Winter enrichment at our sanctuaries

Donkeys love the warmth and sunshine of summer, but for many of the donkeys in our direct sanctuary care, cooler winter temperatures are inevitable.

Equine Behaviourist Martha Payne explains: “Providing activities and spending time with them each day helps to enrich their lives and improve their mental wellbeing when they will be spending more time sheltered indoors.

“As winter approaches, a lack of enrichment could heighten their anxiety and lead to unwanted behaviours during regular grooming sessions or visits from the vet.

“If donkeys are not kept busy, their pent-up energy can make routine procedures, such as dental check-ups and hoof trims, particularly difficult to conduct.”

Time for tea

Our elderly groups require more frequent trims and check-ups, so they benefit greatly from discovering suitable treats like herbal teas and blackcurrant-flavoured warm water.

The warm water not only encourages them to drink and stay hydrated but giving them something new and different stimulates their natural curiosity.

To enhance the enrichment further, Martha and our farm grooms in Ireland sprinkle herbs and spices into a bucket of warm water to tempt their taste buds.

This treats both the donkeys’ taste and smell and is a very cost-effective way to enrich their lives during the winter season.

Inspiring confidence 

Enrichment can also be a great way to help some donkeys cope with challenges and be calmer. 

During one enrichment session at our Ireland sanctuary, our team were surprised when a donkey named Chester, who is usually quite nervous, confidently approached the bucket, sparking curiosity among the rest of the group.  

As they all began to venture towards the bucket, they discovered they quite liked what they had found. 

Martha adds: “However, food and drink isn’t always suitable to provide as enrichment as some donkeys may be on a strict diet. 

“Placing mirrors in their space is another great way to help build confidence. It’s important to closely supervise the group when using mirrors to ensure their safety.   

“These simple but effective enrichment activities are easy to introduce and help to keep donkeys alert during the indoor months.”