Book and DVD Reviews

Wild Burro Tales: Thirty Years of Haulin’ Ass by Hal Walter  Review by Teresa Cutler-Broyles “Hang on. Don’t let go.” So Hal Walter tells us in Wild Burro Tales, his wonderful new collection that takes us on a wild ride through the exciting and overlooked sport of pack-burro racing, and his life with the creatures that give it all meaning.  At first glance the book appears to be, simply, about burros and the relatively obscure and unusual sport of running marathon distances partnered with an animal not known for its cooperative nature. Indeed, the stories – 19 in all, punctuated with brief asides that take on a life of their own in their ability to hit hard – are ostensibly about Walter’s experiences with pack-burro racing and the people and animals who make the sport what it is. For anyone interested in knowing the facts – where pack-burro racing originated, why it continues today, what sorts of skills and hardships are encompassed – Wild Burro Tales certainly delivers. And Walter touches on Wild West legend as well as hard 20th Century reality as he opens that world for us. If that’s all Wild Burro Tales was it would be a great read, but it is so much more. The tales that take us with Walter as he races through the years and over mountain passes with loved friends, both two- and four-legged, also take us through hardship and a certain mystical wonder. Walter’s book, in fact, is an intricate weaving together of real life adventures over 30 years of racing, and a search for a certain timelessness that we find ourselves yearning for as we catch glimpses of its truth throughout.  Walter and his wife and son live on a small ranch at nearly 9,000 feet in Southern Colorado, and their back yard is boundless, limitless sky and meadows filled with wildflowers, snow, herds of elk and endless possibilities for new adventure. The gift he gives us throughout Wild Burro Tales is the realization that we can all find those adventures no matter where we live. Walter finishes his book the way he starts it – talking about his burro Spike. At the beginning, Spike literally pulls him off his feet, just as this book does, starting the exciting ride that will end only when we decide to let go. Essentially what we learn is that life is full of wild rides, and the best way to get through it is to hitch yourself to something you love and let momentum and trust — and a hell of a lot of luck — carry you over the summit to the finish line. As Walter says: Hang on. Don’t let go! Wild Burro Tales — Thirty Years of Haulin’ Ass is available from the Mules and More book store, and also directly from the author. See the ad in this issue for ordering information or contact Hal at jackassontherun@gmail.com.

Mules, Mules and More Mules Written By Rose Miller Down, down the steep and rocky canyon wall they went. Nose to tail, long ears flopping, stepping oh so very carefully as they placed shod hooves into small spaces between the hard rocks. Their riders looked askance at the steep drop off, some even shutting their eyes to the beautiful vistas. The Grand Canyon mules were accustomed to many and varied riders, and seemed not to care that their passengers were slightly nervous; they had seen these rocky paths many times and would seem them many more. Rose Miller was among those riders going down Bright Angel Trail on their trustworthy mules to the Phantom Ranch below where she and her fellow travelers would spend the night and travel back on the Kaibab trail to the top the next day. By the time Rose returned home to northern Indiana, she had become totally enthralled with those captivating and unique equine hybrids and was determined to find the perfect, safe and dependable mule to ride in her “senior years.” She had owned, shown, bred and trained horses for nearly forty years, and now was ready for the easy life. What happens next constitutes the story of “Mules, Mules and More Mules,” as Rose searches for the ideal long-eared companion.   Because of her bad back, a smooth-gaited mule that would allow her to sit back and enjoy the ride was desired, but not all was smooth going. Continue along for the trip as she uses her engaging around-the-campfire-story-telling style to introduce her mules: Mirabella, Samson, Maybellene, Ruth Ann, Susie, and Lucinda. You will laugh out loud as she learns the hard way, mules and horses are different, and are not perfect. Each mule teaches Rose something different, but in the end she realizes that mules have become a new addiction. Anyone who loves to be entertained by and loves animals will surely enjoy “Mules, Mules and More Mules.” Mules and More Editor Cori Basham said the following about "Mules, Mules and More Mules:" I enjoyed this book. I especially like the little mention that Hoosier and I received. This is a cute story about one woman's quest for the perfect mule. The author learns to love and learn from the mules she encounters on this journey, and readers can benefit from her trials and tribulations along the way. It is a good read for anyone planning on going "mule shopping," and anyone who has ever been will be able to relate to Rose's tale. Rose is right when she says that mules are like potato chips: "You can't have just one." And readers will be closer to understanding why." This book can be purchase here.

