OpEd by R.T. Fitch ~ Author/President of Wild Horse Freedom Federation
The Gentle Burros/Donkeys Have a Lot to Share
photo by Terry Fitch
Last Friday, while the BLM concluded their farce of an Advisory Board meeting in D.C. and their helicopter stampede contractors fired up to end the free lives wild horses and burros in Nevada, Terry and I spent the day surrounded by loving, rescued equines at the Todd Mission Ranch only 15 miles from our farm. Marjorie Farabee, ranch equine Manager and Director of Wild Burro Affairs for Wild Horse Freedom Federation, had kindly asked us to stop by and check out the local four-legged inhabitants, some 100+ which does not include the rescued dogs and cats. I must admit, it was a moving experience.
Somehow I was not emotionally prepared for what washed over me once we drove onto the ranch and exited our truck; it was like a tsunami of emotions both spiritual and physical alike. Besides being lovingly assailed by the local barn cats and dogs the donks start to call out for attention with each one beginning to prance and dance in an effort to gain notice, even a paint colt jumped into action and started to chase his ball around the corral in hopes that we would stop by and share a few pats and scratches.
Marjorie and her good friend Abby ~ photo by Terry Fitch
I didn’t know who to talk with first, it was overwhelming as it was obvious these guys were not only used to doling out large portions of love but they were most certainly used to receiving healthy, hands-on doses of affection, also. I guess the closest experience that I could compare it to would be when I offered to help a group of mentality challenged young people attend a field trip many years ago. As on Friday, I stepped out of my truck and was immediately surrounded by strangers who wanted to hug and hold me for helping out and being there for them. I was so moved that I returned to assist this group many times over as it did not make any difference how long it had been since I had seen them last they were always there with the hugs, laughter and total acceptance; you don’t get that sort of unchallenged love, en mass, many places in the world or times in your life. It could become addictive.
But back at the ranch we were treated to a muti-hour tour and introduced, by name, to dozens and dozens of curious and loving equines by Marjorie and ranch owner Johnnie, it was a most pleasant experience. (A few of the guys climbed into the back seat of our truck to come home with us but Marjorie caught them before we left.)
Being a horseman for many years I must confess that I knew little about donkeys outside of the fact that they are cute and their wild cousins, the burros, share the same torture and misfortune that our federally protected wild horses do at the hands of the renegade agency, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). And as of late Marjorie has been instrumental in bringing to light the deadly plight of the wild burros of Texas that are being hunted and gunned down by the Texas Wildlife and Parks Department in an effort to clear the way for the introduction of Big Horn Sheep for Big Money hunting by the Texas Bighorn Society…pretty bloody stuff and a painful contrast to the serene scene we were fortunate to embrace on Friday.
R.T. and new found friend in a mule baby ~ photo by Terry Fitch
Donkeys, mules and rescued horses dot the ranch’s landscape and each one has a name while, likewise, each one has a preference between carrots or ginger snaps…this crew is pretty particular about treats and a pocket full of carrots will ensure that a bevy of braying donks will be joined at your hip for the extent of your visit.
We would like to thank Marjorie for what she does and also for joining our board of directors in an effort to fully round out our endeavor to be the legal voice for the wild equines of the United States. Please stay tuned for the transfer and update of the Wild Horse Freedom Federation website which will include timely and additional information regarding our mutual efforts to save and preserve what is left of the few wild burro herds. Many events are planned in the near future and our valued advocates will be the first to know.
Stop by Donkeys Can Do! http://www.donkeyscando.com/ where Majorie’s good friend and mascot “Abby” blogs about the latest occurrences in the wild and oftentimes turbulent world of the wild burros and domestic donkeys.
Related articles
- Wild Burro Shooting Texas Parks and Wildlife to hold Annual Public Hearing (rtfitch.wordpress.com)
Categories: Horse News, Wild Burros, Wild Horses/Mustangs
Straight from the Horse's Heart 
Good News Sunday…..I love it!!! Great, great story, RT/Terry.
Thanks guys. And a very special thank you goes out the Marjorie and her team for the work they do.
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Whoops…should read “…..TO Marjorie..”, not “the”.
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Denise thank you for the support I see you providing on the burros. We need more like you.
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I love my donkeys. They are the kindest most gentle of all creatures. What kind of monsters shoot donkeys???
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I was thinking that too faith….how does one drop a crosshair on a donkey/burro and then pull the trigger?????? HOW?
And then I remember….wouldn’t they be the same people that haul them to slaughter with the other equines, stab them in the neck, hit them in the head, skin them alive and the politicians in state, fed governments that allow it by ignoring it and condemn consumers to dangerous food all for the status quo, convenience and money?
