Wilson County Fair Show Held 8.15.10

What a show! First of all we need to give the Wilson County Fair Board shout-out for the awesome new facility they built for us to show in! What a nice place! (We will remind them next year that we need a bigger ring) We had over 120 entries at this show and everyone had a blast!

Lets all send a GREAT BIG SHOUT-OUT to all the sponsors of our show! The Wilson County Fair does not provide payout, so we had to depend on our great sponsors for class winnings! Please make sure to thank:

 Appalachian Farmstead, (Dennis Vonderfecht) Jonesboro, TN – SHOW SPONSOR

• Little Miracles Farm,(Maria, Jeff & Katie Randall) Wartrace, TN – DISPLAY SPONSOR
• 2Patriots Property Inspection, Inc. (Bill/Diana Poole) Franklin, TN – DISPLAY SPONSOR
• Bonnies Barnyard Feed Store, Triune, TN – DISPLAY SPONSOR 

And our CLASS SPONSORS:

• Aslan Farms, (David & Susan Elliott) Mt. Juliet, TN
• Crooked Creek Ranch, Brian & Theresa Puckett Gallatin, TN
• Half Ass Acres, Joe & Dayle Haworth Chapel Hill, TN
• (Travis) Henderson Clipper Blade Sharpening, Lawrenceburg, TN
• Jennifer & Jim Cline, Columbia, TN
• Little O Farm (Crystal Oliver) Culleoka, TN
• MiniAcre Farm, Lydia Spears Hohenwald, TN
• Peace Pipe Ranch, Shelbyville, TN
• Poole's Paradise Hill Farm in memory of youth member, Ashley Howard
• The Condurelis Group, Keller Williams Realty - Franklin, TN
• THE NO BULL Team - Keller Williams Realty (Marianne &  Dwayne Smith) Gallatin, TN
• Wee Ones Farm, LJ &  Deb Mix Gallatin, TN

Keep an eye on your email, we will have a way for you to view and get print photo's from the show.

Before the show...Officers & Sandy Carroll presenting Zach Puckett
with his Carson Carroll Memorial Scholarship

Five Questions

Each month we will publish this column so that members who may have never met can get to know each other. This month’s answers are provided by Kandi Wilhoit of Murfreesboro, TN and Wendy Boone of Knoxville, TN.


1) What is your favorite thing to do with your donkey(s)? Kandi: My favorite thing to do with my donkeys is to play and train them Wendy: Rub the end of his nose and let him nibble and nudge at me

2) Tell us one thing about you we don’t know. Kandi: I love to go to the beach and just sit and read. Wendy: I'm trying to put a house on 2 acres of our family farm. My donkey will be even closer to me then! Maybe I will eventually be able to get my other two donkeys back!

3) Do you have other animals? If so, tell us about them: Kandi: We have a wonderful dog named Aurora and two outrageous cats named Ashes and Aslan. Wendy: Besides lots of cows, we have two Pomeranian dogs, one black, Banjo, and one white, Sebastian. I had a wonderful Shepard/whippet mix, Shady, that had been with me for over 12 years that I had to put to sleep last September. Two weeks later my Dad had a stroke and was in the hospital for over 2 months. We adopted Banjo (named in honor of my Dad who played in a bluegrass gospel group) soon after that so that Bastian would have company and that I could have as a companion. He has truly been a blessing to all of us, because he's so loving and playful.

4) You are granted a day of perfect weather whenever you like. What day do you place it on and why? Kandi: If I could have a perfect day of weather I would have it fall on a Sunday. That is my favorite day of the week. I enjoy going to church and then hanging out with my donkeys in the afternoon. Wendy: October 31. I love fall and I love Halloween! The smell of a crisp fall day is a perfect day!

5) Have you learned a new (household or farm) short-cut/trick/hint lately? If so, what? Kandi: A quick shortcut I learned is using condensed milk to make a lemon meringue pie. Wendy: I learned to "fetch" the mail for my Mom every afternoon, and I occasionally roll over for a good belly rub! …..but, seriously, I can't really think of anything.

