Those of you planning on showing your donkey figurine in Packing or Showmanship classes, this may be of especial interest if you really want to do it up right!

Something that is often overlooked is the correct size of the halter, whether it be made of nylon, rope, or leather. Just like it is uncomfortable for you to wear a peair of shoes that do NOT fit properly, it is likewise uncomfortable for a donkey to wear a halter that does not fit him properly either. In real life, halter manufacturers generally size their halters according to weight based on the average size of a horse. For horses and ponies from 100 to 700 pounds for example, the standard is a head size that is approximately 45% of the animal's height. From 700 to 1500 pounds, then the standard head size lowers slightly to about 40% of the animal's height. For horses over the 1500 pound mark, that standard size is going to go back up to approximately 43% of the animal's height. Well, those standards work out well for HORSES, but unfortunately most donkeys are going to have a head size that is more like 47.5% of their height.

Now can you see the dilema here?

Consider also that the horse halter is likewise designed for an animal who has a long wedge-shaped head compared to the shorter, wider head/broader nose of the donkey. Even if a halter is long enough through the cheek and poll piece to fit the donkey, your donk may still need a size larger to allow for more chin and jaw space.

So, if you're at a show and in need of a halter for your donkey figurine, but only have a tack box full of horsey-type halters, keep in mind it would be far better to add holes to the poll piece to adjust the fit than it would to have the halter be too snug in the nose.

That said, happy fitting!

(This Page last updated: September 21, 2004)