At Avon Ridge Equine Veterinary Services, we know that donkeys are not small horses.

They have different:

• Physiology and metabolism

• Hoof and dental anatomy

• Behaviour and stress responses

• Ways of showing pain and illness

This means their health care must be designed specifically for donkeys, using appropriate reference ranges, management strategies, and medication protocols. Standard “horse” approaches — for blood tests, radiographs, sedation, laminitis management, colic, and metabolic disease — do not always apply safely to donkeys.

Donkeys are also exceptionally stoic. They often hide discomfort and adapt quietly, so problems are frequently advanced by the time obvious signs appear. That’s why experienced, donkey-savvy veterinary assessment is so important.

We offer a full range of donkey-specific health assessments and ongoing care, with a strong focus on prevention, subtle changes, and welfare.

🫏 Donkey Wellness & Preventative Care Examinations

Regular check-ups are one of the kindest things you can do for your donkey.

Our wellness exams are tailored to donkeys and may include:

• Full physical examination using donkey-specific normal ranges

• Body condition and fat distribution assessment (using a donkey BCS system)

• Hoof and mobility assessment

• Behaviour, handling, and stress assessment

• Parasite control, vaccination and preventative care planning

• Metabolic and endocrine screening where indicated (e.g. EMS, PPID)

We pay close attention to subtle signs – small changes in behaviour, appetite, movement, or interaction that may be the only early clues something is wrong.

🐾 Hoof, Lameness & Laminitis Assessments

Donkey feet are structurally and mechanically different to horse feet, and their laminitis behaves differently too.

We offer:

• Hoof conformation and balance assessments

• Lameness evaluations tailored to donkey behaviour

• Radiographs interpreted using donkey-specific measurements

• Laminitis diagnosis and long-term management planning

• Close collaboration with experienced farriers

Because donkeys often show only quiet changes (shorter steps, more lying down, “just a bit slow”), early assessment is crucial.

⚖️ Body Condition & Metabolic Health

Donkeys are evolutionarily designed to survive on very little. In modern management, that means they gain weight easily, and can rapidly develop:

• Regional fat pads (neck, back, rump, around organs)

• Insulin dysregulation and EMS

• Increased risk of laminitis and hyperlipemia

We use donkey-specific body condition scoring and provide practical, realistic feeding and management plans to keep your donkey at a safe weight.

💙 Quality of Life & Senior Donkey Assessments

Donkeys often live into their 30s and beyond. With age, they may develop chronic pain, dental wear, arthritis, endocrine disease, or organ dysfunction — often with very subtle outward signs.

Our senior and quality-of-life assessments look at:

• Mobility and comfort

• Appetite, weight and muscle mass

• Behaviour and interaction

• Ability to lie down, rest and rise

• Response to farriery, handling and routine procedures

We use structured tools to help monitor changes over time and support kind, welfare-based decision making.

Specialist Support — Working Closely With Dr Guy Lester

At Avon Ridge Equine, we are very fortunate to work in close collaboration with Dr Guy Lester, a highly respected internal medicine specialist with extensive experience in donkey health and medicine.

Dr Lester has been involved in the management of many complex donkey cases over the years and is always happy to discuss diagnosis, treatment planning, ongoing care, welfare considerations and medical decision-making for donkeys under our care. This collaborative approach means your donkey benefits from both general practice care and specialist-level medical guidance when needed — all coordinated calmly and respectfully.

Dr Lester bring a wealth of specialist experience for our donkey patients

Whether it’s chronic illness, weight or nutrition issues, gastrointestinal problems, respiratory disease or simply questions about ageing donkeys, our close working relationship with Dr Lester ensures donkey owners feel supported and never alone in navigating their donkey’s health needs.

🤝 Gentle, Donkey-Savvy Handling

Good handling is not optional in donkey care — it’s essential for welfare and safety.

We understand that donkeys are cautious, intelligent prey animals with excellent memories, and we tailor our approach accordingly. We:

• Use calm, low-stress handling techniques

• Encourage owners to build handling skills well before vet or farrier visits

• Use appropriate sedation when needed, rather than forcing through fear or pain

• Are happy to guide owners on positive, reward-based handling strategies

Why choose us for your donkey?

• We treat donkeys as a species in their own right, not small horses

• We use donkey-specific reference ranges and protocols

• We have extensive clinical experience with metabolic, laminitis, dental, hoof, and welfare issues in donkeys

• We focus on early detection of subtle changes and long-term welfare

• We offer compassionate, low-stress, evidence-based care

Join our herd! Free, vet-approved donkey advice delivered to your inbox