REPORTERS CORNER: Bottle-feeding baby

Kahlua and Cream  by Theresa Puckett, Reporter


We were outside playing with our new donkey baby when I got the call. It was Dayle Haworth and in her very concerned voice she said, “Theresa, a baby needs our help.” Dayle went on the explain to me that she had just gotten a phone call from a man whose donkey had rejected it’s foal and as luck would have it, he lived very close to me. I called the man and he told me that it had been 36 hours and the mom had just again thrown the baby to the back of the stall. He said that the other lady (Dayle) had told him that he would have to bottle feed this baby. He went on to tell me that they were packed and ready to leave for Florida. I asked him if I could come over to see the baby and he said please. Dayle had told me that the baby was going to need someone to bottle feed it. If the man would let me, could I do it? Dayle had already done 3 this year and said she just didn’t think she could do another. As I was telling her that I would have no idea where to even start she said she would teach me. As I hung up the phone I looked over as my husband Brian and his head was shaking a very adamant NO!! He said that he would not be able to help me with this and that he felt it was a bad idea because I get too attached to things and if the baby didn’t make it I would be devastated. I then turned to the other man in my life, Zach, who had just graduated from high school the day before, and I said “Will you help me son?” and he smiled and said yes. So off we went to see the baby.

We arrived at the man’s house and as he had said the motor home was loaded and pointed out of the driveway. He greeted us as we got out of the car and said “I just don’t know what to do”. As I looked over the door of the stall, I saw the sweetest little girl huddled tight in the back corner. The man said he had been reading and that in some instances a mom could still accept a baby after up to 48 hours. He asked me if I thought that if he just left them together she might still take the baby. I said that after 36 hours she was not going to change her mind, and if he left them alone he would come back to a dead baby. The baby, to our surprise, looked in much better shape than we figured she would. The man had held the mom down a few times so the baby could get some milk but the mom had hurt his back and he didn’t think he could even do that any longer. I then told him that if he wanted I would take the baby and bottle feed it, but that if I did this the baby would be mine. He agreed without hesitation, he said he wanted to give her the best chance of surviving. So the 3 of us held the mom tight and gave the baby one last chance to nurse. I then scooped the little girl up in my arms and headed home.

Once home I called Dayle and told her to get over here and tell me what to do. I sent Zach to Tractor Supply to pick up the list of supplies that Dayle said I needed. I then sat with the baby in my arms waiting for my first bottle feeding lesson hoping that I hadn’t bitten off more than I could chew. Dayle arrived and I was schooled in the art of bottle making which didn’t seem too hard. Once the bottle was ready Dayle and I went to feed the baby but every time we tried to put the bottle in the baby’s month she would jerk her head away. It was going on 3 hours since she had nursed from her mom so we knew she was hungry. Dayle said that she had never had one that wouldn’t take the bottle and we were starting to get panicked. Then I noticed how she was sticking her head between our legs or under our arms every chance she got. We were sitting on the front steps, Dayle in front of me and when the baby stuck her nose under Dayles arm I quickly stuck the nipple in her mouth and she started nursing like there was no tomorrow. I can’t tell you how excited we were! She had jumped the first big hurdle.

Then I had to break the 2 hour feeding schedule to Zach, that was fun, but we worked that out without any trouble. To make things a little easier we built a pen in the garage so that in the middle of the night all we had to do was step out the back door. Brian had just done a major clean out of the garage so we could get 2 cars in it for a change and he said he knew that wouldn’t last long. We got the pen built and the bedding down, everything was nice and cozy for the baby. Then I put her in and oh my god she started squealing like a little pig when we walked away, spoiled after only one day! So with a little maneuvering a second pen went in right beside her and Beaujolais got to keep the baby company.

The next day we took the baby on a little trip. Zach and she got in the back of his Tracker and off we went to the equine vet. When we arrived instead of pulling around back to the trailer area we parked out front and she followed me in the front door and the girls in the office went nuts. They had never had a patient come through the front door before and she was such a little lady she started flipping her little tail to say “I need to go potty” so I took her out to the grass and she took care of business. Once she stopped showing out for everyone the vet pulled blood and checked to see if she had gotten enough colostrum from her mom and she got a big thumbs up on that. The part of the visit that Zach liked was the vet said with her colostrum levels that he felt that feeding every 3 hours through the night and 2 hours through the day would be good. She had managed to make it over our second big hurdle.

