Donkey and mule nutrition essentials 

Donkeys require high fibre diets to help maintain digestive system function and health. In their natural environment, donkeys would forage for tough grasses and low-lying shrubs. These types of plants are low in protein. This is an important factor to consider when considering what to feed donkeys, as they have adapted a mechanism to ‘recycle’ the building blocks of proteins (amino acids) in a way that horses do not. Ideally, they should have little to no high energy grasses e.g., ryegrass which is common in UK pastures.  

Donkeys should be fed high quality, dust free barley straw as their main source of forage. Mules and hinnies may benefit from small amounts of hay that is also low protein, low sugar and high dry matter (the proportion of the hay that is fibrous). All forages (grass, hay, haylage and straw) are deficient in key vitamin and minerals donkeys require to maintain essential body functions and keep them in good health. Donkeys should be provided with a vitamin and mineral supplement to balance their diet. Some feed companies offer a bespoke donkey feed balancer. Some horse supplements may be suitable for donkeys provided they are low protein. As mules and hinnies are donkey x horse hybrids, they may have a slightly higher protein requirement, especially if they are in ridden or driven work. We advise that you check with the manufacturer of any supplements marketed for horses to see if they are suitable for donkeys and/or mules prior to use.  

Donkeys, mules and hinnies are also browsers who eat low lying shrubs and branches. To enrich their diet and add something different to their environment, you can provide donkey-safe shrubs, such as gorse, and branches from trees, such as willow or hazel.  

Behaviour considerations 

When considering how to present forage to donkeys and their hybrids, it’s important to consider whether your chosen method will allow them to eat communally with their companion or a small group. This can include the use of slow feeders that are big enough to share and that help regulate intake that are close to one another so that they can eat in proximity to one another. The same principle applies to any food or browse based enrichment provided, is there enough space and resource for the whole group?  

Providing donkeys with an appropriate diet is vitally important to promote not only good health, but a positive mental state. To find out more about how nutrition, health, the physical environment and behavioural interactions affect mental state, please see our 5 domains for animal welfare advice page. 

Donkey and mule weight management 

As previously mentioned, pastures in the UK oversupply sugar which can lead to weight gain in donkeys and mules. This has serious health implications so it’s important to consider how you can limit your donkey or mule’s grass intake. Our Weight management strategies for overweight horses guidance can also be applied to donkeys. These strategies include use of slow feeders, strip grazing, use of track systems and how to introduce gentle exercise. For weight loss, the donkey or mule needs to be in a calorie deficit. This means that they need to burn more calories than they eat. So, if you do start increasing your donkeys exercise, try not to be tempted to feed them more.  

For donkeys and mules that need to maintain or gain weight, always start with a balanced diet and then consider they need any additional feed. For further guidance on working out what feed your donkey or mule might need, please see our What should I feed my horse? advice page.   

Our international team supports donkey, mule and horse health around the world by working with partner organisations to ensure working equids have their nutritional needs met. You can find out more about each of our projects on our Where are we helping horses? page.