An interesting article in the Refuge eBRAY bulletin

If you are a member of the Turtle Valley Donkey Refuge Society, you receive by email, a copy of our on-line members-only eBRAY each month.  It is full of interesting donkey information as well as a close up look at what is happening at the Refuge.  This is an article from the February eBRAY.

DONKEY TALK

"A Day In The Life...."

"The weather outside is frightful......." seems to the theme this winter at the Refuge. Snow, rain, warm, cold, windy, overcast.   And sometimes all in the same day.

You and I dig out our winter clothing to protect us from the elements. When it gets cold, we put on our heavy costs, gloves, boots and donkey hat (oh wait - that's just me). If it warms up, we take them off. If it snows or rains, we add a water resistant layer which we can remove and dry when it gets wet. Never mind the icy wind that makes us either bundle up or stay indoors. A nice warm shower, and "Bob's your uncle".

In the winter, donkeys grow their own winter wardrobe - a thick, thick coat of hair that is neither waterproof nor wind-resistant. Wet or dry, warm weather or cold, it is there for the season.

So, imagine yourself putting on a thick, heavy winter coat, going outside and literally getting soaked to the skin. Then imagine that you now have to stay in that wet coat, and that the very same thick coat that couldn't protect you from getting soaked in the first place is now somehow thick enough to hold that moisture against your skin so that you remain wet, and likely, cold. Perhaps the heat from the sun could dry your skin - oh wait, it's winter. Or the wind could

wick away the moisture but you do not tolerate cold wind, or any wind for that matter.

Even with access to the shelter of the barns and our amazing new overhang on the Sady and Maria barn our donkeys manage to experience exactly what is described above. The donkeys need to get out from undercover to get some exercise and they don't seem to have to be out in the snowy conditions before they become donkey water sponges.

Some of the donkeys are quite comfy with being wet provided they can get warm in the shelters and eventually dry out. Others just seem to stay wet, and this can cause skin irritations that, although not at all painful for the donkey, must be addressed. One of these skin maladies is called rain rot, or rain scald - horrible names to be sure - which occurs when the equine's wet skin gets no air and thereby becomes the perfect breeding ground for little yeasty beasties. I write "equine" and not just "donkey" because it is quite a common occurrence in horses, donkeys and other equines.

The infection presents as a sort of scaly skin followed by loss of hair in the area. When the hair is gone the skin underneath is pinky and sore looking (I think that may be where the term "scald" comes from). As mentioned, although irritating for both donkey and the donkey's human, it is not painful and can be very successfully treated.
Three of our donkeys have exhibited the symptoms of rain scald thanks to Mother Nature's most curious sense of humor this winter. But, enter Nurse Shirley who, after exhaustive research, has concocted a remedy that is making fast work of the infections. Thanks to her homegrown, all natural remedy, two of the three are good to go and the last is well on her way.

Each donkey that finds refuge here in Turtle Valley comes with his or her unique set of challenges. We are well prepared to deal with the typical physical ones - weight, hoof and dental conditions, known illnesses - and mental or emotional issues (fodder for another Donkey Talk). As the numbers in our herds increases, so does the likelihood that we will see more occurrences of the many typical equine medical conditions such as rain scald. And we are up to the challenge of recognizing and treating anything that comes our way.

The Refuge is on it - thanks to the dedication of Shirley and Rob, the Refuge staff and volunteers, and our professional partners - the equine veterinarian, our wonderful farrier, and our equine dentist. A very special thank you must go to our amazing supporters who, through their financial commitment to the Refuge, fund the care of our donkeys.

And a special thank you to the Vancouver Foundation and individuals who funded the Sady and Maria barn overhang extension and to the volunteers that spent many hours preparing the ground under the overhang. What a stellar team of humans our donkeys have working on their behalf!   HeeHaw.

For more information about the Turtle Valley Donkey Refuge, our web address is www.turtlevalleydonkeyrefuge.com.  You can also contact get in contact by emailing us at donkeyrefuge@gmail.com.

Have a wonderful February and Happy Valentine's Day to everyone from the four-legged and two-legged creatures at the Refuge.