Kahlua and Cream sleeping between my legs after her first full belly







.



Dayle had also told me that the baby needed a donkey buddy, someone to teach her to be a donkey. After the forced addition of Beaujolais to the garage this became perfectly clear. Dayle had said a young donkey that wasn’t bonded to someone else in the herd already, but I didn’t have any one like that. The first thought was to see if I could borrow a young donkey from someone, through this idea I found a young donkey that I purchased to buddy with the baby. They bonded immediately which was good because with show season coming up Beaujolais needed to be free to show. We named the new donkey Amicus which is Latin for friend.

As we were preparing to go to Shelbyville we had to figure out what to do with the baby while we were gone. The couple that keeps the house and farm while we are gone were both working, so the only alternative was to take her with us. Once we figured out how to get everyone safely in the trailer without having to make two trips we were off. Brian came up with a good way to heat the bottle by using solar heated bottles of water to mix her milk with. I can tell you one, thing we had the most popular barn at the show. I believe she was out of the stall more than she was in. We had at least 2 little girls that came by 2 or 3 times a day. Other people would say the people at the office said to come by or someone else had sent them. My favorite one was a car full of teenage girls pulled up and they wanted to know where the baby was. She didn’t even need to go into the show ring to be the most talked about animal on the grounds and after that the most spoiled.

Once home again she has settled into her daily routine which consists of days in the back yard with Amicus and the other babies and their moms. Learning all the fun things like how dirty can I get if I get wet then go roll in the dust bowl and who can run the most circles around the backyard without getting dizzy. But when night rolls around she is at the gate ready to go in the garage for the night. At 3 months old, the feedings are getting less frequent but that doesn’t stop her from running from the farthest reaches of the back yard at the slightest noise that may mean it is bottle time. In about a month or so the baby will be faced with her third and final hurdle, weaning we will have to wait and see how that goes, but I have faith. This has been a richly rewarding task for me, Zach and yes Brian. I also need to thank Zach because he more than pulled his weight during those late night feedings. This is a task I hope none of you ever have to do, but if you do, know that there are people out there ready and willing to help you get started.

August 2010

A few thoughts….

Well, as we move in to August, I think most of us have now forgotten how cold and miserable this past winter was. I must admit it seems that our wonderful donkeys are much more tolerant of these recent weather extremes that we've had – than we are. Here’s wishing us all a cool air-conditioner, lots of ice and plenty of shade.

In last month’s newsblog, I mentioned the possibility of a show at the Middle Tennessee Fair in Lawrenceburg. The steering committee postponed the meeting they were going to have in July. So, at this time I have no update. I will keep you posted.

I recently sent out a couple of emails about the Wilson County Fair show to be held August 15th. We still have sponsorships available. They are: $25 for a class sponsor and $50 for a banner display sponsor. Additionally, we still need volunteers for the registration table and a Ringmaster to help the judge. If you have a friend or family member that would help – that is okay too!  Please contact me at tda.president@gmail.com or the co-showchairs: Sandy Carroll at ccarroll@cafes.net or Pauline Gray at lglfarms@yahoo.com

We will chat again soon!

~Diana Poole, President

In this months newsblog:
5Questions
Fun Day
Reporters Corner
Classified Ads
Officer Elections



.

5 Questions

Each month we will publish this column so that members who may have never met can get to know each other. This month’s answers are provided by Lynn Price of Shelbyville, TN and, Deirdre Tarr of Jefferson City, TN.


1) What is your favorite thing to do with your donkey(s)? LYNN: Just wander out to pet them and watch their silliness, scratch their itchy spots and feed them carrots. DEIRDRE: The babies are tops. I love to gentle them, handle their feet, give them hugs, sit with them in my lap and show them off to visitors as one of the best reasons to raise donkeys. I love to have animals gentle enough for my little Florida city nieces to be able to halter and lead around the farm. They love it, too! A friend recently gave me a little saddle type pad that I am going to put on my friendliest donkey and hopefully teach her to allow my little almost 3 year old granddaughter to ride while I lead the donkey. The fun just keeps on....

