Donkeys from the Redwings Horse Sanctuary with Arsenal Football Club's red socks.
It must be one of the most brilliant pieces of accidental upcycling in sports history. Who knew elite Premier League tech was the missing puzzle piece in equine veterinary care?
The red-and-white socks of English Premier League winners Arsenal were designed for professional soccer players to perform at the highest level of the sport. The fabric helps prevent slipping, makes sweat evaporate quickly and provides special cushioning to limit cramping.
But Arsenal had dozens of unused socks piling up. Instead of collecting dust in a team closet, the socks are now getting a new life protecting rescued donkeys and horses, and helping them heal from injuries.
Employees at the Redwings Horse Sanctuary, which calls itself the largest horse welfare charity in Britain, were shocked when they received an email this year from the Arsenal Football Club, a perennial contender in the English Premier League, which is one of the world’s most-watched sports leagues.The soccer team offered to donate its old socks to the roughly 1,000 equines living at the English sanctuary.
