A DONKEY, whose hooves were so overgrown they had twisted, is now on his journey to recovery, thanks to international animal welfare charity, The Donkey Sanctuary.

Following a call from a concerned member of the public in March 2021, Donkey Welfare Adviser Adele Crompton arrived at an address near Huddersfield where she discovered the nine-year-old donkey called Puzzle, suffering with extremely overgrown hooves.

Puzzle lived with two other donkeys named Quiz and Wizard, who were also suffering from long overgrown hooves. They were living in a muddy paddock, surrounded by broken fencing and barbed wire.

The neglected donkeys were cold and wet due to the lack of adequate shelter, and the Donkey Welfare Adviser could see that they all need urgent veterinary and farriery care.

Adele Crompton said: “The first thing I noticed was the state of Puzzle’s feet. I could not believe how he was moving around with such overgrown and twisted hooves.

“They had grown so long, especially his hind feet. I noticed when he was moving, he was walking on the backs of his heels. Quiz and Wizard’s hooves were also in poor condition.

“Quiz’s front feet were starting to twist inwards, and he appeared to be in discomfort when standing."

It was clear that the donkeys, had been suffering for some time for their feet to be so overgrown and that all three needed urgent veterinary and farriery treatment.

Donkeys require regular farrier care to ensure their hooves are kept in good condition. They also need access to adequate shelter to protect them from the elements, as their coats are not water resistant, like those of horses.

Once Adele had assessed the health and welfare of each donkey from outside their paddock, she enlisted the help of the RSPCA to make contact with their owner.

The Covid-19 pandemic had affected the owner’s circumstances, and other priorities meant they had only been able to only provide the donkeys with food and water.

Adele Crompton said: “Despite all they had been through, two-year-olds Quiz and Wizard were still so trusting and friendly, whereas Puzzle was a little nervous.”

The donkeys’ condition has since improved, but it will be a long journey until they are fully recovered.

The three donkeys now have a safe home for life in the care of The Donkey Sanctuary, either in one of its sanctuaries or a private home through its Rehoming Scheme.