2) Tell us one thing about you we don’t know. LYNN: Owned a Bed and Breakfast for 6 years in Wartrace. DEIRDRE: I've had to opportunity to give a hug to two of the people I admire most - James Dobson and Beth Moore.

3) Do you have other animals? If so, tell us about them. LYNN: A mom and baby Scottish Highland cows (and mom is pregnant again :), 2 pregnant goats (due any time), 2 girl babies and 2 boys. They are hilarious to watch. 2 dogs, 4 cats and chickens are coming this spring. DEIRDRE: I have raised alpacas for about as long as I have raised miniature donkeys (15 years). They are very compatible. You just have to make sure there are plenty of feed pans when it is feeding time. (And keep the adult male donkeys separate!) Alpacas are very quiet animals who make a soft humming noise and have some of the softest, warmest fleece in the world. There are two types (huacaya and suri). I have huacayas. When they are unshorn they look like beautiful fluffy stuffed toys with huge eyes out in the pasture. When they are shorn they look like stick figures of E.T. (The Terrestrial). They are great alternative livestock!

4) You are granted a day of perfect weather whenever you like. What day do you place it on and why? LYNN: A Saturday any time so I can get caught up with gardening in my greenhouse. DEIRDRE: Probably Thanksgiving because we have 25-35 relatives come to visit us (sometimes for a whole week!) around that holiday and it is wonderful to be able for everyone to go outside and play Frisbee or corn toss or hike to Cherokee Lake which is quite near us.

5) Have you learned a new (household or farm) short-cut/trick/hint lately? If so, what? LYNN: Letting the hay do the work :) We spread the flakes around for the goats and it self seeds for pasture. DEIRDRE: In my garden this year I decided to plant a row of giant sunflowers next to the delicious greasy beans so that the beans could climb up their large stalks instead of having the normal twine and stakes in the garden. It should be both pretty and practical. If anyone out there in donkey-land knows of some good organic pesticides, I'd love to have you send me the info as I have some very irritating bugs on my tomatoes this year.

Fun Day - October

October 9th is the day for the next planned TDA get-together. It will be held at LOVINGOOD SPRINGS FARM in Louisville, TN (their web address is: http://tnhorse.com/ ) . This is just outside Knoxville. Though the date wasn’t our first choice, it was the 1st date that Lovingood had open. If members want to stall their donkey(s) over-night on Friday – please contact the farm directly to make a reservation. The fee for the stall is $25. There will be no charge to members for the venue – it will be paid for by club funds.

This is a lovely facility and if you have a driving or riding donkey, there is plenty of space for you to go enjoy the scenery. It is also everyone’s hope that if you are unable to bring your donkey with you that members will still come out and enjoy fellowship.

We hope to be able to hold a couple of quick clinics on this day. As we get more information together it will be updated on the calendar.

Volunteers needed also – if you can help with some things, please email Diana Poole at tda.president@gmail.com .

REPORTERS CORNER: July Shows

REPORTERS CORNER
by Theresa Puckett, Reporter

July started off with the 19th annual Celebration Mule and Donkey Show. If you haven’t been to this show, I urge you to come next year. Even if you are not a show person, witnessing the diversity of these long -ear equine is truly amazing.


My first Celebration was in 1999 and I can tell you I left in awe, and in search of a gaited riding mule. This show brings in people from all over the United States. While looking at the results, I saw people from New York, Oklahoma, Florida, Wyoming and Texas just to name a few. This show also hosts the ACOSA Nationals, the NASMA Nationals, the AGMA World Show, and is a NMDA sanctioned show. They are also on a rotation for the NMDA Nationals.


There were several TDA farms in attendance and I believe everyone left with ribbons. I’ll start with the TDA mammoths which did very well. J.B. Royal Alexandria, owned by Dennis Vonderfecht of Appalachian Farmstead took 2nd in mammoth jennets 3 yrs +. Then went on to take NASMA National Champion Jennet 3 yrs +. Another very impressive showing came from Joe Thomas, Thom-Ass-Acres’s High Noon won the ACOSA mammoth jack class and went on to win ACOSA Reserve Grand National Champion Jack, I know for sure that this makes at least 2 in a row for him. Joe’s jack Nonami took 3rd in the NASMA mammoth jacks 3 yrs +. Way to go guys!!!!


