Clipping the Donkeys for Summer
As spring turns to summer and days get more hot and humid, it’s important that all the animals on my farm are kept as comfortable as possible.
Last week, Dolma and Helen from my stable crew gave the Sicilian donkeys a good summer clipping to remove all the extra coat left over from this past winter. Not only will this help keep them cooler during the coming season, but it will also prevent their coarse fur from matting.
Enjoy these photos - and be sure to check back again Monday for an equine surprise.
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- It’s haircut day for my sweet donkeys Rufus, Billie and Clive. They get clipped in late spring so they’re more comfortable during the warm, humid months of summer.
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- Here is a photo showing their uncut coats from above. The natural coat of a donkey helps regulate body temperature and protects them from inclement weather and flies, but because my donkeys grow such thick, heavy coats in winter, we clip them yearly to keep them comfortable.
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- Donkeys are herd animals, so they don’t like being separated from other members of their pack. We always keep my donkeys together, so as each one is clipped the other two stand nearby.
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- Dolma starts with Clive – clipping his back and sides first. All three donkeys are quite at ease with the whole clipping process.
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- Dolma clips in short strokes to make sure the coat is nice and even. And always take the clippers against the direction of the natural lie of the hair. Whenever the lie of the hair changes, adjust the direction of the clippers.
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- She is also slow to clip any sensitive spots.
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- Before clipping a section of coat, Dolma takes time to assess skin health and to feel the coat for any small abrasions or lumps that could get caught by the blade. If there are any clumps of matted hair, they need to be cut with scissors first. Here, it is easy to see how thick the coat is, and how much more needs to be removed.
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- We like to keep the legs and head as is to give the donkeys more protection from biting insects. To keep one rear leg still while clipping, have a helper lift the other rear leg and hold it up high under the body.
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- Next, Dolma uses these smaller clippers to get into tighter spots, such as near the mane and neck. She is very careful in areas with looser skin.
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- I think the donkeys are hoping they get some good treats after they are clipped. If clipping an equine for the first time, be sure to familiarize them with the sounds and feel of the clippers before doing any actual grooming. My donkeys are very used to this routine.
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- Here’s Helen working on Billie.
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- Helen is using a professional grooming tool called a Clipmaster made by Oster. It is good for removing large sections of coat, such as on the back and sides.
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- A medium blade is used on the clippers for all the donkeys. It’s also important to stop every few minutes to brush any loose hair from the clipper head and vent. This will help to prevent the clippers and blades from getting too hot.
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- What a big difference! Billie looks much cooler already. She has such a shiny coat too – this is always a sign of good health and proper nutrition.
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- And look at all the fur that came off. And there’s still one more donkey to clip.
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- It’s time for Rufus to get his coat trimmed.
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- Helen tends to his neck and shoulders first.
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- Rufus is a good boy – he remains nice and still. Rufus grows a very thick coat, so haircuts not only keep him cooler but also keep his fur from matting.
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- Helen is just about done. Once they are all clipped, Dolma and Helen give them a quick brushing to remove any loose hairs.
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- And here they are all finished – you look great, my dear donkeys.
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- The three amigos look much cooler and much happier already! I am sure they thought they were headed for a good roll in the dirt.
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- But instead, they’re headed back into their stall for some lunch.
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- But wait – Clive is up on his step and sees something in the stall next door. What could he be looking at so intently? Be sure to check my next blog for the answer.
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