Earlier this year, one of my miniature Mediterranean donkeys, Jasper, sustained an injury, the cause of which was unknown. Despite a couple of visits from the vet, no diagnosis was made, and the only advice I was given was to give him box rest and painkillers.

Unhappy with the vet’s advice, I decided to look into the matter further myself. Blood tests had confirmed that Jasper had no major underlying health problems, and the vet had ruled out a strain or sprain, as there was no apparent swelling or bruising.

Laminitis had also been ruled out, although the vet admitted that box rest and painkillers would have been prescribed if it had been laminitis.

I wasn’t convinced that box rest and painkillers were the way to go, mainly because Jasper seemed worse first thing in the morning after being stabled overnight, and because administering painkillers was a battle in itself that left us both stressed and upset.

After a few weeks with no real improvement in the way Jasper was walking, I decided to look into alternative remedies. Administering painkillers was hit and miss, and I didn’t like the idea of treating my donkey for pain when I didn’t know what that pain was or whether pain relief was simply masking a bigger problem. I had thought he might be suffering from arthritis or some sort of joint ache, and although he is only eight years old, which is young for a donkey to suffer from these kinds of aches and pains, I scoured my local feed merchant for something that might help with his movement, and I came across Herb Power by Hilton Herbs.

Herb Power is a carefully crafted natural supplement, specially formulated to support the everyday wellbeing of horses, ponies and donkeys. It is a dried herbal mix of nutrient-rich herbs, suitable for animals that may not have access to the foraged plants they would naturally seek out in the wild. Donkeys are foragers, and my three will look for willow trees, hawthorn and brambles when grazing in the paddocks. As the mix is purely natural, I decided to give it a try to see if it helped Jasper’s mobility issues.

I was intrigued by how this mix of herbs might help with Jasper’s condition, and I looked into it further, only to be pleasantly surprised to learn that the Hilton Herbs story began in 1990, when the owners of a horse named Ryan were concerned about the possible consequences of long-term medication used to manage Ryan’s arthritis. Ryan’s owner, Hilary Self, researched and formulated a herbal supplement to support her horse, drawing on the power of nature. She created what eventually became the Hilton Herbs Multi Flex blend, now a best-seller.

The first bag I bought was a hit with both the donkeys and the ponies, and it was lovely to see them enjoying a beneficial treat that was also boosting their well-being. After just a week, I noticed Jasper was beginning to loosen up. I wasn’t sure whether this was due to the herbs or the warming weather, but either way I was encouraged. I also noticed that Flynn, another of my miniature donkeys, was absolutely glowing. His coat, which he normally sheds in patches and then rubs off on his bottom, had grown back and was a beautiful, shiny chestnut red. He looked gorgeous.

As the days went by and I continued to give the donkeys and ponies a small amount of the dried herb mix in their feed, I noticed a real improvement in all of them. Jasper was definitely walking with ease. He no longer seemed to be struggling, and for the first time in months I saw him enjoy a good run around the paddock with his friends.

I asked Faye Bamford, an equine marketing executive at Hilton Herbs, whether they made anything beneficial for dogs, as I have a Border Collie who, after being castrated, struggles with his weight, which slightly affects his mobility. She recommended Releaf Gold Liquid and Mobility Support, and I have ordered both. If the results are as good as the herb power mix has been for Jasper, I will be ecstatic. During my last visit to the feed merchant, I spotted a different blend of herb power, formulated to help stressed horses, ponies and donkeys. I purchased a bag. Hopefully, this will work wonders in September, when they all have their annual vaccination and dental treatment!

For more information about Hilton Herbs, please visit their website: www.hiltonherbs.com