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HISTORY: Member News 2007
  Member News 2006
  Member News 2005
 

Dooley Makes New Friends

 

by Brenda Schnabel

 

About a month ago, Scott and I took our mule Dooley and one of our horses to Crawford Creek Cranberry Marsh by Pray, WI (east of Black River Falls), where Scott works. The neighboring marsh and his bosses put on a camping weekend for physically and developmentally disabled kids and adults so we decided to take the animals over there to camp out and possibly give some rides. 
 
We saddled up and rode over to the main camp later in the afternoon. It didn't take long and there was a fairly long line of wet little kids (they were swimming in the pond all day) waiting for a ride on Dooley. Dooley was the star and we ended up giving rides for about an hour.
 
Scott and I especially enjoyed an 11-year-old boy (photo to right), named Michael, with the coke-bottle glasses and the big smile, (who I gave an extra long ride to around the area after we finally got to the end of the long line of waiting kids), and the lady in the wheelchair (photo below) whose caregiver wheeled her right up to me and Dooley, wanting to let her pet him. Her caregiver stated that this lady had never been this close to any horse or mule before. That was just a very special moment for both Scott and me.     
 
Despite the humidity and stormy weather that moved in that night, and that the flies and mosquitoes were just terrible for the animals (and the people), we really enjoyed the day. The kids and adults there seemed to appreciate that we took the time to share our animals and Scott and I went away with a feeling of satisfaction in doing it.   

  [8-25-08]  Back to Top

 

WSHC Youth Education Sponsorship

 

At their board meeting in late July in Columbus, the Wisconsin State Horse Council (WSHC) awarded a $300 Youth Education Sponsorship to the Wisconsin Donkey & Mule Society (WDMS) to be spent for a youth activity within the club.

The 2008 sponsorship will underwrite a clinic about animal health and safety on the trail for club youth under 18. The clinic will be held immediately following the 2008 WDMS Fun Show on August 16 at Red Ridge Ranch in Mauston and is open only to children and grandchildren of WDMS members at no charge. Adult WDMS members may audit the clinic at no charge and may be asked to help with the clinic.  

The club received a $400 WSHC Youth Education Sponsorship in 2007 that paid for a clinic by Smokie Brannaman on Communication, Problem Solving & Respect that was held the Saturday evening of the 2007 State Show in Custer for club youth and their animals.

Photo is of WDMS President Leslie Schmidt (far right) accepting the sponsorship check from WSHC board members. Also in attendance were WDMS members Dian Pinney (far left in blue vest) and (front, L to R) April Dyer and Rachael Schmidt.

  [8-2-08]  Back to Top

 

Our Queen

 

WDMS member Megan Nelson has been crowned the new Miss Eleva 2008!

Megan and her twin brother, Jeremy, have competed on their mules at the WDMS shows since they were tots in lead line classes. Megan was the Grand Champion Hi-Point Mule Rider - 12 & Under at the 2005 WDMS State Show. (Jeremy took that title in 2004.) 

Megan and Jeremy have represented WDMS at the Midwest Horse Fair (MHF) in 2006, 2007 and 2008. They have helped entertain MHF audiences with their jumping mules, Jack and Pete, during the club demos and represented WDMS in the American Horse Idol competition at MHF 2007.   

Megan is the daughter of longtime WDMS members Julie and Bob Nelson, of Eleva.

Congratulations Megan!

 

  [6-5-08]  Back to Top

 

Spring Trail Ride 2008

 

Members and friends enjoyed camping at Ukarydee Equestrian Campground and riding the Castle Rock Trails near  Arkdale, WI the weekend of May 16-18.

The following WDMS members and guests gathered for the 2008 Spring Trail Ride:  (members are listed in bold)
  • Walter Carlson
  • Holly Dardine
  • Jerry & Alissa Heinrich
  • Dian & Matt Pinney
  • Leslie & Rachael Schmidt
  • Mike Snell & Lynn Mach
  • Charles Staubs
  • Anne & Collette Stoflet
  • John & Christine Trochinski
  • Karla Drinkwine & husband Ramon
  • Sharon Emerson
Click for Spring Trail Ride 2008 photos

  [6-1-08]  Back to Top

 

Rewards Offered in Donkey Abuse

 

Sometime the weekend of April 19-20, unknown culprits cut the tail of a donkey jennet, Thelma, owned by WDMS members John & Sue Jazdzewski of Wautoma. The next weekend, their donkey jack, Norton (well-known to Wisconsin longear fans), had his tail cut off as well. In both cases, the donkeys' tails were cut about four or five inches from the tips, clear through the bone, leaving bloody stumps. The Jazdzewskis found one of the tails in the pasture.

The Jazdzewskis are saddened that someone would harm their pets. They said that both donkeys are friendly and would have walked up to anyone who approached them. The tails were cut straight off as if someone took a tree-pruning shears to them. The Jazdzewskis don't believe the tails got stuck on anything and torn off - nor do they think another animal ripped them off. According to their veterinarian, this was definitely not an accident and both occurrences were mutilations. John and Sue have had donkeys for about 14 years.

The Waushara County Sheriff's Department still has no leads or motives.
 
