Slimming success for Napoleon and Sam

Napoleon, 17, and 23-year-old Sam, who live at David Lewis Centre in Cheshire, tipped the scales at 244kg and 224kg respectively at their heaviest – more than 50kg above the expected weight for donkeys of their shape and size.

Donkey Welfare Adviser Keira Benham has been supporting Napoleon and Sam’s Guardian home since 2021 to help the two boys slim down to a safe size.

She says: “When I first met Napoleon and Sam, I instantly thought of some changes that could be implemented to improve their weight. It was quite obvious how large both donkeys were, and this posed a problem as they were quite wary of my presence as a stranger.

“It was very difficult to examine them because they would turn and use their weight to get out of anything they didn’t want to do.

“The Guardian home was very keen to address Napoleon and Sam’s weight issues. After sitting down with them, we drew up a plan of action which brought in all sorts of people from across the campus’ team of staff and residents.”

Encouraging movement

A new trough was constructed and placed in the Napoleon and Sam’s stable and fences were upgraded to stop them escaping. The donkeys were also given more space to move around in; a back paddock was opened up, allowing them to run around and explore.

“We felt that by using enrichment, we could encourage the boys to move more,” Keira explains. “Originally, the donkeys had a shelter and a square paddock to live in, and they were limited with the area they had.

“Now they enjoy a larger area of land, which serves as an interesting walking area. It’s also a perfect space to introduce new forms of enrichment.

“This parcel of land also contains trees and shrubs, which encourages their natural foraging behaviours and offers a more interesting environment to explore.”

Louise Worthington, Animal Technician at David Lewis Centre, says: “The boys would stand around in the square paddock before, but by opening up our back paddock, we see them running around and playing more.

“When we first introduced them to the paddock, they were like kids in a playground! They have enjoyed all sorts of enrichment in it too, including a water buffet – buckets of flavoured tea positioned around the paddock to give them choice on what they would like to drink.

“They loved the buffet, but less so when the ducks come along to have a drink too!”

Managing diets

With the boys moving around more, Keira set her attentions on the donkeys’ diets. She switched out Napoleon and Sam’s hay and straw with a zero-calorie processed straw substitute, with a sprinkle of forager pellets to add intrigue and fun at mealtimes.

“This change was implemented over a series of weeks to prevent any digestive issues,” Keira says. “This is done with any change of diet, and I was pleased to see Napoleon and Sam tucking into their new style of forage on my next visit.”

Hannah Lowrey, Farm Manager at David Lewis Centre, says: “They are such food-orientated donkeys; there was only the slightest bit of reluctance to eat their new food.

“Nowadays, they call twice a day – at 3pm and 3am – for their dinners.”

With the diet change, Keira faced a new challenge; tackling the donkeys’ behaviour. Napoleon was especially wary of new people, so work was needed to help rebuild his trust in humans.

Building confidence

The pair were also extremely fearful of cars, something the team at David Lewis Centre discovered when walking the donkeys around the main campus, which has roads used by its members.

“They were extremely skittish and would try to bolt; you’d have to walk around in a circle until they calmed down,” Hannah adds.

“With Keira’s help, they have come on massively, but they are still wary around vehicles and anything that doesn’t fall into their usual routine. We are continuing to work with them to build up their confidence.”

Keira’s behaviour-focused advice has been rolled out at David Lewis Centre by Louise and her colleague Louis.

“Everybody was so eager to assist, and it felt like this training gave a new lease of life to the home.

“The consistent day-in, day-out handling and fitting the donkeys with head collars regularly helped calm Napoleon and Sam’s anxiety and change their perceptions of certain scenarios that would have previously triggered their nerves.

“It’s been wonderful to witness the change in them both. They are more engaging and stand much calmer around new people.”

Training at Buxton Farm

The team at David Lewis Centre also visited our Buxton Farm site in the East Midlands to take part in a one-day course focused on all things donkey.

“It was an amazing day,” Hannah says. “We took some of our supported-employment residents along and we learnt a lot about donkey care and wellbeing. We were also educated about land management and tips and tricks about how to handle donkeys.

“By the end of the day, we felt massively more informed about donkeys, which going forward only benefitted Napoleon and Sam.”

Thriving in their forever home

Today, Napoleon and Sam are thriving under a consistent routine at David Lewis Centre. They now stand happily for regular checks and seek out the affection of the residents at the campus.

The donkeys provide therapeutic assistance to the centre’s residents, daily attendees and students, sharing a mutually beneficial relationship with residents.

They reap the rewards of daily care, affection and a safe home, while the centre’s residents gain companionship, stress relief and a joyful sense of community from their gentle presence.

And with winter fast approaching, Louise is pulling out the stops to ensure the donkeys remain happy and healthy during the colder months.

“We are more vigilant during the winter months,” Louise says. “Every morning we will take them a bucket of warm water, plus we are already planning what Christmas dinners they will be receiving – seasonal veg, some extra pellets and all their favourite treats!

“They are living such a good life here and we hope they will continue to enjoy their time with us, being looked after properly – and with lots of hugs!”

Keira adds: “My routine visits are now a pleasure because the boys want to be involved. They are much more inquisitive and relaxed; their ears are up and they are engaging with us.

“It’s been wonderful to see the success come from four years of hard work and consistent dedication by everyone involved.”