Please donate a little to help fund care for these donkeys
Here in Ierapetra, the local town, it is not possible to buy any harness for donkeys. Donkey owners have to make do with all the old pieces of bridle and headcollars that they may have.
Working donkeys often have pieces of leather held together with wire, and chains which cause horrendous injuries.
Because it is nearly impossible to buy headcollars here in South Crete, we have noticed that the practise of leg tethering is increasing. A rope is tied around the foot or leg of the donkey. This can cause a number of problems. Unfortunately this donkey died before the GAWF farrier visited.
Here you can see the old wound caused by a chain that grew into this donkey's nose. Although the wound healed there was always a big lump just below the noseband of the new headcollar.Working donkeys of Crete are nearly always found with chains on their noses which do cause bad injuries which can get infected.
This is an example of a headcollar used here for working donkeys. This was George the day that he arrived with us. Notice the chain which is just below his eyes.
Here is is possible to see the marks on George's face from this ill-fitting headcollar.
George without his headcollar showing the damage that has been done to his face. Luckily in his case we got to him before the rope, leather and chain caused actual flesh wounds.
HOW YOU CAN HELP WITH DONKEY CARE IN THE VILLAGES OF SOUTH EAST CRETE.
Because it is nearly impossible to buy headcollars here in South Crete, we have noticed that the practise of leg tethering is increasing. A rope is tied around the foot or leg of the donkey. This can cause a number of problems. Unfortunately this donkey died before the GAWF farrier visited.
Here you can see the old wound caused by a chain that grew into this donkey's nose. Although the wound healed there was always a big lump just below the noseband of the new headcollar.Working donkeys of Crete are nearly always found with chains on their noses which do cause bad injuries which can get infected.
This is an example of a headcollar used here for working donkeys. This was George the day that he arrived with us. Notice the chain which is just below his eyes.
Here is is possible to see the marks on George's face from this ill-fitting headcollar.
George without his headcollar showing the damage that has been done to his face. Luckily in his case we got to him before the rope, leather and chain caused actual flesh wounds.