Strange/unusual rug question

[Donkeymad]

I'm desperately hoping that some of you clever people here can give me some suggestions.
You may remember that last November I rescued a very elderly donkey. She is now in good condition and a very happy lady. However, because of her age I assume, she has a very odd shape, thin in places broad in others. She needs a rug during winter, but I tried quite a few donkey rugs and pony rugs known to fit donkeys. Every single one of them rode up over her backside and left her back exposed from the hips back. I tried both leg straps and fillet strings but, within two days, they would rub her back legs raw, regardless of how carefully I fitted them. Just to add to matters, she tends to pee on the straps too.
Any suggestions as to how I can keep her rug in place on windy days especially?

many many thanks.

 

[scotsmare]

Can you not just use a fillet string rather than leg straps? I'd phone the donkey sanctuary or somewhere and see what they recommend rug wise.

Bless the poor old girl - hope she gets some decent pyjamas soon

 

[Donkeymad]

Thanks scotsmare, but, as I said, it happens with fillet strings too

Anyone else? Please

 

[lucemoose]

can you put a girth sleeve on the fillet string? and wash it regularly? inner tubes over leg straps? vet wrap the fillet string? Try a rug with a large tail flap to weigh it down? Perhaps cuddly ponies by weatherbeeta

 

[Tia]

Over here some rugs have tail straps (I don't know what they actually call them). These straps are short, like a crupper, and situated right at the top of the back of the rug, rather than at the bottom like with fillet straps. Could you have these fitted onto your rug perhaps?

 

[Donkeymad]

Now that sounds like an idea to work on Tia, thanks

 

[0ldmare]

I think tia's suggestion of the crupper type approach might be the best option. The crupper bit would need to be very soft so it doesn't rub her.

Do you have a rug that fits her other than the crupper bit? The company I work for makes rugs and numnahs. We wouldn't have anything that would fit her, but we could happily adapt a rug for you if you have one? We could make it so that the crupper bit was removable so you could wash it separately. If you are interested PM me.

 

[Tia]

You could buy a lambskin halter pad (or noseband) to cover the strap? That might help a bit.

Oldmare; the ones over here are removable too - I think they are just doubled back on one side and with a little clip on the other. Another one which someone uses on my yard is just a soft bit of cotton twill (like binding material) and it is just tied on on both sides of the tail.

The sides of the rugs still waft in the wind but the rugs haven't capsized (so to speak) so it would appear that they do work.

 

[Bess]

I've seen a TO rug with a clear plastic tube over the fillet string, maybe that would help stop the rubbing?

 

[LizzieJ]

My old pony had a canvas new zealand rug from Mole Valley that had a fillet string very high up like Tia is suggesting. The corners flapped around a lot but the rug never slipped and the pony didn't get rubs

 

[Donkeymad]

Thankyou for your offer oldmare, I will see what I can do first then get back to you later, if that is OK.

Bess, that also sounds like a good idea.

I have a huge piece of the material that they make anti-rub vests from so think I may get hubby to attach two rings quite high up and tie on a new strap every few days, then wash the others, I have enough material to make a few.

Thankyou all for your help, Rosie will very much appreciate it.

If not, I do