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These are the same people who profess to be good Christians. WWJD? Just sayin’
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Marjorie,
I am working hard to get the word about this very idea out there. There is, of course, no guarantee that any of them will fly, but putting it out there.
Past history is the best indication of future actions, so Christians and non-Christians alike could assume that Jesus, having chosen the humble burro for one of his last symbolic acts, as foretold in the Old Testament, might cast those individuals connected to this travesty out of the Temple. However, this is not for us to judge, (and in the past I have never verbally uttered an answer to WWJD—but used it as a guide for personal action) so I try to remember when I get angry, that (I believe it is in Psalms) God said, “Vengence is mine.” So I trust that there is nothing that we here on Earth can do that can equal what awaits for those who break God’s spiritual laws. Of course, that includes me as well—I try to be remain mindful of this. But working on the connection between government corruption and its impact on our wild horses and burros severely strains my self-restraint.
Marjorie, you are a miracle worker. It has not even been a month since we met at IEC, and look how much you have accomplished. Of course, you are surrounded by a great team, but you are the driving force.
MLK: Injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere.
MLK: All it takes for evil to prevail is for good people to be sllent and do nothing.
Tonight on CNN at 7:00 DSEST there will be a special on Dr. Martin Luther King and the dedication of our memorial to his life and work. It is supposed to focus in part on his writing.
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http://circleranchtx.com/tag/elkremovals The Gill’s own a 32,000 acre ranch next to BBRSP. They believe in real land stewardship, and wanted the bighorn restored, so they signed the agreement with TPWD and Texas Bighorn Society. They became alarmed when choppers showed up and started blasting away at all the elk on his property. What you will find here are documents about the TBS and their wildlife management plans. Plus, pay attention to their grazing program. Super cool. They may not be fans of the burros, but I don’t think they are their enemies either. BTW, a 10,050 year old horse tooth was found on their property. That is under their pictures files. THIS IS PROOF OF THE CONNECTIONS.
One more note: Change.org informed us that some doofus in Georgia has started a petition to get rid of the burros at the park. Just a heads up.
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My Old Friends,
I must admit that I have only half-heartedly kept up with the fantastic work you do untile recently. Touching on the highlights and moving on has been the style in which my connection has remained intact. The work you are achieving and attention you gain for the voiceless victims in this ordeal is truly touching.
The prompt for my contact this morning is that I can now relate to what, why, and the driver that keeps you steadfast in the movement to protect the equine victims.
Without taking away from your mission, I wanted to let you know I am now likewise engaged in a mission: getting our disabled anglers out of their homes and on fishing trips. The chord struck hard this morning as I read your comments about your emotions, the addictive nature, and the desparity of this situation. My friends, I can relate!!!
As we grow and mature in life it is amazing how our ideations, beliefs, and what we stand for (or won’t stand for) changes.
All that to say, what you do makes a difference and is very inspiring, you encouraged me today and I appreciate you!!
Very Respectfully Submitted,
Capt. Scott Ard
Chair – Southeast Louisiana Chapter of Fishing Has No Boundaries
C) 985-750-1123
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And thank you for your work, Sir! Wonder if your org and the many in our advocacy could combine fishing AND equines, wild and domestic???? 😉
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Denise– We Can! Lets discuss how- I am available right now to discuss this important matter, my work number is 713-599-6304 (will be here until tomorrow) if you would- Please give me a call and lets make initial contact.
Thanks– Scott
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Captain Ard:
Give me some time to figure out the feasibility of the connection. I am honored that you responded to my suggestion, but I don’t know about the therapeutic riding or equine welfare opportunities in specifics for your area.
I do know that many ranches and farms offer combination events with equines and fishing; as to the accessibility to disabled clients, I am unsure.
One thing I am not unsure of….where there is a will, there is a way.
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Dear Sir: I am so excited to see your post. The donkey has been used in therapy with great success in the UK for several decades. The donkey is an empathic healer, and uniquely qualified for helping patients with head injuries. The work with donkeys has been extensive in England, France, Spain and Mexico. Donkeys are particularly fond of children so the work has centered around helping them in the UK and France. Spain and Mexico have enlarged the study area to include work with memory patients. These programs are all reporting great success! We have mammoth donkeys, that can easily carry the weight of an adult. With all the head injuries coming back, we think our donkeys can help. Just being with them is a healing experience.. Imagine if we had qualified therapists to help?
Please feel free to call me at 936 894 9529.