In addition to a Waushara County Crime Stoppers award, the Animal Defense Council of Tucson, Arizona, is offering a reward of $500 for information that will help solve the case. The Wisconsin Donkey & Mule Society (WDMS) added $200 to the reward amounts so that the total reward offering is now around $1,000.

Anyone with information about this abuse is asked to please call Crime Stoppers at 800-800-5219. Callers can remain anonymous.

  [5-25-08]  Back to Top

 

New Officers Elected

 

New WDMS Officers and Board Members were elected at the annual meeting on January 19, 2008 to serve a 2-year term until 2010, with one board member elected to fill the 1-year unexpired term of a resigned member as follows:

  • President - Leslie Schmidt (Westfield)

  • Secretary - Sandy Burdsall (Black Earth)

  • Directors:

    • John Jones (Neshkoro)

    • Hal Burdsall (Black Earth)

    • Donna Gabbei (Poynette)

    • Mike Snell  (Waupaca)

    • Lynn Mach (Waupaca) - to 2009
Continuing Officers and Board Members with terms expiring in 2009 are:
  • Vice President - Ron Nyhouse (Marion)
  • Treasurer - Vickie Nyhouse (Marion)
  • Directors:
    • Steve Plantz (Hillsboro)
    • Dian Pinney (Endeavor)

Full list of WDMS Board Members, Chairmen & Committees

  [1-24-08]  Back to Top

 

Brad Cameron Mule Clinics
Coming in October

 

Well-known mule clinician Brad Cameron -- America's Leading Mule Clinician Since 1994 -- will be offering clinics in Colt Starting and Mulemanship in Wisconsin in October. The clinics will run Friday thru Monday, October 3 - 6 at Heartland Stables in Custer, WI (the site of our WDMS State Show). Some of our members have attended more than one Brad Cameron mule clinic and swear they are addicting! The event is not sponsored by WDMS but is being organized privately by Dian Pinney. Click for clinic details or e-mail Dian with questions.
 

  [2-28-08]  Back to Top

 

2008 Newsletter Dates
 
** INFO DEADLINE ** => Expected Newsletter Date
March 1, 2008 => March 15, 2008
May 1, 2008 => May 15, 2008
August 1, 2008 => August 15, 2008
November 1, 2008 => November 15, 2008

 Send info to Newsletter Editor via Email,
Postal Mail or Phone:
Lenore Mangles, Editor
6538 Hwy 17 N, Rhinelander, WI  54501
 Email:   WDMS
Phone:   715-272-1316

  [1-25-08]  Back to Top
 
 

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Trail Ride at Southern Kettle Moraine
 4th of July weekend near Palmyra, WI

 

by Leslie Schmidt

 

On July 3, Dian Pinney, my daughter Rachael and I headed to the Southern Kettle Moraine near Palmyra. We were invited to join some friends of mine from Tomah, Terri Keene & Tony Keichinger.  A friend of Terri's named Chris came on July 5th and rode with us for the day. Dian recognized Chris's horse and it turned out that they had mutual friends.

We had been trying for a few years to get to the Southern Kettle Moraine to ride, but it just never worked out until now. It was great weather for riding and we really enjoyed it. The trails were great - nice,  easy, relaxing terrain for the most part. There were only a few spots on the trail where the deer flies were bad. Most of the time we didn't have a problem with bugs.

There were several nice spots on the trail with picnic tables and mounting blocks for taking a break. It was a great time and we hope to go back one more time this year. The campground was nice but if you have a trailer the size of mine (27' or so), be careful where you get a site. I found it can be hard to make the turn at the end of two of the loops. Luckily, I had reserved a really good site for getting out of.

The park ranger comes by often and, if you ask, he has trail maps for the riders. Also, you can't bring wood into the park from more than 50 miles away, so there is a guy who comes through in a truck several times a day selling campfire wood. All in all we had a great time and plan to go back soon!

Dian Pinney & Maggie enjoying
the Southern Kettle Moraine trail

 

Rachael Schmidt & Molly
leading the pack on the trails
Chris (left) and Dian. They didn't know each other before the ride but Dian recognized Chris's horse, Tork (she bought it from a mutual friend).
Rachael (foreground) and Terri (background) read about the cabin built in 1846 by Norwegian immigrant Ole Oleson - one of the trail's more interesting rest areas.

 

Time for a break!
(L to R)  Leslie & Mohawk, Dian & Maggie
Mohawk and Molly are sooo tired after a day on the trail they are laying down to eat.

 

  [7-12-08]  Back to Top

 

Mini Donkeys Go To Camp
 Miniature donkeys help teach kids about the Bible

 

by Leslie Schmidt

 

On June 21st I headed off to Lake Lucerne, to a United Methodist Church camp in Wisconsin, as a first time counselor for the week of June 22 - 27. This camp was Animal Adventure Week for kids going into grades 4 - 7.  We were to teach the kids about Genesis and the story of creation.

Each cabin of kids was assigned an animal to care for for the week. I brought my pet potbellied pig named Wilbur and two mini donkeys (Stella and Daisy) that I borrowed from a friend and fellow WDMS member, Dian Pinney. It was a great week of learning for all of us.

