Forget the shorts, donkeys in Sidmouth have been wearing trousers this summer in a bid to beat the flies.
The Donkey Sanctuary recently revealed how its residents had been covering up their legs with trousers, leggings or pyjama bottoms to stop irritating summer flies biting the donkeys.
But now dwindling supplies of legwear has prompted the charity to appeal for donations of unwanted used clothing to protect the donkeys for as long as the flies persist.
Staff want to avoid buying new items to customise and are appealing for unwanted loose-fitting trousers, leggings, pyjamas, or maternity trousers – minimum women’s size 16 and men’s size large or XL and above.
The loose-fitting legwear is cut to fit individual donkeys. The animals can get through several pairs a week as they roam around their fields.
Lisa Coles, a groom at the sanctuary’s Paccombe Farm, in East Devon, 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 as they are not as active as the younger donkeys, which is heart-breaking to see.”
The donkeys recently received a helping hand from more than 500 miles away in Fife, Scotland, when staff and students at the University of St Andrew sent unwanted, recycled, clothes to the Sidmouth sanctuary.
Surplus clothes from the university’s reuse shop, donated by students at the end of graduation, were sent to help the donkeys instead of being thrown away.
Anya Hart Dyke, Transition University of St Andrew’s 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 source items that were too faded, or worse for wear to be re-worn by students.
“We’re always looking for new opportunities to keep clothes in play so were thrilled when The Donkey Sanctuary agreed to making use of clothes that would have otherwise been incinerated.”
Donkey groom Lisa said the charity was ‘delighted’ to receive the donation of snazzy leggings and trousers from St Andrews, saying the sanctuary would welcome more.
She added: “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.”
The move to adapt clothing to tackle biting flies began in 2024, when the charity’s Italian sanctuary launched an appeal for socks to protect the donkeys, resulting in 180 pairs being donated.
If you have suitable-sized loose-fitting trousers, leggings, pyjamas, or maternity trousers, they can be dropped off at the Sidmouth sanctuary’s onsite gift shop.
The Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth is open every day, from 9am to 5pm.
Baggy Trousers Help Sidmouth Donkeys Beat Flies