How to Prevent Frostbite in Donkey Ears

Your donkey's ears are susceptible to cold.

While donkeys and equines in general are better equipped than humans to face the winter challenges of Mother Nature, they are still prone to experience dangerous frostbite incidents. Ears in particular are quite susceptible to the effects of cold wind and extreme temperatures. Dr. Andris J. Kaneps of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons claims that often horse owners do not notice frostbite until after the ear tips fall off. To avoid such dire consequences, prevention is key.

Things You'll Need

• Fly mask
• 2 wool winter socks
• Sewing needle
• Thread
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Fit a pair of winter wool socks on your donkey's ears. Make sure they fit well without being too loose or too tight. Cut off the excess part of the socks that exceeds the length of the donkey's ears.

2. Start working on the fly mask. Cut the ear parts off and cut over the eyes to make a skull cap. You should now have ear holes to which you can attach the socks.

3. Sew the socks to the fly mask with a needle and thread. Use strong thread to ensure durability and resistance.

4. Place your donkey's ears carefully inside the socks. Secure the ear muffs under your donkey's throat and jaw area using the fly mask's fasteners.

Tips & Warnings

• Slip two fingers between the fly mask's edge and the donkey's throat to make sure it is not too tight.

• Routinely remove and clean the ear muffs and checks for signs of tear.

• Make sure to acclimate your donkey to the cold gradually.

• Do not leave your donkey unattended while it gets used to its ear muffs.

• Do not rub your donkey's ears if you suspect frostbite, as doing so may cause further tissue damage.

References

• PetPlace.com: Dealing with Frostbite in Horses
• Shadow Ridge Donkeys: Instructions to Make Donkey Ear Muffs

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish