Getting a Good Scratch With Scratch n All!
Who doesn’t like a good scratch from time to time? If you have pets, as I do, I’m sure you’re aware that most animals spend a great deal of time self-grooming and figuring out ways to scratch themselves. My miniature donkeys, Clive, Rufus, and Billie scratch all the time by rolling on their backs and rubbing against rigid surfaces. In fact, the corners of their paddock shelter were getting worn away by all of their frequent rubbing and scratching. I talked to Betsy, my stable manager, about this and she agreed to keep her eyes and ears open for a solution.
Last November, Betsy attended The Equine Affaire in Massachusetts and came across a product called Scratch n All, invented by Cynthia Garry. These nubby pads are designed to be used in stables, barns, kennels, zoos, and in homes. They can be used separately or interlocked, creating surfaces in any size or shape. Plus, they can bend around corners! A perfect solution for the problem with the donkey shelter.
1 This is Betsy Perreten, my stable manager, with Cynthia Garry, the inventor of Scratch n All. Cynthia was in the area recently and wanted to stop by for a visit with Betsy and the donkeys.
2 Cynthia invented Scratch n All about four years ago to satisfy the self-grooming and scratching needs of her animals. In addition to sable, they come in nine other colors.
3 The nubby surface of the pads is perfect for a satisfying scratch. They can be used flat or folded around a corner. They have an interlocking design, so you can make the scratching surface as big or small as you like.
4 I had three Scratch n All pads installed on all four corners of the donkey shed.
5 Clive, Rufus, and Billie were already using the corners to scratch on and were actually wearing away the wood.
6 So, not only are they a better scratching device, but the pads are also protecting the shed from the donkeys' rubbing.
7 Gelbu brought the donkeys out from the cool stable to meet Cynthia in their paddock.
8 That's Rufus, Billie, and Clive - my adorable miniature donkeys, which are native to the Mediterranean islands of Sicily and Sardinia.
9 Cynthia, who is great with animals, is a long-time animal lover from Dillsburg, Pennsylvania, where she keeps two dogs, a horse, and a donkey of her own.
10 Miniature donkeys are, by nature, extremely friendly and affectionate. The life expectancy for well-cared for miniature donkeys is approximately 30 to 35 years, making them a true lifetime pet.
11 They are also very playful and enjoy rolling their balls around in the paddock.
12 The average height of these donkeys is about 33 to 34-inches at the withers, from the ground to the highest point of the front shoulder.
13 Quite suddenly, it was time to go to the shed for a good scratch.
14 Clive enjoys rubbing his cheek against the Scratch n All.
15 Ahhh!!! Billy is a seasoned scratching pro!
16 Rufus was still scratching even though their bridles were back on to lead them back to the stable.
17 The donkeys have put Scratch n All to good use!
18 My Black Welsh Mountain Sheep spend their days in a different paddock and they also enjoy a vigorous scratch. They rub up against many things, as the ewe is doing on the metal gate.
19 This dual-use breed of sheep originated in Wales.
20 They were bred in the Middle Ages for that deep black wool by Benedictine monks, who used it for their robes.
21 They were also prized for their fine, succulent mutton.
22 The males sport a true mountain sheep set of curled black horns, which grow larger as the sheep matures.
23 Like the donkeys, the sheep also love Scratch n All!
24 The ewe passes by one corner.
25 While the ram takes advantage of another.
26 Just like the donkey shed, the Scratch n Alls are protecting the corners of the sheep shelter.
What a Great idea! I used to work with a man who could have used one of those.
The animals look good and makes me wish I had some donkeys like yours.
Gloria G!!
