Full course description
About the course
This course provides an introduction to donkey hoof health and care, from understanding the healthy hoof to routine management and farriery. It will help you recognise potential problems and communicate effectively with professionals to support appropriate care.
Modules
-
Module 1: The healthy hoof
Learn what a healthy donkey hoof looks like, how it works and how it differs from a horse’s hoof. Recognise signs of poor hoof health and know when to seek professional help.
-
Module 2: Routine care and environment
Learn how routine hoof care, diet and the environment can help keep a donkey’s hooves healthy. Carry out daily checks and recognise and respond to early signs of common hoof problems.
-
Module 3: Farriery
Learn how to prepare for and support routine farriery visits while keeping the donkey’s welfare at the centre of care. Recognise signs of discomfort, understand the trimming process and know when to raise concerns with a professional.
-
Module 4: Communication and advocacy
Learn how to communicate clearly with professionals about a donkey’s hoof health and care needs. Build confidence in advocating for appropriate, donkey-specific hoof care and good practice.
Who this course is for
This course is especially designed for donkey owners and carers who want to learn about good hoof care, recognise potential problems early, and work effectively with hoof care professionals.
Why the course matters
Benefits to you
Build confidence in recognising healthy hooves and identifying when something may be wrong. You will understand how routine care, management and farriery contribute to hoof health, when to seek professional advice and how to communicate concerns clearly. This knowledge will help you advocate for appropriate, donkey-specific care.
Benefits to donkeys
Donkeys will benefit from better-informed and more proactive hoof care, with potential problems recognised and addressed earlier. Routine care and farriery can be better planned around each donkey’s individual needs, helping to support their long-term comfort, mobility and quality of life.
Assumed prior learning
You will need to know how to carry out basic grooming tasks such as picking out feet when caring for your donkey.
Sentience statement
The Donkey Sanctuary recognises and celebrates animal sentience, understanding that donkeys and other equids have the capacity to experience feelings and emotions. These emotions may be positive, like joy, or negative, such as fear and distress. As individuals, equids have desires and dislikes and make choices based on their unique personalities.
How to cite
The Donkey Sanctuary. (12/11/26). Donkey Foot Care (CWEL112).
[Online]. https://thedonkeysanctuary.eu-west.catalog.canvaslms.com/