r2i THE HORSE, 



graze, if there is an opportunity of doing so. Any rough 

 grazing will answer satisfactorily, as donkeys are not dainty by 

 any means. Failing an orchard or paddock, a donkey can be 

 grazed on a common or on the road-side. When the donkey 

 obtains food by grazing, only veiy little hay need be 

 provided. During the winter, and when donkeys cannot ob- 

 tain any succulent food by grazing, they should receive an 

 occasional supply of carrots, and a small bran-mash at inter- 

 vals ought also to be provided. A handful of oats may be 

 mixed with the bran-mash. It must not be forgotten to place 

 a lump of rock salt within reach of the donkey. The watering 

 arrangements should be the same as advised in the case of 

 horses and ponies. 



Housing;. — Donkeys may be stabled in any available shed 

 or building. Their stable should be woU ventilated, but must 

 be free from draughts. It is desirable that it should be fairly 

 warm in the winter, especially if the donkey is clipped. 

 Neither a manger nor hay-rack are necessary ; if these are pro- 

 vided, they must be fixed very low. A wooden box, placed 

 on the floor will answer perfectly well as a manger, and this 

 should be removed after each feed. The hay can also be 

 placed on the floor in one corner of the stall. Donkeys do 

 not require to be tied up in their stall; they should be left 

 loose. Tliey may be confined to their stall by fixing two 

 wooden bars about two feet apart across the entrance, the bars 

 being placed in slots in the heel-posts or in the wall, as the case 

 may be. This arrangement practically converts a stall into 

 a loose box. If desired, a wooden door can take the place of 

 the bars, but this is not necessary. The size of the stall or 

 loose box, should not be le^^s than five feet wide and eight feet 

 in length, but it will add to the comfort of the animal if more 

 space is allowed. 



Grooming;, Clipping:, and Clothing;. — Donkeys 

 ought to receive a fair amount of grooming every day, so as 

 to keep the coat and skin clean, and to prevent the hairs 

 from getting matted together. It is not sufficient to brush off 