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R. T.,
Thank you for this beautiful, inspiring story. I have only known one donkey. He was a pet at one of the trainer’s I hired to work with my mustang. One cold night, I had stayed long after every left to hang out with my my mare pal, and that little donkey hung right with me. When it was time to go, i, that little donkey had its head, neck, and chest as far in my little SUV as she could get herself. I could have just donkey-napped her on the spot—she was so sweet, and it was comforting to have a little living protection in this out of the beaten path area.
This may be an irrelevant question, but my uncle, who was by profession a veterinarian, raised and showed sheep. He kept a donkey to protect his herd, so just extending this out a little bit, if the Texas Wildlife and Parks Department was reintroducing the Big Horn sheep just to have another species in the park, wouldn’t it make sense to keep the burros there for protection. I had forgotten this untll looking for something else, I found a reference to some studies on donkeys as guardians for sheep.
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An inspiruing Sunday story–many thanks.
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Thank You RT a wonderful Sunday morning Story !!!! I wonder if there are any Angels left in heaven????? I believe they all reside right here !!!!! Thanks to all here,,,,,,,,,,, How do the monsters at slaughter live with themselves, how do the monsters at the BLM look in the mirror , and better yet what do they see when they look there…………????????????? Do these people have Mothers and what do their Mothers think when they look at what they brought to this world???????
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Todd Mission Ranch has an angel named Charles. Please go to Abby’s blog and the story is in this months archives. We have wings.
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here’s my favorite about the little creatures….Does everyone know the story of the marks on the burros back? Because the burro had carried the weight of Jesus on his back with such love, when he saw him struggling with the weight of the cross on the way to the crucificion, he wanted to do that for him as well. The Roman soldiers wouldn”t allow that so, God told the burro it was ok and instead he would put the sign of the cross on his back anyway to remind people of Jesus suffering for their sins each time they see a burro….think about THAT next time you get one in your gun sites!!!
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@LBBain: You will probably enjoy the words to the song “Brays” that I typed in the comments section of this blog by R.T.: https://rtfitch.wordpress.com/2011/09/27/advocates-outraged-at-texas-shooting-of-wild-burros.
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Oops, I meant to write LJBain…. sorry!
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I was trying to educate myself on the Big Bend situation and realize….I am very CONFUSED!
Marjorie? You out there? Question: What is the difference between the NPS Big Bend National Park and Big Bend “Ranch” State Park? Where are the burros being shot?
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Thanks Laura.
That was what I was thinking, then exploded mentally and logically, that the 1971 ACT is so much CRAP!!!!!
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Laura quite honestly, I am still confused about this issue, because we uncovered through FOIA the park’s concern over the protections of the wild burro. They stated that they were protected, but it is murky, so they are going on the guidelines introduced by our dearly beloved Conrad Burns They are concerned enough that they have launched a cover my burro campaign to make the burro’s appear to have just shown up, and to be domestic ag stock from Mexico. It is very slimy reading I am doing right now. I just received about 20lb more of paper from them, in addition to the FOIA documents already in our possession. Karen Luce is one helluva researcher. Her experience in the DNR of WI and environmental science degree helps her to wade through the code words. I have been up reading until 6am every morning, and finding more damning evidence with each page I turn..
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Good Lord….go here and read:
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/hunt/public/
and then go here and read about equines and the Native Peoples:
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/big_bend_ranch/cultural_resources.phtml
read the dates of the archaeological finds!
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Lieutenant William H. Echols led his experimental caravan of 24 camels, 25 pack mules and 31 soldiers through the Terneros Creek valley, which extends across the western and northern areas of BBRSP.. Gotta have donkeys to make mules.
Also, in a 32,000 acre ranch attached to the park they found a 10,050 year old horse tooth.
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This year!!
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I think I’m going to vomit….Salazar is getting more warm, fuzzy face time dedicating the MLK Memorial in DC today.
I cannot stand that man….and he get’s to introduce the President. YUCK!!!
Oh and now he is claiming King helped him become what he is today.
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Strike that…he preceded Ms Aretha Franklin….he is still a creep calling for justice, etc. Where’s the justice for the wild equines of the US Sec Salazar?
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Salazar had NO business being at that dedication. He is the exact antithesis of what Dr. King stood for. That is an insult to the memory of a great man.
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I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Marjoree and visiting The Todd Mission Ranch. We met her in a round about way, and someone told us we just HAD to meet her because like me, she is a great equine artist. She took us on a wonderful afternoon tour of the ranch and Miss Abbey gave us a donkey cart ride – with all those jacks running and braying and trying to get Miss Abbey’s attention! All to no availe! We met Johnnie and he seems like a very gentle and peaceful person and seems to totally love the animals. The day we were there they had just brought home a rescued paint stud about 2 or 3 years old. He had been injured in the leg, but he was one of the most gentle and pleasant of boys I’ve met.
