Sometimes you just want to stay in your pyjamas all day – and if you’re a donkey, this has an extra benefit.
Residents of The Donkey Sanctuary in Devon have been spotted sporting the season’s must-have wide-leg look, thanks to students at the University of St Andrews in Scotland.
The alma mater of the Prince and Princess of Wales has donated suitable legwear from a recycling initiative, which is now being used to protect the donkeys from biting insects.
“Like many equine owners, the sanctuary experiences the annual challenge of biting flies during the warmer months,” a Donkey Sanctuary spokesperson said.
“For several years, staff have been using trousers, leggings or pyjama bottoms to help protect the donkeys’ legs from bites. The loose-fitting legwear is cut to fit individual donkeys, which by their nature, can get through several pairs a week as they roam around their pastures.”
The charity launched an appeal for suitable used trousers to boost its supplies; groom Lisa Coles said the older donkeys seem to suffer most from the insects, which is “heartbreaking to see”.
The spokesperson said: “The charity recently received an unexpected boost from an inspiring recycling initiative at the University of St Andrews. After hearing how unwanted trousers and leggings can help protect the resident herds, staff and students gathered up a collection of suitable items left over from their recycling project.
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(Image credit: The Donkey Sanctuary)
“The university has its own Reuse shop where students can donate their old clothing when they leave for the summer break or graduate for other students. Some of the clothing gets donated for reuse or upcycling to Fife charities, local creators and schools, and the remaining unwanted pieces are normally thrown away. Fortunately, these have now found a new lease of life over 500 miles south in Devon.”
Anya Hart Dyke of the university said the team was “tickled pink” by the thought of donkeys wearing pyjamas for protection.
“We hate seeing any clothes go to waste so we were delighted to source items that were too faded, or worse for wear, to be reworn by students,” she said. ”We’re always looking for new opportunities to keep clothes in play so were thrilled when The Donkey Sanctuary agreed to make use of clothes that would have otherwise been incinerated.”
Lisa said the charity was delighted by the donation.
“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,” she said.
Unwanted loose-fitting trousers, leggings, pyjamas or maternity trousers, from women’s size 16 and men’s size L upwards, can be taken to the Sidmouth sanctuary’s onsite gift shop.
Eleanor is an experienced journalist who spent over eight years working for local and national newspapers before joining H&H as news editor in March 2016. Passionate about equine welfare and exposing the truth, Eleanor has reported on all aspects of the industry, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage rules to mules. Her sport of choice is showjumping, in which she competes her own horses, and she also enjoys reporting at local jumping shows through to international championships.
