A seventeen month old donkey....
I know, I know, I said no blankets this year, but it was seventeen degrees last night and he was cold. What else was I to do?
I am still hoping they'll both add some more fuzz and we can avoid the blankets. It's supposed to back up to fifty degrees by the end of the week, so he still has some time. What's the name of that stuff that's supposed to make men's hair grow? I think Emma would have like a blanket last night as well, but I don't have one that fits her now and she has a lot more insulation than Ramsey, she was OK - a little grumpy, but not shivering.
I never mentioned it last year because I didn't have the heart to talk about it, but sometime in February or March, one of the (properly adjusted) leg straps on Ramsey's blanket slipped down over his stifle while he was laying down, when he tried to get up it caught and tripped him. He made it to his feet, but pulled a tendon or ligament in his hip. He was lame on it for months. I hate blankets.
I never mentioned it last year because I didn't have the heart to talk about it, but sometime in February or March, one of the (properly adjusted) leg straps on Ramsey's blanket slipped down over his stifle while he was laying down, when he tried to get up it caught and tripped him. He made it to his feet, but pulled a tendon or ligament in his hip. He was lame on it for months. I hate blankets.
But, when your baby donkey is cold and shivering what else is there to do? At least this one fits donkeys a bit better.
There HAS to be a blanket made that's safer!! What about replacing straps with velcro? Would a space blanket help? with velcro? or would they eat it?
ReplyDeleteI don't know about space blankets, the things do have to be fairly rugged and fit well. This blanket does fit Ramsey nicely at the moment even with no leg straps at all. He is a tough one because he is tall, gangly and growing fast.
DeleteIn my history of searching for blankets its pretty apparent that they are all made for horses or ponies, just like the fly masks. The rain sheets and blankets I have i had to permanently shorten the leg straps in order to fit. Fortunately I have never had the dreaded leg through the strap. Also I found that the avalanche rugs from Horze.com, which are made in the UK/Ireland, fit the best on donkeys. They are a little pricey but I think worth it. Also they come with a 'string' that puzzled me at first. They explained that across the pond they use the string instead of the leg straps or in addition to them to keep the rug from shifting side to side. It goes under the tail to the d-rings that the leg straps hook to. They are guaranteed, free shipping both ways, excellent customer service. AND at the beginning of the year have a buy one get one free sale. They don't offer all the pretty colours in donkey sizes though. My guys wear sz 45us/75uk. I like the rain ones because it has the high neck, the regular run-of-the-mill ones are scooped at wither area and on the donkeys don't even cover the withers. Anyway that's my 2 cents worth. BTW I would definitely buy a calendar! Di R. Oh btw I have noticed, even in Ohio, that the donkeys take forever getting their winter coat and are very late shedding it, like in July! I inquired about that to several donkey people and understand that is a donkey trait, so when I was in Ohio I always had to blanket early when it got cold because they didnt have their winter coat yet. Even out here in Cali when we get those cold nights I throw a lighter weight blanket on or even just their rain sheets. Mine only go up to the 240gram fill which is I think is consider the lightest weight winter blanket. We are in a very high wind area so I use it more to protect against the windchill. Di
ReplyDeleteThanks Di, I will check those out. They do take forever to get their coats in. Last year, just about the time the horse started shedding is when they finally had enough hair to be warm.
DeleteAlso, Emma looks so much younger and smaller at the same age! Ramsey really does look all grown up and buffed up to boot!
ReplyDeleteI had one foal born in a cold spell. The first night I put a blanket on and took it off in the morning. The next night I put the blanket on and the next morning it was already off. The next night I put the blanket on and her mother came over, took ahold of the blanket, picked her up and shook until the foal fell out of the blanket! Thank goodness by then she was fluffed up enough and didn't need it anymore. :-)
ReplyDeleteI can just picture that happening:)
DeleteI know nothing about blankets but I do know that he is adorable wearing one. I love your pictures.
ReplyDeleteI have rain sheets plus fleece liners with velcro from Greenhawk Canada. They fit the donkeys well but I rarely use them - really just for emergencies. But I detach the leg straps on the rain sheets. My four already have thick coats (does that mean it's going to be a long, cold winter?)
ReplyDeleteGosh, he looks cute, but I'm glad he's warm, too!
ReplyDeleteRamsey looks so cute in his blanket & matching halter!
ReplyDeleteI remember reading somewhere that donkeys aren't as waterproof as horses and it makes sense if you look at their coats. I sometimes wish i had blankets for mine to wear when it rains nonstop. What brand is that one? It seems to fit well.
ReplyDeleteThis is a Rhino "Wug". It does fit well and I have not had any trouble with this one. The rain is hard on them and if they had to be out in it, I would get them rain sheets.
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