Marjoree is 110% dedicated and should be an inspiration to us all.
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Kerry thank you, we’ve been looking for your return. Join us in Alpine on November 17th -20th for a town hall followed by a rally at the Art Walk. We are going to be in the Art Car parade with an Art Cart. I am going to try to talk Terry into riding my mammoth jenny Miss Hannah in the parade. Join us!!
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DENISE I AGREE WITH YOU. I JUST TURNED ON THE TV AND THERE WAS SALAZAR AT THE DEDICATION. IT MADE ME SICK AS I CANNOT STAND TO LOOK AT THAT MAN HE IS PURE EVIL. AN OUTSTANDING GOOD AMERICAN SHOULD OF MADE THE DEDICTION NOT SALAZAR. HE IS TYPICAL OF THE NWO. THE PICKED BOY OF OUR FRIEND OUT OF NEVADA WHO ALSO PICKED ABBEY AND GOT THEM BOTH THEIR POSITIONS.
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Well, no doubt about it….Obama and Salazar are gushy, love fest buds.
Obama is either ignorant or a collaborator; either way, not good for our resources, wild life or lands.
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Love, love, love the burros. Always have.
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Can you join us in Alpine in November?
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I wish I could! Would love to. But sorry to say that the 1% would like my income to remain at survival levels for the good of capitalism and their annual bonuses.
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Wonderful! Thanks RT! I follow the Todd Mission Ranch on FB & loved seeing them through your eyes. I do all I can for the wild ones, burro or horse. All of ya’ll are a beacon of hope in this dismal darkness of mismanagement & genocide at the hands of the BLM & our messed up government. It is my dream to visit your ranch & the Todd Mission Ranch one day. Ya’ll are always in my prayers. God Bless.
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Naomi, I have a brush with your name on it. The donks love grooming! Come on, we love visitors.
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Thank you for this great story of the donks RT. We moved our rescued horses to a different ranch and while scoping out the fellow equids I looked up and saw a donkey–my heart picked up and a smile crossed my face, they always have that effect on me.
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Yes, they do. That is why they make outstanding therapy animals.
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I knew President Obama when he represented Illinois. He is not the same person because he always would stand for the under dog. Politics and money change a person greatly. We all know the platform that he ran on and it definitely is not would we all heard. Like I said before Salazar is the worst head of the Interior than we ever had. I don’t know how the people in Nevada can stand Harry Reid anymore. Its too bad he was reelected again. I meet people who say that their vote doesn’t. But in very close elections it can be the deciding factor in electing a candidate who is supporting and protecting your programs. Personally, I don’t know how they all sleep at night except for the fact they must be all demons from hell. LJ, I too knew the story about the cross which is located on the burros. Perhaps it will be a triple dose at the Pearly Gates for those killing one of God’s special creatures. Today is Sunday and I wish everyone who reads this a great day. Please take time to see or call those who are very close to you. As usual, I will be bringing out carrots to my very special companion, Nicholas. I look at him and I am always reminded that he could have ended up in the pipeline. I suppose God was looking after him and God chose to put him in my hands. When the previous owner signed the sale papers, I told him he would never suffer at the hands of another human being again. When the previous owner left, he looked at me with those large big brown Arabian eyes speaking from his heart and he said “Thank you, I will love you forever.”
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We have to have some music for this
Donkey Serenade
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What fun Louie, my favorite shot was the second from the beginning with the heads tilted and ears all askew. That and the second from the end-looks like that is a well-worn rolling hole 🙂
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I was just thinking the same thing about the well-worn dirt circle, MorganG. An especially cute one had one ear flat and one ear standing straight up — in the shape of a backwards “L.” But they’re all a-donk-able! Thanks for posting, Louie.
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Here’s a little trivia for you, Morgan, and I am not pulling your chain. Those well worn rolling holes are called …wait for it……ass holes. Yes, true. Learned it in an assology class at TAMU.
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Unsure of Ms. Jeannette MacDonald’s lyrics on the video, I searched on a random website and found these:
Lyrics to “Donkey Serenade”
There’s a song in the air,
But the fair senorita
doesn’t seem to care
for the song in the air.
So I’ll sing to my donkey,
if you’re sure she won’t think that I am just a fool,
serenading a donkey.
Amigo mio, does she not have a dainty bray?
She listens carefully to each little word we play.
La bella Senorita?
Si, si, mi muchachito,
She’d love to sing it too if only she knew the way.