Posted by: Gloria | August 23rd, 2011 at 12:25 am
Way to go Cyn! I knew you had a product that would catch on...or should I say "scratch on". So happy for you. People are going to love it. Sheila
Posted by: Sheila Myers | August 23rd, 2011 at 8:34 am
Hi Martha, Scratch n All! What a terrific item to help your farm animals scratch themselves! Cynthia Garry certainly did come up with a great product and her website sure was fun to see how it works. I recall seeing another blog post about Betsy adding Scratch n All to the corners of your minature donkey's shed. Rufus, Clive, and Billie sure do look like they are enjoying the Scratch n Alls. Your beautiful black sheep sure enjoy the Scratch n All, also. Do you use these for your horses, too? You have the best animals there at your farm who are so lucky to have such good care from You, Betsy, and all of the other helpers! I love seeing all of them! Off to see The Daily Wag with A Muddy Hike in Maine! Have a great day! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | August 23rd, 2011 at 9:40 am
Hi Martha,
You just made me itch all over – I had to hunt down my back scratcher! Scratch n All is such a useful product – you did mention before that you planned on getting them or that you did and needed to install them. Now you have happier donkeys and sheep and maybe the horses use them too. Those pads are similar to the nubby surfaces on my steering wheel cover that is supposed to be for comfort driving but it is also handy to scratch the palms of my hands. It works great. Thanks for this cute blog and may the itch be conquered! Trish
Posted by: Trish | August 23rd, 2011 at 9:48 am
Martha,
You are right who doesn't enjoy a good scratch from time to time. I'm always getting my mom to scratch my back in which she complains about doing. Your sweet animals now have it made with the Scratch N All product. Thanks for sharing this blog.
Posted by: KLBrown | August 23rd, 2011 at 10:26 am
Looks like animals love them . Perhaps they might be installed a bit higher on the corners? Take one from very bottom an put on top.
Posted by: bbade | August 23rd, 2011 at 10:31 am
I know a few humans who could use those. haha
Actually what a great and simple invention!
I love your donkeys, they are absolutely beautiful! (makes me want to come and play on your farm) What beautiful sheep as well! What do you do with their wool?
Posted by: Frances | August 23rd, 2011 at 11:46 am
Hi Martha, what an amazing item to help your farm animals scratch. Great product and a really simple product. Those animals in the picture all sure seem to enjoy the Scratch n All.
Posted by: Adam | August 23rd, 2011 at 11:59 am
How neat! We use a similar, much smaller item like this for our cats. We just screwed it into the wall at an outward-facing corner and the cats have scratches available all day! It even has little pouches for adding catnip, though we've found that unnecessary as the cats can't stay away anyway!
Posted by: Melanie | August 23rd, 2011 at 12:06 pm
Totally love a good female entrepreneur story!
Posted by: Karen | August 23rd, 2011 at 12:19 pm
I love the pics! Donkeys are really something else! It seems like they are treated very well at your house!
Posted by: Sam | August 23rd, 2011 at 12:27 pm
A friend of mine has cows, he uses a recycled grass sweeper from a landscaper that he puts in the field for all the cows to rub up against
Posted by: kristen | August 23rd, 2011 at 12:35 pm
I remember you showed this ingenious device before. I have often thought about it but did not know the product name.
Posted by: jw | August 23rd, 2011 at 4:40 pm
Martha,
This looks like a graet product!
I LOVE your donkeys, especially Rufus. He looks so affectionate!
Posted by: Brian | August 23rd, 2011 at 5:45 pm
I want some of the scratch n alls for my house. I can imagine how good these would work as a people back scratcher..lol!
Posted by: Nicole | August 23rd, 2011 at 7:46 pm
Martha,
thank you for featuring this product, but most of all thanks for the photo of Cynthia. She is a loving, wonderful business woman and a real advocate for animals of all kinds. She is what makes America great!
Mike
Posted by: Mike Henry | August 23rd, 2011 at 11:59 pm
Martha, I watch your show nearly everyday and always come away with something. I love your new kitchen set. I was wondering about all the plants that you have on the set, especially the ferns. Many thanks. Dawn Rathburn
Posted by: Dawn Rathburn | October 7th, 2011 at 2:51 pm