How to Trim Your Donkey's Hoofs

Donkeys are one of the hardiest members of the equine family, but they still need proper care to thrive. Donkeys need sturdy shelter, clean hay and water, and routine vet care to stay healthy. Hoof care is often overlooked by donkey owners, but routine trimming is necessary to prevent lameness. A trained farrier with knowledge of donkeys is your best bet for hoof care, but if your farrier is unavailable, you can trim them yourself.

Things You'll Need

  • Halter
  • Lead rope
  • Hoof pick
  • Hoof brush
  • Hoof nippers
  • Rasp
  • Treats or grain
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Instructions

    • 1

      Halter the donkey and tie it to a secure hitching post. If your donkey doesn't like to stand tied, ask a helper to hold the donkey while you trim its hooves.

    • 2

      Clean each hoof with a hoof pick. Pick out compacted dirt and manure, and brush off remaining debris with a hoof brush. Donkeys have extremely strong hooves, but may still contract fungus and thrush, so examine the hoof for soft or mushy spots after cleaning.

    • 3

      Stand near the donkey's left shoulder, facing toward the rear. Pick up the left hoof, and cradle it between your knees to secure the foot and steady the donkey as you trim.

    • 4

      Clip excess toe growth with a pair of hoof nippers. Hold the nippers in your hand, and gently trim away overgrowth from the front of the hoof. The angle of the donkey's toe should match the angle of the pastern, so trim the toe in short segments until the hoof aligns with the pastern when placed on flat ground.

    • 5

      File down rough edges with a rasp to even out and smooth the hoof. File from left to right across the bottom of the sole, working from the heel to the toe to keep the hoof wall an even thickness.

    • 6

      Trim the remaining three hooves, taking care to get all four feet even for proper movement. Give the donkey a treat or small bucket of grain to reward it for standing quietly during trimming.