But try as she may,
in her voice there’s a flaw!
And all that the lady can say
is “E-E-AW!”
There’s a light in her eye,
Tho’ she may try to hide it,
She cannot deny,
there’s a light in her eye.
Oh! the charm of her smile
so beguiles all who see her
that they’d ride a mile
for the charm of her smile.
Amigo mio, is she listenin’ to my song?
No, no mi muchachito, how could you be so wrong?
La bella Senorita?
Si,Si, la senorita,
If she knew al the words,
Well, maybe she’d sing along. . .
Her face is a dream
like an angel I saw!
But all that my darlin’ can scream
is: “E-E-AW!”
Senorita donkeysita, not so fleet as a mosquito,
but so sweet like my Chiquita,
you’re the one for me.
You’re. . .the. . .one. . .for me!
(Music by Rudolf Friml and Herbert Stothart, with
lyrics by Robert Wright and George Forest, 1937
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The lyrics are as sweet as the photos. Thanks for finding and posting them, Janet! 🙂
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Not crazy about the music–what can I say I’m fussy…but the pictures were ADORABLE! OMG donks are so CUTE!
And they can be used for hippotherapy? I’ve been thinking about a horse for like liberty training. I confess to not knowing even a smidgeon of what I need to–to move forward at this point.
Can donks be used for liberty training? Like Lukas–Karen’s horse–who is like the smartest horse in the world? Lukas can be found at PlayingwithLukas–I think it’s .org or .com. He’s also on fb too.
I weigh way too much to make a donk pull a cart much less me in it. But to have a equine pal–keeps me thinking and the brain churning.
Books–please feel free to recommend books. I love reading. Is my equine (horse) library applicable here?
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Margaret, no fear there is a donkey for you. Have you ever seen a mammoth? Also two standards side by side are a lovely pull. Trust me, they can dig in and pull quite easily. I have a friend who has three mini’s side by side pulling her cart. She said the third one was the one that smoothed out the pull.
Yes they can learn liberty training but they learn it at a different pace. My suggestion is to go to Meredith Hodges page google lucky three ranch. There is nobody that knows more about donkey and mule training. Also Pat Parelli is big on mules.
With donkeys and mules there is a certain amount of negotiation that must occur. There is no point in even working with them unless you have developed a relationship first. Seriously, the most important part of training a donkey is the time you spend with them in the beginning. They, like people, are all different. Go in and read a book to see what their personality is like. When they come to you, and stay with you, they are ready. If you start training without doing this, any corrective action you take will be resented instead of accepted as a cue. Does this make sense?
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I’m thinking more like-hiking buddies. But without leads or bridles. Just pals. Kinda like a pasture pal–only equinepalmanship!
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Morgan, they are fun. They also love pancakes. We had one in the field next to us and he could smell pancakes a mile away. Just opening the back door would get him started.
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That’s hysterical Louie. I’ll never make pancakes again without thinking of that and smiling. I think God gave us the long ears so we wouldn’t forget how to laugh.
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Have you ever fed them melon? They love melons, like honey dew. Yum! Juice running all over their smiling happy faces.
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Question for you. Is it true that most donkeys don’t get along with dogs and will stomp them or is that just another of those weird, ugly rumors? I keep hearing that all the time. Maybe people who float this rumor just have obnoxious dogs.
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http://www.toddmissionranch.com Our ranch dog Sheila plays regularly with our donkeys. She entices them to chase her. They act like they are, and when they are in “kill” zone they jump over her. I am saying this because they know the difference between a real predator’s behavior and the family dog. Yes, they will stomp the life out of a dog that has bad intent, but joyfully play with one that has an established relationship. These are very intelligent animals, they know the difference.
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thanks, that makes sense. Unfortunately my dog would get stomped I’m sure. High prey drive, kills skunks and doesn’t even care that he gets sprayed.
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R.T. thank you for coming on Sunday! Having you and Terry here made our day, and of course Johnny loves to show off his “family”. You are right they all have names, and personalities. The mule baby you were getting to know is named Sgt. Robert. Wasn’t he a hoot! He is such an in-your-pocket little guy it makes walking around the pasture without him attached a bit of a challenge. He wants to know EVERY thing.
This has been a journey that has taken twists and turns along the way. The focus has never changed from saving the burros in the park, that was and is the goal. What HAS changed is an understanding of the level of corruption involved with their on going massacre. It goes all the way to the top, and we can prove it.
