The Island of Rhea , or Île-de-Ré inward French , off the westward coast of French Republic close La Rochelle , is a pop summertime finish known for its gently sloping , sandy beaches , cool waters too constant low-cal breeze , which are a existent process for families too tourists. The island’s other famous attraction are its donkeys.
The donkeys of Ile de Ré are no ordinary breed —they are Poitou donkeys , or Baudet du Poitou inward French. Originating from the Poitou share of French Republic , they are ane of the largest ass breeds , too because of their size they were employed largely equally working mules inward the island’s common salt industry. The nearly distinguishing characteristic of Poitou donkeys , apart from their size , is their long shaggy coat , called a cadanette , which hangs inward long , ungroomed cords that farther emphasizes their above-average size.
A distich of Poitou donkeys inward their traditional garb. Photo credit: Jiel Beaumadier/Wikimedia
Because of their size too forcefulness , Poitou donkeys were pose to operate inward the common salt marshes of the Charente Maritime , too on fields where they were oft troubled past times mosquitoes too põrnikas bites. In social club to protect the animals’ legs from musquito too other põrnikas bites , the owners would accept them habiliment especially made trousers each 24-hour interval earlier they went to work. The trousers were made of sometime carmine Vichy blueprint drape fabrics or grayness striped mattress ticking , giving them the advert “Anes en Culotte” or “donkeys inward panties”.
Donkeys are no longer used for operate inward the common salt marshes , exactly the tradition of wearing trousers continues to this 24-hour interval , generally to describe tourists.
Poitou mules were ane time the nearly sought afterward throughout Europe , too were called the "finest working mule inward the world”. Until the midpoint of the 20th century , upward to xxx ,000 mules were bred annually inward the Poitou share too exported all over the world. But equally mechanization increased to a greater extent than or less World War II , the involve for mules decreased too the marketplace collapsed. The population of both mules too donkeys dropped dramatically. In 1977 , exclusively 44 Poitou donkeys remained worldwide. Thanks to conservation efforts inward the latter decades of the 20th century , in that location are right away over 450 Poitou donkeys inward the the world equally of 2005.
Photo credit: Jiel Beaumadier/Wikimedia
An undated postcard of a Poitou ass working on the common salt marsh. Photo credit: nymoon/www.delcampe.net
A Poitou ass without his trouser. Photo credit: Tambako The Jaguar/Flickr
Sources: Poitou Charentes Vendée / France uncovered / Wikipedia