THE MAIN PROBLEMS THAT WORKING DONKEYS FACE ARE:-.
TEETH
Teeth should be checked annually. Large hooks can develop on the cheek teeth which if not filed away can cause the jaw to lock and the donkey will be unable to eat. In elderly donkeys, if a tooth is lost the opposite tooth will continue to grow and this will prevent normal jaw movement and problems eating. If hooks and overlong teeth are not rasped it may result in abscesses.
A large proportion of the donkeys we visit in this area have problems in their mouths.
INJURIES FROM BADLY FITTING TACK
It is nearly impossible for donkey owners to buy new tack for their donkeys in this area of Crete. So we see many skin wounds where saddles, chains, bridles and headcollars have been so tight as to cut into the skin of the animal. In some of these cases the skin has actually grown over the offending nose band chain. A little grey donkey that we gave a new home to (the owner was going to shoot her) had two bad skin injuries. The unpadded wooden saddle had rubbed her back so badly that it was infected and covered in flies. The chain on her noseband had also pushed right into the skin which although it healed left a nasty and suspicious lump.
look away if you are sqeamish!
A saddle sore. The owner was still riding this donkey.He said he was going to shoot her so we took her to our shelter where she had a happy 3 years more of life.
A donkey in Kalamafka was treated by the GAWF team for a very nasty wound on the top of his head. It was horribly infected and smelly and obviously causing a lot of pain to the donkey.
Other wounds treated have been from ropes used to tether donkeys, either around the neck or on the legs.
FEET
Overgrown hooves
Unfortunately this donkey died before she could be treated. Her feet had become completely malformed and caused severe joint damage. Her lady owner did not know what to do to help her
Abscesses
A donkey getting treated for a foot abscess care of the GAWF equine team.
Problems caused by DIY cutting of hooves by owners.
This donkey was forced to walk on the front wall of its back hooves. It was obviously in great pain.
PLEASE HELP BY DONATING SOMETHING – HOWEVER SMALL – SO THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO HELP THESE DONKEYS BY ENSURING THEY GET A VISIT FROM AN EQUINE DENTIST, FARRIER AND VET, ANNUALLY.
TEETH 
A saddle sore. The owner was still riding this donkey.He said he was going to shoot her so we took her to our shelter where she had a happy 3 years more of life. 
Unfortunately this donkey died before she could be treated. Her feet had become completely malformed and caused severe joint damage. Her lady owner did not know what to do to help her
A donkey getting treated for a foot abscess care of the GAWF equine team.
This donkey was forced to walk on the front wall of its back hooves. It was obviously in great pain.