Donkeys wearing pajamas attract tourists
The island of Rhea, or Île-de-Ré in French, off the west coast of France is a popular summer destination.
It is known for its gently sloping sandy beaches, cool waters and constant breeze, which is a treat for households and tourists alike.
One of the especially famous impressions for tourists visiting the island is the donkeys that live here.
Poitou donkeys. (Photo: Amusing Planet).
The Ile de Ré donkey is no ordinary breed, they are the Poitou donkey, or Baudet du Poitou in French.
Originating from the Poitou region of France, they are one of the largest breeds of donkeys in the world. Because of their large size, they were used as working mules in the island’s salt industry.
The Poitou donkey’s most striking feature, aside from its size, is its very long, shaggy coat, known as a cadanette, which when ungroomed further accentuates their above-average size.
The long coat of the Poitou donkey. (Photo: Amusing Planet).
Donkeys in pajamas
Because of the size and strength of the Poitou donkey, they are sent to work in the salt marshes of the Charente Maritime and in the fields where they are often bitten by mosquitoes and bugs.
To protect the feet of the animals from being bitten by mosquitoes and other insects, the owner will have them put on specially tailored pants every day before they go to work.
The pants were made from red old Vichy patterned curtain fabric or gray striped mattress, giving them the name “Anes en Culotte” or “donkeys in panties”.
Donkeys wear pajamas to avoid insect bites. (Photo: Amusing Planet).
Currently, donkeys are no longer used to work in the salt marshes, but the tradition of wearing pants continues to this day, mainly to attract tourists.
The Poitou donkey is a tourist attraction to the island of Rhea. (Photo: Amusing Planet).
The Poitou mule was once the most sought after across Europe and has been called “the best working mule in the world”.
Until the mid-20th century, up to 30,000 mules were bred annually in the Poitou region and exported around the world. But as mechanization increased around World War II, demand for mules fell and the market crashed. The numbers of both mules and donkeys have decreased significantly.
In 1977, there were only 44 Poitou donkeys left in the world, now they are bred more and there are 450 individuals in the world as of 2005.
at Blogtuan.info – Source: danviet.vn – Read the original article here
