If the wound is under the bars then
do not use a doughnut, yes these
relieve the pressure to the actual
wound site, but they increase the
pressure all around it causing more
wounds over the surrounding area.
It’s best to beat a depression into the
stuffing on the underside of the
saddle then put a couple of stitches
in, straight through all the material
and pull them up tight. This will keep
the saddle away from the wound,
allowing it to heal without putting
extra pressure onto the surrounding
area
.
It goes without saying that the best thing to do if your donkey is wounded is to treat the
area and take it off work until it is healed. The reality is that this saddle is used in areas
where the donkey is an integral part of a hand to mouth existence. If the donkey doesn’t
work today then there is no water or no food tomorrow. Therefore wounds have to heal
whilst the donkey keeps going.
Durability
In Ethiopia these pack saddles last up to 6 months, but they have a pretty tough life
and the donkey owners don’t, as a rule, look after them very well. In Mexico recently I saw
a similar model being used which the owner claimed he’d had for over 20 years. He did take
care of it, and laid a piece of canvas over the top before loading it. He carried firewood
from the forest to his home, a distance of about 12 km, three times a week, and also to the
market where he sold it. The key points to longevity are keeping it dry and well maintained.
Mexican donkey owner with his jute sack pack
saddle, note the piece of canvas over the top,
protecting it from both rain and physical
damage from the firewood he carries. This
packsaddle was used on a different donkey
before this one.
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