Ann Byrns' Trip Journal of her walk across America.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
BLM Burros Like to Have Jobs
Yesterday I had the good fortune to attend a donkey clinic given by Dave Freeman of Artois, CA, who showed us how to pack up those burros for the back country. Here he demonstrates how to tie a box hitch.
All packed up and ready to go, these smart little critters like to have jobs to do.
If burro camping is not your idea of a fun vacation, you can train your donkey to drive and then hitch him to a cart. They don't seem bothered by the heat, are easy keepers, and very affectionate.
Here's a head shot of Winchester, a flashy donkey called "Winnie" for short. By days end, I was sold on these sturdy and cute critters. If you want to adopt one, you can find them at BLM auctions or at equine rescues like Hole in the Head Gang, run by Dave's affable wife, Ginny.
This video, shot last year, highlights the second day of my walk with Winnie. The Gazette reporter doesn't seem to know that we started our walk the day before, on June 1st, 2009, walking ten miles, from Pelham, MA to Bri-Mar Farm in Hadley. On June 2nd, we used the Coolidge Bridge to cross the Connecticut River into Northampton, courtesy of the Hadley Police. We reached the home of our gracious hosts, Barb and Jeff Macon, in Southampton, MA, after a trek of thirteen miles.
On this anniversary of Walking With Winnie, I am reminded of all the wonderful people who helped us get to California. Thank you all!
I've been having fun learning some new tricks. That's me taking a bow, but that's not the only trick I can do.
When Mom asks me a silly question like, "Would you like a cookie?" I nod my head. Of course I want a cookie! I also say yes to carrots, apples, and my favorite stud muffin treats.
I can also shake hands. I love to greet my fans when I see them!
Mom has been teaching me a few trail tricks, too, like how to back up between two logs, then turn and back up some more. Mom calls it the "L back-up maneuver." Very easy. We are practicing for the ranch hand fun day at the Paradise Horse Arena coming up on May 22nd. We can go to this event because we are members of the Paradise Horsemen's Association.
I want to go to a national fund raising event on June 13. Money raised from entries will go to horse rescue operations all across the country. The event is sponsored by the American Competitive Trail Horse Association.
Forest Gumption, Jaya's Appaloosa, has been busy learning some new things, too. He is practicing for his first horse show on May 23. If we practice hard, Mom and Jaya say both of us might get to go to the rescue event on June 13. Wouldn't that be swell?
Winnie here, urging you to join the American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign to stop the BLM round-ups of my fellow Mustangs. These are my friends and relatives!
It's Kentucky Derby Day - Please text MUSTANG to 44144 on your cell phone!
Here is the message from their blog:
Lexington/Louisville, KY – March 30, 2010 – As horse enthusiasts flock to Lexington and Louisville in April to attend the big three equine events — Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event, Keeneland Race and Sales, and the Kentucky Derby — they will be greeted by billboards urging them to take action to save America’s wild horses.
“STOP WILD HORSE ROUNDUPS” – “Text MUSTANG to 44144″ is the message of the billboards showcasing large ominous photos of helicopters chasing horses. The billboards debut this week and are sponsored on behalf of the American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign (AWHPC) by coalition partners Return to Freedom’s American Wild Horse Sanctuary, Madeleine Pickens, The Cloud Foundation and Lifesavers Wild Horse Rescue.
To learn more about how the numbers of Mustangs left in the wild are dwindling, follow this link
Yesterday Winnie and I joined the Paradise Horsemen's Association in the Gold Nugget Parade. Winnie wore her pack in honor of the many pack horses, mules and burros that helped build the West.
Today Winnie and I will be at the Paradise Horse Festival to give pony rides and to talk about the wonderful Mustang horses. Their future is endangered. Winnie, Mister Albino and I urge all Winnie Fans and website visitors to learn how they can help save the Mustangs. Click on the links below to get started!
Hi, Fans. We got some sad news from Mister Albino today. It seems our good friend Dixieland Drummer took a turn for the worse and had to be put to sleep.
Dixieland Drummer was a friend we met at the Wyandot County Equine Rescue in Upper Sandusky, Ohio when I was staying there last summer to rest my sore leg. Dixie was a Thoroughbred race horse who broke his leg in a race that he won in West Virginia last May. He came to the Wyandot County Equine Rescue to recuperate. He was a very nice horse and a good and loyal friend. We had lots of fun while I was staying there. We had a great time when we rode in the trailer together on the trip to Findlay University to be evaluated by Dr. Henninger. Dixie and Mister Albino became good friends too. They took to each other right away. Mister Albino liked to rub his nose and tell him stories. Dixie was a brave and beautiful horse with a great personality and we will all miss him.
Dave Balz, who runs the Wyandot County Equine Rescue, and his caring staff took very good care of Dixie during the last year. They gave him a second chance that he wouldn’t have had otherwise. Dave takes in all horses in need of help and he never turns any away. Please visit the Wyandot County Equine Rescue web site and see the good work that they are doing for us horses and other animals.
Please feel free to make a donation in Dixie’s memory to help Dave and his staff continue their remarkable work. Love, Winnie
At midnight on April 8, Mom surprised me with an in-stall sleepover. Slumber parties are so much fun! She stretched out on a cot, but I kept nosing her sleeping bag to keep her awake. I wanted to be scratched in all my favorite spots. Since it was my birthday, she accommodated me. At one a.m. Mom told me to lie down on my nice bed of shavings and go to sleep. Donovan's snoring in the next stall kept me awake for a few minutes. He sure can make a racket with that big nose of his.
In the daytime, Mom, JayaMae, Jake, Declan, Asali, Donovan and Forest surprised me with a birthday party. Mom made me an oatmeal carrot cake. I am four years old now!
I shared the cake with my guests. We all wore party hats. Mom took the rest of the cake down to the main barn, so the other horses could try it.
Then Jake played balloon punch ball with me and we talked about his birthday one month ago, on March 8. He is twice as old as I am, imagine that!
Here I am at Jake's party, smiling at the kids and telling them I only charge one apple slice per ride. Reasonable, don't you think?
All the kids at his birthday party had so much fun. Me too! Giving pony rides is the best job ever.
Mister Albino couldn't come to my party this year because he is back in Connecticut. Mom told me he has to sell a house so he can move here. I can't wait for him to come to California and stay with us forever! He sent me a swell birthday card, "Summer Days" by the artist Claire Goldrick, from Leanin' Tree in Boulder, Colorado.
Inside it said:
We are destined to go as far in life as the will in our hearts and the strength of our spirits can take us.