Chances Worth Taking: A Claimer’s Story Written by Patricia McAdams Review by Cori Basham, Mules and More Editor "Chances Worth Taking" is an entertaining quick read. McAdams tells the story of an elderly prospector and his journey to find the family he searched for his entire life. Claude and his mule Clementine had been traveling the west in search for gold to finance a new life. The Artwalds were searching for a new life, too, and a place to start over with their two children. When their paths crossed, it set into motion a chain of events that would alter the way they view their lives forever. McAdam’s characters teach valuable lessons on what people are willing to trade to help the ones they care about. Long-ear lovers will appreciate and relate to the struggles the group goes through. Anyone who has made a tough decision about the fate of others will understand Claude's story. This book could be read by any reading-age child, as well as any adult. It can be purchased through Amazon and Barnes and Noble online.

“Donkeys — Miniature, Standard, Mammoth: A Veterinary Guide for Owners and Breeders” By Stephen R. Purdy, DVM Review By Hal Walter, Westcliff, Colo. “Donkeys — Miniature, Standard, Mammoth: A Veterinary Guide for Owners and Breeders” by Stephen R. Purdy, DVM, comprises a health-care overhaul package forequinis asinus. This 160-page book, illustrated with full-color graphics and photographs, is a handy reference for donkey owners and should be on the shelves of veterinarians who treat these animals. Some information, like drug doses and the use of radiography and ultrasounds, is clearly intended for veterinary use only. In my 30-year association with donkeys, I’ve noticed most vets apply horse medicine practices when treating these animals. However, while donkeys are equines, Purdy documents some genetic, anatomical and medical differences owners and veterinarians should consider. He also notes that donkeys may metabolize some drugs at different rates than horses. An entire chapter is devoted to the nutritional requirements of donkeys, which through evolution have developed a more efficient metabolism than horses. For this reason, idle donkeys generally tend to become overweight or obese when fed too much high-quality forages and feeds. A nice addition to future editions of this book would be a section about how to properly feed hardworking donkeys for performance. The author devotes considerable attention to herd health, parasites and diseases. One refreshing aspect is the recommendation that donkey owners use sound management practices, testing and selective deworming rather than wholesale treatment with anti-parasitics, which can lead to drug-resistant parasites. Purdy also details the digestive and musculoskeletal systems, and the differences in these between donkeys and horses. Nearly one-third of the book is devoted to reproduction, artificial insemination, pregnancy and foaling. While this information is very important for breeders and veterinarians, many donkey owners will find this material useful only as general interest or background information. One point of reproductive health that does affect a large number of donkey owners is castration. Intact male donkeys can be aggressive and unpredictable. Unless you intend to use your stud donkey in a breeding program, or have some other specific reason to keep him intact, it’s generally advisable to have him gelded. This book details the procedure. Dr. Purdy has given us something the donkey world has been lacking — a sound guide for owners and veterinarians in caring for these wonderful and in many cases, hardworking, animals. Available at amazon.com Hal Walter is a world champion pack-burro racer and author of “Wild Burro Tales — 30 Years of Haulin’ Ass” available directly from him at jackassontherun@gmail.com

The Year of the Packer - Bishop Mule Days 2010 with Susie Dobbs The 2010 Bishop Mule Day was produced by Video Mike Productions (www.video-mike.com). Video Mike and country singer and TV personality, Susie Dobbs, of Tennessee, will take you on a tour of Mule Days in order to answer questions about mules. Susie is shown interviewing well known mule and donkey personalities Tucker Slender, Von Twitchell, Meredith Hodges, Crystal Ward, Roger Downey, Tabitha Holland, and others known for their expertise on mules and/or donkeys. You will catch brief glimpses of mules and donkeys in action…..running barrels and poles, jumping, roping, costume, driving draft and saddle mules and donkeys, both single and in teams, boot scramble, the Dolly Pardon race and the famous Bishop parade. Russ Anderson is shown driving his 8-up hitch, as well as the magnificent Priefert Texas Thunder Percheron (horses). This professionally done DVD sells for $30.00 plus $3.00 shipping and runs 1 hour 18 minutes. It can be purchased at www.video-mike.com or by calling 707-226-9193.

Samule The Worthless White Mule “Samule The Worthless White Mule” chronicles the ups and downs in the early years of one mule’s life. After being abandoned as a young colt, Samule finds a loving home with Diana Schmid, the author. But when Diana sends Samule to be trained, she unknowingly exposed him to starvation and abuse. Though Samule does learn to be saddled, bridled and ridden at the trainers, the neglect he experienced set him back. Diana and Samule work together upon his return home to overcome these setbacks and prove to the world that Samule is, indeed, not  a “worthless white mule.” This 22-page book is in full color and includes photos of Samule throughout this journey. Though geared toward children 8-12 years old, it would certainly be a good read for anyone looking to raise a young mule and demonstrates the importance of selecting the proper trainer for your mule. This book is available through www.authorhouse.com.