Mini Donkey question..

[Maybeapril]

My mini donkey seems to be shedding really slow. My horse has almost completely shed out and I'm getting a worried about the little guy. Is this normal for them to be slow shedders?

[ywilkins]

Hi, I have a total of four little critters. The older two take a very long time to shed out (hardly totally). The two younger ones shed are almost done shedding out now. We are in PA. Not sure if this helps, good luck!

[MEP]

Mine start shedding very slowly in February/March and don't really finish until the middle or end of July - no kidding. They have a summer coat for about 3 weeks in August and then start putting in their fall/winter coat. Donkeys don't shed twice a year like horses do so while it might seem strange if your horses seem almost shed out and the donks are still very, very hairy now in mid-May, in my experience it's quite normal.


In the spring time, I always tell people that the donks look like moths have been chewing on them, but that they're just shedding out in their own donkey way.

[draftdriver]

You don't say where you're located or how warm it is now. Where I am, we're still getting frost at night. My donkey is just starting to shed, and this is normal for her. She will have a nice, short coat for July, and start to get her winter coat in late August.

[Maybeapril]

MEP thanks, that makes me feel better. He seems like he feels great and it's not bothering him. I did think about body clipping him, but he would have none of that! My sweet horse (Quincy) stands there like a perfect gentleman to be clipped and the donkey (Woody) runs around in circles worrying about Quincy while I clip him.
Oh I'm in Mississippi, so it is pretty HOT. Although it has been chilly the past couple of days (in the 60's and 40's at night.)

[chai]

Maybeapril, I have two mini donks and had a standard donk for 18 years. They do tend to shed out later than the horses, and when they start to shed, it seems like it comes out all at once.

[asb_own_me]

My boys are still hairy little beasts and the horses are almost completely shed out. I'm in central Iowa.

[MEP]

. I did think about body clipping him, but he would have none of that! My sweet horse (Quincy) stands there like a perfect gentleman to be clipped and the donkey (Woody) runs around in circles worrying about Quincy while I clip him.


I've clipped two out of my current 4 donks - for shows or for parades and stuff like that. They can learn that the clippers won't kill them, but like all things with donks, you have to spend the time convincing them that it's ok. I've found that bribery goes a long way with them. They'll do almost anything for a cookie.

When the farrier comes for trim-time, they certainly know who he is and are very anxious for him to leave - (that's when they get their cookie reward). One of the boys came to me as a jack (not gelded) and feet untrimmed (maybe even never trimmed). His first trim took place when he was on his back after being gelded (poor guy). After that it took me quite a while working with him to pick up and clean his feet. Then we went through the farrier & trimming him. He eventually got to be pretty good about it - always getting his cookie when he was good. Then one day I was completely astonished to walk in the barn to find the farrier was already working on him - with no-one holding him and even without a halter!!! :eek: I can promise you that this never would have happened without the cookie bribe! ;) I was so proud of both of them! :lol:

[tazz001]

My lil ladies have just started shedding out. I swear that it comes out in handfuls once it starts. Poor ol fat Marcy sheds so quick she is almost bald for a week. She has always been like that. Donks just seem to take longer to get started and them it becomes a hair blizzard.

[Elmstead]

My two geldings shed very slowly too. They never really look as slick as the horses....their coats are much more course and wooly. Of course, I don't spend hours grooming them either. hmmm.

On the plus side, they seem totally unimpressed by flies, etc. I think their coats are so thick that the flies and mosquitos ca't get to the skin. The horses, on the other hand, must have lots of fly spray on when they are turned out...or they go nuts!

Regardless, the little wooly boogers are getting their annual soap baths this weekend! They love grooming. Water...not so much.

[Watermark Farm]

Our mule sheds out very late, as in early July. He has a great summer coat for a few weeks then starts growing his winter one again. A local mule trainer told me it's fairly normal for mules, and that's why you see so many body-clipped at summer shows.
Still....I'm going to test this guy for Cushings this year, just to be safe.

[LMH]

I have 2 minis and they shed late as well.

Seems you have no worries!:D

[billie]

We have two and they do shed out significantly later than the horses. According to the breeder, this is normal. The one good thing is that all their fur seems to keep them safe from the spring/early summer pests. :)

[SpecialEffects]

Mine start shedding very slowly in February/March and don't really finish until the middle or end of July - no kidding. They have a summer coat for about 3 weeks in August and then start putting in their fall/winter coat. Donkeys don't shed twice a year like horses do so while it might seem strange if your horses seem almost shed out and the donks are still very, very hairy now in mid-May, in my experience it's quite normal.


In the spring time, I always tell people that the donks look like moths have been chewing on them, but that they're just shedding out in their own donkey way.

Exactly!