Feeding Our Long-Eared Friends
The most important thing about feeding donkeys and mules is to feed them like donkeys and mules — not horses. They are remarkably more efficient animals, and a normal diet for a horse will likely result in an overweight donkey (or mule).
The Ins & Outs of Feeding Donkeys
Like horses, donkeys are hindgut fermenters and foragers that rely on small, consistent amounts of fibrous plants for nutrition and healthy digestion. The major difference is that they are more efficient animals.
More on Feeding DonkeysBuild the Perfect Supplement Plan
Step 1: Choose the Right Wellness Formula
Supplement for All Classes of Horses
Platinum Performance® Equine Wellness and Performance Formula is a comprehensive nutritional foundation formula for all horses.
Step 2: Choose Additional Formulas for Targeted Support
A Daily Probiotic to Maintain Equine Digestive Health
This daily probiotic formula provides both prebiotics and probiotics to support digestion and hindgut health. The prebiotics nourish the "good" bacteria in the gut, and support the digestion of fiber.
Joint Support Formula with Hyaluronic Acid for Horses in Competition
Platinum Joint Care Competition + HA supports healthy joints and also helps maintain the synovial fluid that lubricates the joints.
A Healthy Source of Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, Healthy Weight is supportive in many ways including skin, coat, gastric, and muscle health. For horses that need to gain weight, Healthy Weight provides calories in addition to forage. It is made from flax oil, a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, which makes it a healthy alternative to corn oil.
Marvels of the Mule
Mules are both enduring and surprising, with immense versatility as athletes and a sure-footedness that lends them to hard work and difficult terrain. While they may be sturdy, they require nutritional support to remain sound and able to perform at their best.
More About Nutrition for Mules
“The biggest problem currently presenting itself is that we’re overdoing it with the wrong nutrition while underdelivering the right nutrition for mules and donkeys.”More from Dr. McLean
— Amy McLean, PhD, Assistant Professor of Teaching Equine Science, UC Davis Animal Science
It Starts Within Podcast
Inside The World of Mules and Donkeys
So much more than the work animals we’ve known them to be throughout history, Dr. Amy McLean helps us discover the surprising athletic versatility, charming personalities as well as feeding and care nu- ances of these beloved long-eared animals.
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