The Wild Burro Protection League is the action center for saving these remarkable culturally historic animals from the cross hairs of these ignorant people. The Wild Horse Freedom Federation is coordinating legal efforts for our equine causes. (all donations go directly to legal funds supporting our wild hearts)
Karen Luce (Van Atta) and I co-founded the WBPL so there would be an action oriented group devoted to the burros. With her experience working for the Department of Natural Resources in WI and a degree in environmental sciences, our research capabilities skyrocketed. We have such talented members, I cannot name them all but people like Craig Downer, Terry Fitch and Carl Mrozek are a few of our active members.
We are now in the possession of damning FOIA documents, and we have a full understanding of the enormity of the enemies the sweet little burros are up against. For instance, the chairman of the TPWD commissioners meeting that I spoke in front of in Austin this year, Peter Holt, gave $537,740. in campaign contributions to Rick Perry. We have found that the members of the Texas Bighorn Society have also contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to his campaign, as well. And, just when we thought the swamp couldn’t get any slimier we have also discovered that the Texas Bighorn Society has a contract with not only the parks but with the Mexican government to manage wildlife in the bighorn restoration areas. This was really alarming news because these burros have followed an ancestral route through the Sierra del Carmens for centuries. This is why they migrate back and forth from Mexico, and have done so since the 1500’s.
I have made statements in the past about them not using choppers to shoot these burros, I am very uncertain as to whether I can make that statement anymore. The park is out of control. In their maniacal obsession to reintroduce the bighorn sheep, every other aspect of the environment takes second place in importance. Every decision they make is seen through the lens of bighorns and big money hunting. Thus, the park is no long meeting its mission statement of preserving the cultural history of the park.
Frankly, I can not think of an animal that has more cultural distinction to Texas than the burro! They were in the area when the Southern Pacific Rail Road came through Big Bend and was completed in 1882. (who do you think helped build it?) They were there for the mercury mining in Terlingua which started in 1899. Area resident who wear wisdom lines on their face tell of seeing the free roaming wild burros from the time of their youth. The documentation of their existence in the area goes back all the way to Cabeza de Vaca who brought them here from Spain in 1527.
Now, Texas Parks and Wildlife wants to pretend like they just showed up yesterday. An internal memo from parks director David Riskind shows him trying to find out if the burros were listed as assets with the property when they purchased it in 1988. The response he got to his inquiry was that they were not, so now they are publicly trying to discredit the rights of these burros to their ancestral home. It is sickening. Their fact sheet is completely false. I would appreciate it if each of you would go to their page and let them know you know that Dr. Jay Kirkpatrick and others say the burro is native and that the burro is in all the history books about the region complete with pictures. http://www.facebook.com/texasparksandwildlife
In closing, I want to invite all of you to come to Alpine, TX on Nov 17th when we conduct a town hall meeting to save the burros. We want to empower these local people to let them know the nation is behind them. They want the burro to stay in the park, it enhances their cultural ambiance. They would love to be able to promote the burro for tourism but are presently aware that there are so few and those few are so scared they will not be easily found to view. They want to stop this madness, and our town hall is meant to bring all together to bring a resolution to the insanity currently being passed off as “wildlife management’. Austin is not trying to conserve or protect the cultural history of the area, or they would not even consider shooting one its biggest icons, the National Heritage Species the burro. Last time I checked the bighorn had not received such a designation. What kind of hunter shoots burros anyway? I have friends who hunt who are completely opposed to this.
R.T., and Terry my animals loved you both, it was incredible to watch how they warmed up to both of you. Thank you so much for coming. It was worth seeing one of your rescues from hurricane Rita here too, wasn’t it? Casper is hard to forget. Thank you for you support, and Terry thank you for going with me to Alpine. Will you ride Hannah in the parade on Sunday?! I will be driving Miss Abby.
Let them know we aren’t falling for their lies. We are made as hell and we are not going to take it anymore. Que viven Los burros!!
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See! I am so mad I could not write it correctly. WE ARE MAD AS HELL AND WE ARE NOT GOING TO TAKE IT ANY MORE!!!!! The Burro Protection League and Wild Horse Freedom Federation will be in Alpine, TX from the 17th until the 20th of November. Come if you can. The town which is artsy holds its annual Art Walk on the weekend of our townhall, and we have been asked to participate in the parade.
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I just read what I wrote and made a huge mistake on the first line. R.T. and Terry were here on FRIDAY. Told you guys I have been burning the midnight oil. GEEZ sorry about that.
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Denise, I followed the links that you posted and this is caught my eye, so I’m wondering….WHAT exotic animals? From where? How is it, then, that the Burros are such a problem?
TPWD offers special hunt package drawings for EXOTIC wildlife and quality native animals on TPWD managed lands as well as specially leased private properties
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Well, I was certainly confused.
