When do donkeys shed winter coat

Recent study results from the U. They observed substantial seasonal changes in hair weight and length for both horses and mules, but not for donkeys.

Measurements related to insulation properties revealed that donkeys do not appear to grow any winter coat. Upon further investigation though it did seem that many of the breeds of Equinus asinus listed on the worldwide Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations have originated from stock from considerably warmer climes. The aforementioned Donkey Sanctuary did indeed have a number of pictures of little long-eared donkeys sporting tidy blankets.

Did this mean that there was an essential difference between the North American donkey and the British Isles donkey? Or was the standard of care simply different? The clipping allows the shampoo to reach the skin and the bathing drowns the adult lice.

The process should be repeated after a couple of weeks to prevent any further eggs hatching. Donkey rugs , grooming tools and tack should all be thoroughly washed as well. Clipping your donkey Essential care advice. The Donkey Sanctuary has put together essential care advice on the clipping of your donkeys.

A donkey should never be clipped for the sake of it, but some reasons for partial clipping may include the following: Some donkeys can grow unusually heavy or thick coats through the winter and be slow to moult during the spring. This is a sensitive area on a donkey so choosing to clip away the hair may be a more comfortable option. Many donkeys don't care for getting wet, but even those that do tolerate it shouldn't be bathed more than once or twice a year. Bathing removes protective oils from their coats.

For basic grooming, you'll need a stiff brush. Brush in the direction the hair grows. This basic grooming tool gets rid of surface dirt and encrusted mud. Use a soft brush for his face and ears. Your donkey grows a thick coat in winter. This coat protects him from snow and sleet, so you must take care when grooming in cold weather. If you're familiar with horses, you know that their coats begin shedding heavily in early spring.

Donkeys are different. They don't shed out as early, so your donkey might be quite hairy even when the horses display their spring coats. Let nature take its course. You can use a shedding blade on your donkey's coat, but don't use it until the it's warm in the spring.