Shoo Fly Leggins - donkey between sizes

[Texarkana]

I’m trying to order my 12h donkey a set of Shoo Fly Leggins. Her leg is about 10" from just above her coronary band to just below her knee. Their mini size advertises a length of 6.25". The small size advertises a length of 13.5".

Is it better to go with the bigger or smaller size? Or do I need to go with another brand altogether? I’m worried the mini size will leave too much of her leg exposed, but I’m also worried the next size up will interfere with her knee and be annoying (which means she will rip them off). Since they are so wide at the top, is interfering with the knee not a problem?

[Texarkana]

It seems the manufacturers also make a “yearling” size that is 12.5"-- still taller than my donkey’s leg, but would be a better option. Yet none of the retailers I’ve checked out seem to carry that size. Hmmm…

[Libby2563]

Yearling size on eBay: https://www.ebay.com/i/292575615241?chn=ps&ul_ref=https%3A%2F%2Frover.ebay.com%2Frover%2F1%2F711-117182-37290-0%2F2%3Fmpre%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.ebay.com%252Fi%252F292575615241%253Fchn%253Dps%26itemid%3D292575615241%26targetid%3D411633218853%26device%3Dm%26adtype%3Dpla%26googleloc%3D9007774%26poi%3D%26campaignid%3D1058345214%26adgroupid%3D54502331960%26rlsatarget%3Dpla-411633218853%26abcId%3D1133846%26merchantid%3D6296724%26gclid%3DCj0KCQjwmPPYBRCgARIsALOziAPK7oxF0G2LrdNY3YfgkzO2NblAYECh0KRN7I_zhnk6GbD0OqXZV7YaAlpZEALw_wcB%26srcrot%3D711-117182-37290-0%26rvr_id%3D1560310434354%26rvr_ts%3Dea180f751630a9cb9dd652e9fffcf67c

I have the mini size for my 36" mini donkey and they do tend to slide or scrunch down a little, especially as they get older, so I would definitely err on the taller side.

[Texarkana]

@Libby2563 Thank you! Good information on going taller. I also found a yearling size on Amazon… hopefully that will work!

[Libby2563]

I think the height looks great! You definitely don’t want them 6" shorter. Mine are pretty saggy and don’t provide enough coverage anymore. If the bottom circumference is a problem, could you sew on some more Velcro to tighten it up?

Cute donkey!!

[Texarkana]

@Libby2563 Good idea! I might even be able to use adhesive-backed velcro to extend the closure…

And thanks for the compliment… she is a shaggy, shedding mess right now, looks like Hannibal Lecter in her muzzle, and couldn’t quite figure out how to walk and stand with her stovepipe legs. Poor girl. :lol:

[RutlandH2O]

You could always try making the culottes worn by the Baudet du Poitou donkeys on the Ile de Ré off the west coast of France. They are worn by the working donkeys to protect them from the flies and mouche plat (flat flies) that are an irritating nuisance in that part of France. The culottes are usually striped or gingham. Your donks would look quite fetching, don’t you think?!

I tried to include a screen shot of a donkey wearing his culottes, but I’ve not succeeded. Google Baudet du Poitou en Culotte and feast your eyes.

[beau159]

They look fine. I wouldn’t worry about it!

[Libby2563]

@RutlandH2O

I tried to include a screen shot of a donkey wearing his culottes, but I’ve not succeeded. Google Baudet du Poitou en Culotte and feast your eyes.

Ha!!! So, so worthwhile! Here’s a teaser:

[ATTACH=JSON]{“data-align”:“none”,“data-size”:“large”,“data-attachmentid”:10150734}[/ATTACH]

[Texarkana]

OMG! My donkey totally needs pants! :lol:

I’m so glad Rutland mentioned this and Libby found the picture.

[RutlandH2O]

Thanks for that screenshot, Libby. Thought you’d like them, Texarkana.

[Texarkana]

I may have to pull out the sewing machine for some culottes, because the Shoofly leggins are not working for her. They are just too big. They are coming off nonstop now because the velcro has gotten dirty. The problem is I have so little attachment point to make them tight enough so that they won’t slip over her little hooves. If I get ambitious, I will try to extend the closures by sewing on an additional strip of velcro, as I do think that will solve the problem.

I still think the leggins are great and would highly recommend them. I plan to replace all of my horses’ fly boots with them. My donkey is just too far between the sizes for them to fit her properly.

[goodhors]

Not having seen the leggings in person, would it be possible to put them on upside down? This would put the bigger area ( if I am reading th problem correctly) under the knees instead of the coronet.

Donkey culottes are very cute. Would cover ankle area if made a tad bit longer. Just not sure they would work well if donkey is free in a lot or paddock. Photo appears to be a working donkey, under supervision while dressed to prevent problems with attire.

[Texarkana]

@goodhors

Not having seen the leggings in person, would it be possible to put them on upside down? This would put the bigger area ( if I am reading th problem correctly) under the knees instead of the coronet.

This would not work in this situation-- while they are indeed wide at her knees, I was not clear that the current problem is they are too big around her pastern and slip over her tiny hooves or come undone because there isn’t enough velcro to make them any tighter. They wouldn’t stay on at all if they were upside down.

[Libby2563]

@Texarkana, how are the Shoo Fly Leggins working out for your donkey? I actually quit using mine partway through the summer. At one year old, one pair had gotten so saggy that they weren’t doing much anymore.

But, I discovered a fly spray that actually works! I spray the donk from the knee down every morning (and again in the afternoon if it’s a bad fly day) and his legs have not gotten chewed up at all despite being bare. I’m very pleased with it, as I had previously felt that fly spray was a feel-good measure for humans more than anything. The spray is Pyranha Insecticide (the aerosol can), which you can get at Tractor Supply: https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/pr…nt-15-oz?rfk=1. One can lasts a very long time. Just wanted to share in case it’s useful to anyone else!

I do have a pair of Shoo Fly Leggins for my older, arthritic horse to limit his stomping and they work very well but have only been in use a few months.

[Texarkana]

The shoo fly leggins are working better for my girl, @Libby2563 ! I never added velcro (not surprising), but I did find the velcro “sweet spot” where I can attach them and they will stay put about 80% of the time.

Donkey did end up “donating” her hind ones to my nearly 16.2h warmblood who had some concerning white line stretching mid-summer. If anyone’s wondering, the yearling size will fit well enough to be sufficient on a huge horse, too. These things really do fit generously. The medium would probably be ideal for her when I finally get around to ordering her some. Next year all the horses will definitely get their own new sets of Shoo Flies as I replace my dead/dying Kensingtons that I’m trying to make last the rest of this season.

I’ve used the Pyranha in the past, but I have problems with the yellow bottle and the aerosol irritating the skin for all of my girls. I LOVE the blue bottle water-based formula, but I guess I’m the only one who did because they’ve stopped carrying it locally. They also make a green bottle “natural” Pyranha formula that smells like peppermint. I bought it once-- the first day, the donkey knocked the bottle off the stall door, chewed the lid off, and drank it off the floor! :eek:

[stressgirl37]

I have never heard of these but might order some next year. The mesh ones sag and never fail to rub on the back legs for some reason on my mare. Poor gal- she’s covered head to toe 6 months of the year.