The Occibraies
The Occibraies, protection pants against insects
Many insects attack the legs of donkeys during hot weather. The Occibraies make it possible to counter these attacks and allow the animals to rest.
Front legs size S = 64 €
Front legs size M = 69 €
Front legs size L = 74 €
(the pair)
Rear legs size S = 74 €
Rear legs size M = 79 €
Rear legs size L = 84 €
(the pair)
4 legs size S = 138 €
4 legs size M = 148 €
4 legs size L = 158 €
Canvas only size S = 37 €
(the pair)
Canvas only size M = 47 €
(the pair)
Canvas only size L = 57 €
(the pair)
Immediate delivery
Learn more…
Historic
In most of the islands on the Atlantic coast, donkeys were used to carry out agricultural work and trade: carrying salt from the salt pans, bringing back kelp from the coast, plowing the vegetable gardens, pulling carts.
The marsh areas are infested with flies and mosquitoes in summer, and these nasty creatures attack the donkeys’ legs, causing sores and scabs.
The idea came a long time ago to the women of the Île de Ré to make injured donkeys wear pants that were no longer in use, or made from canvas from old mattresses. But as flies and mosquitoes are not limited to the territory of the Ile de Ré, it is appropriate to make these original creations available to all other donkeys.
Construction
The spine of the Occibraies is a piece of leather placed on the spine of the donkey, called the back line. This piece of leather has buckles to adapt to the length of the back.
The front and back pants are attached to this piece of leather, using hook-and-loop fasteners sewn onto leather reinforcements.
These reinforcements are themselves adjustable to adapt the pants to the height of the legs.
The fabric is a medium-thick cotton chambray. We recommend soaking in cold water before adjusting the first time.
The various items supplied with a complete pair of Occibraies :
– Trousers
– Leather reinforcements
– Fabric belt
– Rivets
Leather reinforcements
From the back line, leather reinforcements descend which support the pants.
These leather reinforcements allow you to position the pants at the right height and adapt them to the size of the animal.
Once the pants are adjusted, you can secure the reinforcements with rivets or add a stitch. We use pliers during work.
These leather reinforcements are the same for all sizes S and M.
A clever, cost-effective option
If you wish to put other Occibraies on your donkey, for the look, the time to wash them, for a ceremony, there is no need to buy the whole set (leather, etc…).
You can buy just the fabric. You’ll then have a pair of trousers as shown in the photo, with the little Velcro fastening at the top.
To change trousers, simply undo the Velcro, take off the trousers, put on the new ones and Velcro them back on.
Different sizes – Measure the Occibraies
• Measure H1 at the front: distance between the withers and the top of the hoof.
• Measure H2 at the rear: distance between the top of the buttocks and the top of the hoof.
• Choose the larger of the 2 measurements
– If this measurement is between 103 and 120 cm, you need a size S
– If this measurement is between 120 and 140 cm, you need a size M
– If this measurement is higher than 140 cm, you need a size L
– below 103 cm, please consult us
Precise adjustment is possible thanks to the leather reinforcements.
ATTENTION : Occibraies are very solidly built. Our Occibraies were rigorously tested before being put into service. The leather straps, in particular, have been subjected to very strong pulls to ensure their solidity.
But then…
Nestor can’t stand his friend Alfred wearing those ridiculous trousers. So he’s going to rip them off, methodically, and turn our beautiful seams into pâté.
Then there’s Roudoudou, the six-month-old foal, who doesn’t want to see his mother dressed like that, because it makes it difficult for him to suckle. So he dutifully chews up the cloth and leather with his little teeth to make porridge.
Then there’s Grisou, the mischievous one, who never misses a trick. After devouring the barn door, blowing up his halter and shearing the sulky harness, he’ll get rid of our lovingly stitched Occibraies in a matter of minutes and ruin them completely.
Remember, a donkey’s jaw can turn your arm into a sheet of paper. So an Occibraie, if he doesn’t like it…
Luckily there’s Nénette, Charlot, Grisette and the thousands of others, who will simply start grazing, happy to be rid of the pesky flies…
Randoline guarantees its products, but is not responsible for your donkeys’ clothing phobias…
So after dressing them in Occibraies, watch your animals for an hour. If they continue to eat quietly, you can leave. If they roll around violently, scratch at the fences and run through the brambles, fear the worst and intervene.
And one last piece of advice: don’t leave your donkeys to sleep in the Occibraies…
