses. A few are slightly different. But because of their reputation for robustness, their ability to become fat eating just about anything, and their tendency to hide discomfort, the longer-eared equids often get less attention in old age than horses and ponies do. But, say our sources, they need it every bit as much. And in some ways even more. Long-Lived Longears Donkeys and mules are known for longevity. There are stories of don- keys living past 50, for example. But the truth of those claims is question- able, say two donkey specialists. "Donkey teeth age differently from horse teeth, so a lot of times that can skew the aging estimates when looking They might keep a brave face, but aging mules and donkeys need just as much careful management as horses—if not more EARS LONG IN THE …