Flares for Brays! Donkeys Rock Summer Trousers
By Animals Correspondent
Flared trousers are proving surprisingly fashionable in East Devon this summer as donkeys at The Donkey Sanctuary sport unusual legwear to help protect them from biting flies.
Like many equine owners, the charity faces the annual challenge of biting insects during the warmer months.
For several years, grooms have been using trousers, leggings and pyjama bottoms to help shield the donkeys' legs from painful bites.
The loose-fitting clothing is cut to fit each donkey and often needs replacing as the animals roam around their paddocks.
The sanctuary recently received a welcome donation thanks to a recycling initiative at the University of St Andrews in Fife.
After learning how unwanted trousers and leggings could help protect the donkeys, staff and students collected suitable items from the university's reuse scheme and sent them to Devon, giving clothing that might otherwise have been thrown away a new purpose.
Lisa Coles, one of the grooms at The Donkey Sanctuary's Paccombe Farm, said:
"Every summer many donkeys in our resident herds face the irritation of biting flies. The older ones in our care seem to suffer the most because they are not as active as the younger donkeys, which is heartbreaking to see."
Anya Hart Dyke, Transition University of St Andrews Project Officer, said:
"It tickled us pink to think of donkeys wearing leggings and pyjama bottoms to protect their legs from biting insects.
"We hate seeing any clothes go to waste, so we were delighted to find items that were too faded or worn to be reused by students. We're always looking for new opportunities to keep clothes in use, so we were thrilled when The Donkey Sanctuary could make use of clothing that would otherwise have been incinerated."
DON'T MISS:
Good News Post
The idea has proved successful before.
In 2024, The Donkey Sanctuary's centre in Italy appealed for socks to help protect donkeys' legs from biting insects and received 180 pairs in response.
The charity is now appealing for donations of suitable used trousers, leggings or pyjama bottoms to help replenish supplies.
Lisa added: "We were delighted to receive the donation of snazzy leggings and trousers from St Andrews and would welcome any more.
"Even though the legwear may look a bit unusual at first glance, it really does make a difference to the welfare of our donkeys, and we hope others may be inspired to donate any suitable items we can use."
Anyone wishing to donate any unwanted loose-fitting trousers, leggings, pyjamas, or maternity trousers can bring them to the Sidmouth sanctuary’s onsite Gift Shop.
To ensure they will fit all sizes of the resident donkeys, the items should be women’s size 16 up, and men’s size large and up. The Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth is open every day, from 9am to 5pm.