The donkeys helped us to tell several stories throughout the Bible including Mary's trip to Bethlehem on the back of a donkey when she was going to give birth to Jesus. They also helped to teach about when Jesus asked for the "colt of a jack" to carry him into the town of Jerusalem the week before he was crucified. That story is the basis for the legend of the donkey cross -- the dark stripe that forms a cross down the back and across the shoulder of the donkey.

Mini donkeys Daisy (front) and Stella (back)
in their camp home
We also used Stella and Daisy to teach the lesson in Numbers 22:21. This was when Balaam saddled up his donkey to head out to the town of Kirjathhuzoth against God's wishes. If not for his donkey, Balaam would have been killed by an angel of God who was sent to stop him. In these verses you will find how the donkey was the only animal in the Bible who was ever given voice by God. If you don't know the story, it's worth reading. It really brings to light the personality of the donkey.

We had a great week at camp learning about God's creatures and how to care for them and our world. The other camp animals besides the mini donkeys and my pig included turtles, bunnies, frogs and a snake. We had a special visit compliments of Cathy Jones with her wallaby named Willow and a pygmy goat named Rodney. Cathy Duesterhoeft also made a special appearance with a beautiful baby llama.

Because Wilbur is a house pig and has to sleep in close proximity to me, my cabin adopted him for the week. 
(L to R)  April, my daughter Rachael, Mary, Lauren, and Lexie. Wilbur has a green & yellow Packers bow in his tail

Special Thanks to Dian Pinney for the use of Stella and Daisy! I would also like to extend a huge Thank You to John Jones who offered to bring a wonderful round pen for the mini donkeys to stay in for the week. Thanks to all involved with the camp and especially to Karen, the director, who gave me the chance to show kids how special donkeys are.

Two of the kids from the cabin that adopted Stella & Daisy for the week. Destiny (left) leading Stella and Fiona (right) leading Daisy Baby llama with campers
   
Rodney the pygmy goat waits to be let out of his kennel
so he can show off for the kids.		 Baby llama willingly travels in the back of an SUV!!  Who needs a trailer!! 
   

 
Legend of the Donkey's Cross

Bring me the colt of a donkey,
was the Master's request.

A young donkey was brought to Jesus
to carry Him into Jerusalem.
A week later Jesus was ordered
to be crucified.

The little donkey so loved the Lord
that he wanted to help Him carry the cross.

But, alas, he was pushed away.
The sad little donkey waited to say
goodbye until nearly all had left.

As he turned to leave, the shadow of
the cross fell upon the
back and shoulders of
the little donkey.

And there it has remained,
a tribute to the loyalty
and love of the humblest of
Gods creatures.

Read the Bible stories: 
Luke 19: 28-40 or Numbers 22: 21-33
Willow the wallaby arrives at camp
 
Evening campfire service
 
 

  [7-10-08]  Back to Top
 

 

 

Midwest Horse Fair - Madison, WI
April 18 - 20, 2008

 

Photos of 2008 Midwest Horse Fair

 

A big THANK YOU to WDMS members who made the huge effort and commitment to spend 4 days exhibiting their longeared buddies at this year's Midwest Horse fair on behalf of the club: 

 

Jeremy & Megan Nelson with jumping
mules Pete and Jack		 Katie Maurer with standard
donkey, Milton

 

Rachael Schmidt with mule, Molly Jordan Walker with mammoth donkey,
Mizz Izzie

 

Lenore Mangles with standard donkey,
Bad Ass Killer		 Hal & Sandy Burdsall with
Tennessee Walking Mules
Gabby Hayes and Tucker

 

Donna Gabbei (left) & Dian Pinney with mini donkeys, Stella and Daisy Jeff Isenring (left) & Robyn Tryggeseth with yearling mini donkeys Emily, Ella & Enya

 

Special thanks to:

  • Leslie Schmidt who masterminded and scripted our participation as club chairman of the event with her committee, Julie Nelson and Sandy Burdsall.

  • Julie Nelson who spent tons of hours and great ideas creating Dancing With The Horses theme decorations for our booth and stalls . . . and created the marvelous WDMS Coloring & Activity books we gave away.

  • Donna Gabbei who created the marketing binder to showcase WDMS members who breed longears or have donkeys and/or mules or related services for sale.

  • Sandy Burdsall who created and donated the WDMS info brochures and the mini crayons we gave away with the coloring books.

  • Parents Bob & Julie Nelson, Dale & Kim Maurer and Leslie & Paul Schmidt and grandparents Donna Gabbei & Tom McMillan for all their work helping their kids/grandkids participate.

  • Leslie Schmidt, Julie Nelson & Lenore Mangles for contributing photos for this site.

  • Club members who spent time in the club booth greeting visitors, answering questions and selling club promo items.

 

Mark your calendars to join us at next year's Midwest Horse Fair
at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, WI:  

April 17 - 19, 2009

  [5-12-08]  Back to Top

 

 
Member News 2008 (articles above) :
 
   
 

         Back to Top
   

Mark your calendar for our  2009 State Show = June 6 - 7, 2009

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Page updated August 25, 2008