Dorset lifestyle
The donkeys have their teeth checked every year, and any sharp edges are taken off with a small rotating grinder. The donkeys don’t enjoy the experience and are sedated before having their mouth kept open with a metal brace. The grinding doesn’t take long but they mustn’t eat afterwards, their heads gradually lifting up as they become more alert and after a few hours they can start grazing again. A warm sunny day with light winds
Toby looking a bit dopy, still under sedation after a thorough check of his teeth and some leveling of sharp edges with a grinding tool that sounds worse than it is as it doesn’t hurt the soft tissue. William had the same treatment and needed a little more relaxant to calm him down, both of them were eating normally after an hour or so; must be the week for vets, it’s Poppy’s turn tomorrow for a final checkup after her course of antibiotics. A warm misty day with strong winds and showers.
The donkeys needed their annual check so this is William getting bored waiting for the vet to arrive. His teeth were fine, no filing required and he didn’t need a sedative unlike Toby who needed something to relax him. He was a bit too staggery once the injection took affect so he needed waking up a little to do the examination. Some teeth had a few sharp edges; donkeys chew side to side so can wear down the inner edges and leave a sharp edge on the outside, the electric grinder did the job quickly. Afterwards they both had to wait to have something to eat as Toby wouldn’t have been able to swallow until fully awake – William stood next to him most of the time giving reassurance and they were both grazing happily a couple of hours later. A hot sunny day with bright blue sky, watered the vegetables, picked runner beans and a few tomatoes, must pick the courgettes tomorrow.
