Donkey Diet
A specific, cereal free diet for donkeys, designed to be low in energy and protein but high in fibre. The ration is fully fortified to optimise body condition and health without providing excessive nutrients that can be detrimental to donkeys.
Donkeys have evolved to survive in some of the harshest environments. They are adapted to marginal desert lands where they browsed large plains that were devoid of lush vegetation. They survived on a diet that was highly fibrous and consisted of low quality roughages. Their digestive systems are highly efficient at digesting these fibrous feeds, absorbing and utilizing the available nutrients.
Donkeys have much lower energy and nutrient requirements compared to horses and ponies. Normal healthy donkeys will do perfectly well on forage alone; however there may be specific instances where supplementary feeding is necessary. Traditionally, donkeys have been fed diets that are formulated to meet the nutritional requirements of adult horses and ponies. Typically, for the majority of donkeys, this leads to a high intake of energy and protein, leading to weight gain, obesity and, in serious cases,the onset of laminitis.
Saracen Horse Feeds have combined their expertise with the UK's leading care provider for donkeys to formulate a specific diet intended for donkeys who require supplementary feeding. In the case of older donkeys, donkeys that are working or lactating or for those who are difficult to keep condition on, Donkey Diet will help to ensure that they remain in good body condition.
Donkey Diet is based on digestible fibre sources to provide a source of 'safer' calories rather than using cereals and starch. Donkey Diet contains quality protein sources for optimum cell, tissue and muscle repair, whilst a full spectrum of vitamins and minerals helps to support metabolic systems and healthy hoof and coat. The high-fibre and low-energy formulation makes Donkey Diet suitable to be fed to donkeys that are prone to laminitis or metabolic syndrome.
Older donkeys with poor teeth may find chewing long fibre sources, such as hay, more difficult. Donkey Diet can be soaked into a soft and palatable mash, which can help to maintain fibre intake and ensure healthy digestive function.
Donkey Diet is not designed to replace 100% of the donkey's forage requirement, and short chopped forage sources should be fed in conjunction with Donkey Diet.
- Specifically designed nutrition for donkeys
- Low energy feed
- High in digestible fibre providing a safe source of calories
- Can be soaked into a soft and palatable mash for donkeys with poor dentition
- Fortified with vitamins, minerals and trace elements
- Specifically suited for older donkeys, working or lactating donkeys, and those that are difficult to keep condition on
150 - 200 kg bodyweight = 500 à 750 gr per day*
> 200 kg bodyweight = 1 - 1,5 kg per day*
*Donkeys should eat 1.5% of their bodyweight as total dry matter for maintenance (forage and concentrate). At least 75% of this total ration should consist of a clean forage source.
E.g. a 200 kg donkey would be fed 2.25 kg forage and 0.75 kg Donkey Diet.
Nutritional Analysis
- Oil: 3.5%
- Protein: 9.5%
- Fibre: 20.5%
- Starch: 12%
- Vitamine A: 11.500 IU/kg
- Vitamin D3: 1.150 IU/kg
- Vitamin E: 140 IU/kg
- Selenium: 0.70 mg/kg
- Est. digestible energy: 10.9 MJ/kg
Ingredients
Oatfeed, Wheatfeed, Sunflower Extract, Molasses, Calcium Carbonate, Sodium Chloride, Full Fat Linseed Meal, Soya Bean Meal, Vitamins, Soya Oil, Minerals, Mint
Traditional but innovative
Saracen is an independent, family owned business with more than 170 years of experience in manufacturing animal feeds. The company takes pride in its traditional family heritage, and stays true to the founding values of trust, integrity, quality, and commitment to exceptional customer service.
In challenging environments, Saracen continues to combine these values with modern manufacturing capabilities and innovative, research-led formulations keep the company at the forefront of modern feed manufacture.
Wide range
With its range of feeds, Saracen has brought together the everyday items needed for feeding different types of horses in varying stages of life and activity, growth and development. The feeds continue to provide the top quality nutrition you expect from Saracen, and it doesn’t have to be expensive. When fed correctly, Saracen products can be very cost effective due to their nutrient density.
Quality control
Saracen is dedicated to producing nutritionally sound, innovative rations and providing customers with an accessible and personal service. The company sets itself the highest of standards in quality control. Annual quality audits determine continued compliance to UFAS (United Feed Assurance Scheme) and BETA NOPS Code of Practice. Saracen has an "open declaration" policy, which means that every ingredient is declared on the feed labels. Saracen also works to fixed formulations to protect the integrity and quality of its diets.
Personal
Feeding a horse properly doesn’t have to be difficult or complicated as long as you keep your nutritional goals in mind. Saracen is here to help you understand how to achieve those goals with the correct products and feeding strategies: simple, practical solutions that make sense. Saracen has a professional, well-qualified and understanding team of people on its staff who work hard to listen to your horse’s nutritional requirements, and to your ambitions.
You can request advice and a free no obligation "Feed Check" with the Saracen Feed Advice Form, or use our interactive Ration Consultant, to find out if the diet you are feeding your horse is meeting his nutrient requirements.
The consultant will ask you questions on your horse and their routine and will help you to understand if/where their diet is lacking in essential vitamins and minerals.
Partnership with Kentucky Equine Research (KER)
Saracen Horse Feeds Ltd. has always been dedicated to producing nutritionally sound, innovative formulas and providing customers with accessible personal service. These commitments led Saracen to Kentucky Equine Research (KER), founded by Dr. Joe Pagan Ph.D. in 1988.
Saracen is the exclusive Kentucky Equine Research (KER) Team Member in the UK.
KER is the most prolific independent equine research center in the world, entirely committed to the advancement of breeding and athletic performance through nutrition. The aim at KER is to enhance the understanding of equine nutrition and exercise physiology, and apply this knowledge to produce healthier, more athletic horses. From its headquarters in Central Kentucky, KER conducts extensive research, and each research trial is designed to improve the health and wellbeing of horses by targeting specific problems, and finding nutritional solutions.
The collaboration has given Saracen the chance to consistently provide nutritional solutions with unique, progressive feeds that can make a real difference, along with the science to support them. RE-LEVE®, Level-Grow™ and Super Fibre Pencils are good examples of concept feeds that have been produced as joint projects.
For more information on KER, please click here.
