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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18 TheHorse.com THE HORSE March 2018 at their teeth," says Amy McLean, PhD, equine lecturer at the University of Cali- fornia, Davis, and board member of the American Mule Association. "I'd be curi- ous to know who's aging these animals." Donkeys that do make newspaper headlines with their age should, in any case, be considered the exception, says Alex Thiemann, MA, VetMB, Cert EP, MRCVS, veterinary surgeon at The Don- key Sanctuary, in Devon, U.K. They might live a few years longer than a horse, into their mid-30s. But, generally speaking, "owners should start to think of their average donkey (or mule) as being aged as of around 20 years," Thiemann says. Those that have had an active work life can go into retirement around this age, she says. However, owners can continue to ride or drive many of these animals at lower intensity levels well into retirement. Tough Little Guys Humanity has long considered longears hardier than other equids. And they are, when it comes to ailments such as infec- tious diseases and parasite infections, to which they're much more resistant, McLean says. "There are lot of diseases, like African horse sickness, for which they're carriers but never show clinical signs," she says. "And they're able to live with high levels of parasites. They can have higher fecal egg counts than horses but have a better body condition score." That reputation can be a double-edged sword, because many people assume they must be tough no matter the health issue. However, donkeys are very susceptible to dental issues, hoof ailments, and metabolic diseases, to name a few. Their apparent hardiness and their tendency to "suffer quietly" (see sidebar on next page) mean many owners overlook such issues. He's Still Got Some Bite (and Kick) Donkey or mules need regular dental and farrier visits "as much as horses do, but the general attitude is, 'Well it's a donkey/mule, so I don't have to do this,' whereas actually they do need it," McLean says. Both are critical to their health and welfare. Donkeys and mules should see a dentist every year, then twice a year as seniors, and they should get farrier care every six to eight weeks, just like a bare- foot horse. If that care has been neglected in the younger years, it's all the more important in old age. "Unfortunately, because many donkeys aren't ridden and don't get bits in their mouths, owners often neglect their teeth," Thiemann says. "So by the time they get to old age you see quite pronounced dis- placement of the molars, big overgrowths in the back or the front, maybe diastemas (gaps between teeth) and periodontal disease. Dental disease is a huge problem because it's hidden from the owner." Many donkeys get overfed and main- tain good body condition, she adds, often masking the effects of dental issues. "They go on eating grass like nothing's wrong when actually there's something really wrong," says McLean. A good hint that their teeth are suf- fering? Bad breath. If the donkey won't complain, the humans around him might because periodontal disease causes a particular odor, our sources say. And if it stinks, it's probably also really painful, no matter how comfortable the donkey or mule might appear. "Pretty much every aging donkey will have severe dental disease, so that has to be managed," Thiemann says. Donkey and mule feet grow, crack, and get diseased just like horse feet do. So don't skip regular farriery. Unfortunately, many farriers would rather not do donkey feet, Thiemann says. "Donkeys don't always behave well for farriers because they're not trained and manipulated on a regular basis like horses often are, so it can be tricky getting a farrier willing to work on them." If that's the case, the feet can "grow to extraordinary lengths" by old age, she says. Be kind to your farrier: Make sure you're training your donkey or mule to co- operate during regular foot care, she says. Topline Trouble The classic image of the aging donkey (or mule) gives him a swayback look, Long in the ... EARS Donkey and mule hooves grow, crack, and get diseased just like horses' feet do and require regular trimming. Donkeys, which have longer backs and loins than horses, lose their topline quickly as they age. Note the characteristic sway back and low belly of 32-year-old "Abby." PAM MACKENZIE PHOTOS