Trooper is an all white, Standard donkey, born in 1993 in Southern Ontario.
When he was admitted to The Donkey Sanctuary of Canada in 2003 Trooper’s condition was very serious. An infection had caused his body to be covered with open sores and the founder in his hooves was so severe that he was unable to walk. In the early stages of Trooper’s care, extraordinary efforts were made by Sanctuary staff to ensure that his recuperation would be successful. As the days and weeks passed, the infection was eradicated and the sores gradually healed. Corrective shoes were placed on his hooves in order to encourage proper regrowth of the hoof walls. After two months, his appetite and strength had improved considerably and, for short periods at a time, he could walk carefully around the barn paddock.
The long-term prognosis regarding Trooper’s health and fitness is very good. These days he resides at the Sanctuary Farm in the company of the donkeys in the main herd. At the same time, Trooper’s condition is always being monitored. His hooves are sensitive and his diet cannot ever be too rich or there could be a recurrence of the founder.
On Open Days, Trooper is content to be brought into the barnyard to greet visitors and to be patted and fussed over.