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We have a cornucopia of information available on our page the Wild Burro Protection League. It is easily accessed through Abby’s blog http://donkeyscando.blogspot.com Look at the tabs at the top, plus she has lots of info too.
They are careful NOT to say burro in their documents they are “other exotic” or “nuisance”, “feral”, or “invasive”. It is rare to see them mentioned by name. And, yes they can provide hunting permits to ordinary citizen to shoot them.
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Consider this, the Big Bend Ranch State Park and the Big Bend National park have a combined land holding of almost one million acres. BBRSP has 300,000 acres of those holdings. The two parks are being controlled by the Texas Bighorn Society who adheres to the guidelines of the Sierra Club. The National park is also playing the game of saying they just recently showed up and they are ALL domestic livestock from Mexico. (a little racist undercurrent here). We have photos of wild burros in the National park from 1965 and reports of them being there from several sources throughout the centuries. It is troubling that 300 burros (lucky if there are THAT many) cannot live on one million acres. Greed, and selfishness are the ingredients to park management now. The public be damned. The governor has their back.
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Thanks Marjorie.
My confusion is that even the second link I provided recognizes the documented long, long history of the equines in that area; along with the Native Peoples.
I just don’t understand how they (the fed and state park creeps) can showcase their (the burros and other equines) and then SHOOT THEM on the other hand! It is Batsh*t crazy!!!!!
Hope you can hook up with Captain Ard…please call him.
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Although having been around horses most of my life, until this summer I had never been close to or even touched a burro. Then… I met Houdina. She got that name by her incredible ability to appear and disappear in and out of fenced pastures. As I was standing around watching wild horses in a safe sanctuary …. she silently came up from behind me until I saw her out of the corner of my eye and knowing that any animal should be given space until you are sure it is safe for you and the animal to co-mingle … I retreated to my truck. Knowing now what I know about her … she must have thought that it was a strange thing for me to do and so she proceeded to come closer and closer and try to look at herself in the rear view mirror and stick her nose up toward the window as if to say “Hi, I am friendly so why don’t you come out here and give me a few scratches and hugs”. Well, it didn’t take me long to understand what she was saying to me and of course I did exactly what she suggested … for hours she became my shadow and of course we are now “best friends”.
Just a little heart-warming story for our Sunday. 🙂
This is also a good opportunity to thank everyone who does any little (or big) thing each and every day to help our wild ones. Thank you all.
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Marjorie,
Scott, Denise, and you have pooled together some important ideas here of using the donkey as a therapy animal for brain injurred individuals. We have a large percentage of our population in this state who are serving in the armed services and those who are veterans. A lot of work our Congressional delegation works on is related to improving conditions for our military and their families, and expanding benefits for our veterans, particularly the disabled. I have written to them before about the use of wild equines in the treatment of soldiers with PTSD, but this opens up a whole new dimension of possibilities.
I worked in rec. therapy/physical education for the handicapped for the first eight years or so after college. I am working on two issues right now, but I want to get back to this one. This could be a win-win if we could draw the right experience and the right minds together.
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Estimates are that 1 in 4 vets suffer from PTSD. We have 50,000 wild horses and burros in captivity. It would be great to turn this into a win-win somehow.
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Group– we have a horse therapy / rehab concept here (South Louisiana) , it has great acclaim and much success– the local community is very supportive and appreciates the opportunity made for disabled horse lovers. I know nothing about horses, but I can help organize and support a broader movement here.
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Check out the Donkey Sanctuary in Devon England. And Refugio in Spain. I am going there in a month (after Alpine town hall) to gain knowledge about this important work. They have had great success for several decades. The donkey is especially well suited because they have a stronger connection to humans, and a low spook factor. The use of our mammoths will make accommodating adults possible. Furthermore, there is now work underway on memory loss and the use of burros. It is having great results too, and the use of standards for this therapy is possible for adults.
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Been following the Donkey Sanctuary in England for years. Founded by a saint, who I think passed away last year. Cannot recall her name at the moment.
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Her name was Dr. Elisabeth Svendson. Abby wrote a very heart felt piece about her when she passed. Check it out, in archives.
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I think folks/advocates that see the injustice and cruelty of the WH&B program have a real chance at litigation based on the disaster that is wild equine management of the Big Bend Parks (state and Fed)….just like the NV “Virginia” range equines. What a travesty!
