In addition to restricting the boys' eating habits, the grazing muzzles have taken away their ability
to play jolly ball, bray at full volume, and scratch their itches, and for that I'm feeling particularly guilty.
We've settled into a routine of 12 hours on/12 hours off so that life as they know it can be half normal.
I sleep better knowing they don't hate me full-time.
I was surprised to see that mutual grooming can still occur with a grazing muzzle in place.
Hank and George are making it work.
George: It would work a helluva lot better if you took this damned thing off.
Me: Language...
Me: Language...
Necessity is the mother of invention. Hank seems just as satisfied with having a grazing muzzle
rubbed back and forth across his back as he would be if George were scratching him with his teeth.
Lucy: We'll be so glad when summer's over.
So....in the wild would they just get fat and then have to live off that all winter? It is so sad to see them with the muzzels...I would have such a hard time putting those on, but I understand you are protecting their health. Hope they get to go without them soon! Lisa G in TN
ReplyDeleteLisa, in the wild, I think they walk great distances between grazing areas and watering holes, so weight management isn't an issue.
DeleteThanks for the reply Linda ....always like to learn new things ...my donkey knowledge is steadily increasing!
DeleteLisa G in TN
I worried about their interactions being muffled by those masks! They do so much with their mouths - it must feel like a person would feel if they went through the day with boxing gloves on. I'm glad they get some free time!
ReplyDeleteDarlin' babies, each has a cross to bear -- grazing muzzles for the burros & fly mask for Hank. Do flies not bother donkeys? I'm curious about why they would not need masks when horses do.
ReplyDeleteLaurie, all the donkeys are wearing roll-on fly repellent around their eyes this year instead of fly masks, which they were always ripping off and losing. It works great for them. Hank doesn't have much hair around his eyes compared to the donkeys; the fly repellent has nothing to stick to so he has to wear a mask.
DeleteOh, of course, Linda, I remember now your mentioning that earlier. It's a good thing it works out that way -- you'd have burro mutiny if they had to wear grazing AND fly masks!
DeleteDid you see the tiny bitty hole at the bottom of the muzzles? Them donkeys need a union, that's what they need. Picket signs for a bigger hole, longer muzzle-free hours and a yearly paid vacation.
ReplyDeleteThey really are not in a hurry for summer to end. Those muzzles will be off soon enough. They know what a softie you are. And this resplendent green stuff is a wonder.
ReplyDeleteI think what I would miss most is the sound of donkeys braying at full volume - my most favourite sound in the whole wide world!
ReplyDeleteGeorge: I know why we're wearing these masks.
ReplyDeleteAlan: Yeah, it's to keep us skinny.
George: Nope. It's because mom's scared of us.
Alan: Scared?? But I thought it's to keep us from gorging on grass.
George: Nope. She was watching "Silence of the Lambs" last weekend.
Alan: OH MY GOSH, plain as day!!! She's scared we're gonna eat HER!!
It's too bad Hank isn't a donkey. With the masks on, they could be the Three Burritos! :-]
ReplyDeleteHave the donks experienced the weight gain when there is a lot of grass? Maybe a little extra weight wouldn't hurt them for winter. I can see they don't like this Barnyard Weightwatchers!
ReplyDeleteJo, Stella and Zkhat