How to Clip a Miniature Donkey

Miniature donkeys may require a partial clip during the summer months.

Miniature donkeys are often partially, clipped if they are being prepared for the show ring or used as working animals during the summer months. Show animals are clipped to enhance their appearance, while hard working animals may be partially clipped to alleviate excessive sweating during the summer. In most cases, miniature donkeys do not require a full body clip at any time of the year. The natural coat of a miniature donkey helps to regulate the animal's body temperature throughout the year and offers protection from the weather and flies.

Things You'll Need

• Equine clippers
• #10 blades
• Small brush
• Towels
• Shampoo formulated for equines

Instructions

1. Bathe the donkey to fully remove all the dirt and dander from the coat. It is wise to shampoo and condition the donkey using products specifically made for equines. Products are available that can help to loosen dirt and remove the buildup in the coat. Clipping a dirty donkey will cause buildup and abnormal wear of the clipper blades.

2. Groom the donkey, making sure that the coat is dry and free from debris. If any of the hair is matted or tangled, you should cut out the mats with scissors prior to clipping. Check the skin for any cuts or lumps that could be caught by the blades.

3. Select a #10 blade for your clippers. The higher the blade number the shorter the clip will be. The #10 blade will leave the hair very short.

4. Start clipping against the direction the hair. Use long, even strokes for a clean, smooth cut. When the direction of the hair changes, adjust the direction of the clippers. Keep the clipper blade surface flat against the donkey's skin to ensure an even cut.

5. Clip the lower neck, chest, elbows and stomach areas first. These areas are commonly clipped on a miniature donkey. This type of clip is called a "Bib and Blanket." It removes the hair from the donkey's coat where it is likely to develop mats. If desired, you can expand the clipped area to include additional places that are problematic for your donkey such as between the hind legs. Occasionally a miniature donkey will need a full body clip, but this is unusual and should only be performed on hard-working animals who are not shedding properly in the summer months, or at the direction of a vet.

6. Blend any drastic lines between the clipped and unclipped areas of your donkey. Clip along the line in the direction that the hair grows to blend the hairline.

7. Clip the hair on the ears by gently running the clippers around the outer edges of each each ear, to remove the long hairs. Scissors can also be used, if your miniature dislikes the clippers around his face.

8. Rinse off the miniature donkey with warm water to remove all the clipped hair and give him a thorough rubdown with a clean towel to dry the animal and ensure that all hair has been removed.

Tips & Warnings

• Take breaks from clipping every 10 minutes to brush any loose hair from the clipper vent and blades, to prevent the clippers from getting too hot.

• Miniature donkeys that have a body clip should be stabled all year and should be blanketed during cold seasons, as the clip has taken away the donkey's only protection from the elements.

• Be careful when clipping delicate areas of the donkey's body, like the chest, flank and girth. Pull the skin tight with one hand while clipping with the other to avoid cuts. It is sometimes easier to cut in the direction of the hair growth in these areas.

References

• The Donkey Sanctuary; Clipping Guidelines for Donkey Owners