How to Shave a Miniature Donkey

Miniature donkeys enjoy being groomed. Although brushing improves blood circulation and the condition of your donkey's coat, the animal must be shaved in early summer if the weather is very warm. Owners will also need to shave miniature donkeys that attend shows. Judges prefer miniature donkeys with a shaved coat as they are easy to examine and present well. In these cases, shaving refers to clipping the coat right against the body by using clippers.

Things You'll Need

  • Hay net, filled with hay
  • Bowl of concentrate pellets or diced vegetables
  • Halter and rope
  • High quality equine clippers with size 10 blades
  • Extra clipper blades (size 10)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Ensure that the donkey is relaxed and will stand still for the procedure. Offer your donkey food in a hay net or bowl to distract it from the clipping procedure. Work in a barn or stall that is familiar to the donkey and make sure there is enough light so you can see exactly where you are cutting. Secure the donkey to a post in the barn and talk to it in a calm and steady voice. Stop clipping if the donkey becomes agitated.

    • 2

      Operate the clippers at a short distance from the donkey, so it can become accustomed to the noise, before approaching the animal and starting to cut its hair.

    • 3

      Clip from the rear of the donkey to the front. Always clip against the grain of the hair. Begin to clip above the hock and work up one side of the hind leg. Repeat on the opposite side of the leg and work up toward the rump. Remove the original blade and replace it with a fresh one as soon as the clipper begins to leave tracks in the coat.

    • 4

      Ensure that the donkey is completely relaxed and standing completely still when you clip around the grown.

    • 5

      Clip the right side of the body, from under the belly, to the middle of the back. Repeat on the left side of the animal.

    • 6

      Clip the throat and neck by first completing the one side before moving to the opposite side. Clip the mane.

    • 7

      Clip the front legs and the lower sections of the hind legs.

    • 8

      Hold the clipper a short distance from the donkey's face and bring it slowly closer. Move it to the jaw and directly toward the eyes. Ensure that the donkey is calm enough for you to begin clipping hair on its face. Put a new blade into the clipper and hold the clipper against your hand occasionally, to make sure the blade is not getting too hot.

    • 9

      Trim very carefully inside the ears, but do not clip the donkey's eye lashes.