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Donkeyscando: Thank you for all your work for the donkeys and burros. I help out at a sanctuary here in So. California and I had never been near a donkey or burro before. She has two in one pen, one is Roberto, the other Burrito. I love Burrito. I was helping the owner do some treatment on Roberto and little Burrito came over, put in head on my arms, and I couldn’t resist giving him hugs and kisses. He stayed there for a long time eating it up. I just love him. The other four donkeys she has, there are two that when I help muck their corral, they follow me around and I love them as well. They are so sweet. Only God could give us such beautiful animals to love, our horses, burros, and donkeys. And, Gail, Give Nicholas a kiss for me. I love Arabians and just six months or so ago saved a grey one that was heading for auction. I have to start training him as he has not been trained, will not let us halter, put fly mask on him or groom him. We were able to groom him once at best but he knows he can run, jump, buck and get away with it, so our job is ahead of us. I have two black Arabians that were starving to death in a field that I hope to get after the first of the year.
Also, I would love to visit TOdd Mission Ranch if I ever get to Texas. And, by the way, to those of who who wonder how killer buyers and all the horrible BLM, Salazar, Abbey, and such, can look at themselves in the mirror. They don’t, they probably close their eyes so they don’t have to look at their despicable selves.
I wish I had the funds of Madeleine Pickens and I, too, would be buying up land to release BLM horses and areas for auction bound horses to live until a new loving home could be found for them. I love them all and don’t understand how anyone can do the these magnificent animals what is occurring how, slaughter and roundup, as well as the Texas killers.
They will need help because I don’t think God will give them any when judgment day comes.
God Bless you and keep up your good work. That goes to you R.T. and Laura Leigh as well.
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What about the Texas state legislature? Do the Burros have any friends there?
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Yes, maybe. At least when Craig Downer and I were there we found a few who listened intently and took our handouts. It is hard to say who the real friends are. Unfortunately, Texas meet only on odd years. These burros will be all dead by 2013.
We can not wait for it, unless we can get a TRO, and to do that we need standing. Personally, I believe they cannot argue their cultural value, and historical significance.
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Louisiana’s Senator Mary Landrieu is a friend to our Wild Horses and Burros. She is NOT happy with the BLM. You might find support there for the Burro/rehab therapy in Louisiana.
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Marjorie,
Is there anything else that we can do right now. I have emailed the Texas Park and Wildlife, and the “Governor’s Office”???. I have telephoned both and expressed my outrage, about the burros. Also that Big Bend would be turned into a place for wealthy game hunters, distresses me. I like it as it is. Family fun and interesting place to visit. hike, ride, see nature. Is there anything to stop them before it is too late. I just hate that these decisions are made without the knowledge and consent of the people who own this land.. The Citizens. I’m ready to occupy something!
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Nice to see Marjorie finally getting some support and recognition. She’s been working so hard on behalf of longears for a long time in a battle where both horses and burros are casualties in the war, but in a crusade where the word ‘horse’ has become a ‘one moniker fits all’ term for all equines, the plight of the burros receive very little mention- or attention.
By the time Marjorie is through with the burro haters in this country, they’ll wish they’d been kicked in the heads by a stout Army mule instead. Hope others step up to help arm her and her little army. They need all our help.
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I found this, please read the entire obituary:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/elouise-cobell-american-indian-who-championed-class-action-lawsuit-against-us-government-dies-at-65/2011/09/02/gIQAVQwBrL_story.html?hpid=z4
Why is this obituary important? This lady, a Native American took on the Federal government and WON! Pay particular attention to the background on the legal case, the judge and his opinion on the DOI. Sadly, this case took forever, although she lived to see the settlement. I think there are many parallels for the wild equine litigants and advocates. Our burros and mustangs and lands are being treated the same way, with the same incompetence.
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That’s a beautiful tribute to a resilient woman who fought for justice and prevailed. Every time I read about someone with that kind of inner strength and perseverance, it helps me realize that our own advocacy work is not in vain.
Yes, the parallels are apparent in the treatment of the Native Americans and the wild equines, in that they both seem to be powerless. But perhaps the appearance of powerlessness is deceptive: having Truth on one’s side is true power! The power of Truth and of goodness never fades, never dies.
Jonathan Swift said this of power: “Power is no blessing in itself, but when it is employed to protect the innocent.”
Thanks so much for giving us this link, Denise.
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Denise, Thank you for posting this. I’m sorry to know that she died, but glad that she lived long enough to see her mission completed.
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the killing of the burros and capturing of the mustangs needs to stop, for years i have been signing petitions, and cross posting information and it still goes on, the Keiger mustangs are no longer free, what has to be done to get it all to end.?
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I am saddened by her passing, BUT…what she and the judge said in this lengthy case is imperative to our cause.
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It was posted here quite some time back.
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