Equine Foot Care

Animal husbandry has been practiced since very early in history (Genesis 4:2). Our Petting Zoo staff puts much time and effort into the care of our animals. For our equines (zorse, zonkey, and donkey), husbandry includes regular hoof care. Taking care of equine feet is essential to good health. If there is a problem with a foot, other issues can arise from the animal trying to compensate for a tender foot. Our farrier visits every eight weeks to makes sure our equines’ feet are healthy and trims them accordingly. We also clean out their hooves and handle their feet between farrier visits for foot maintenance and desensitization. Desensitization basically means we condition them to having their feet handled. This is especially important for our zorse and zonkey. Because they are half zebra, they tend to be more sensitive to veterinary or farrier visits than a regular domesticated horse or donkey. Our zookeepers spend extra time working with them long before a farrier visit to ensure our farrier and the animals are both safe and comfortable during good trims.

Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel. (Proverbs 12:10, ESV)