On the miniature front it is hard to know where to start. So I think I’ll start with our youth. Katie Randall and her donkey KKR High Roller took 3rd in youth costume, 4th in NMDA halter geldings 3yrs +, 1st in youth showmanship, 1st in youth lead race and 1st in youth in-hand trail. Katie also got 2nd in the youth lead race with Little Miracles Katie’s Prayer. Yea, Katie!!!


In the NMDA performance classes there were several TDA farms that stood out. Crooked Creek Ranch showed two performance donkeys. As many of you know this is Zach Puckett’s first year to show as an adult and with his donkey Beaujolais’s driving experience they had to step right into open, skipping the green level. I can tell you that he was a little nervous about this but without reason. He put many of us to shame including his mom (yea!!) and showed against at least 2 professional trainers. Performance driving is Zach’s first love but he decided not to drive in pleasure driving but did all the other driving classes. Zach and Beaujolais took 3rd in open pole bending, 5th in open obstacle driving, 5th in open reinsmanship (this was a wicked class), 4th in open snigging and in the open single stake race they took 2nd , less than half a second off the leader and beating the two professional trainers. I am so proud of you son! Crooked Creeks Bosco took 2nd in open lead race, 5th in open pole bending, 4th in open obstacle driving, 2nd in open in-hand jumping, 6th in open snigging, 4th in open single stake race and last but not least 1st in open coon jumping. Wee Ones Titan owners Deb and L.J. Mix took 5th in the green lead race. HHAA Valiant Diego owned by Lydia Spears and shown by Tiffany Pierce took 6th in open pleasure driving. CCC Triple C’s Love Bug owned by Laura George took 3rd in green pole bending, 3rd in green pleasure driving, 3rd in green obstacle driving, 3rd in green reinsmanship. CCC Triple C’s Hermes owned by Sandy Carroll took 5th in open snigging and 6th in open single stake race. Stock Market’s Cash Bonus owned by Susan Poole and shown by Sandi Costa took 6th in open pole bending, 5th in open pleasure driving, 1st in open obstacle driving, 4th in open reinsmanship, 5th in open in-hand trail, 5th in open in-hand jumping, 1st in open snigging and 5th in open coon jumping. That’s a pretty impressive list!


NMDA halter classes are always very competitive and this show was no exception. The show started off with foals to halter and again TDA members showed what we are made of. Wee Ones Farm dominated this class taking 1st with Wee Ones Ragin Cajun and 3rd with Wee Ones Apache Brave and followed that up with Wee Ones Titan taking 4th in the yearling jack class. East Tennessee member Dennis Vonderfecht showed quite an impressive group of donkeys starting with a 3rd in the yearling jack class with Farmstead’s William Blout. In the yearling jennet class he grabbed 3rd with Farmstead’s Chessie and 6th with Ma & Pa’s Antonia. Farmstead’s James Otis Watson took 1st in the yearling gelding class, Ma & Pa’s Red Dynamo took 2nd in the jacks 2 yrs+, Ma & Pa’s Willa Cather took 3rd in the jennet 2yrs+, Country Music’s Rusty Weir took 2nd in the jacks 3yrs+, Country Music’s Jean Shepherd took 6th in the jennets 3yrs+ and in the geldings 3yrs+ Wits End Tumbleweed took 2nd. Katrina Fleener showed her donkeys with great success placing 5th in the yearling jack class with KKR Stroke of Midnight and 1st in the jennet 2yrs + with Hills Co Mini’s Lexus. Lexus topped her 1st by taking NMDA Champion jennet, very nice Katrina! Alabama member Susan Poole had a good show taking 5th in the yearling jennet class with Magnolia’s Royal Star Gazer, Magnolia’s Royal Court Jester took 1st in the geldings 2 yrs+ and champion gelding, Stock Market’s Cash Bonus was 1st in the jacks 3yrs+ class and went on to win champion jack. Jester came back to win best of breed, congratulations Susan. Kay Allen and Lydia Spears showing Radar and Diego in best matched pair and took 2nd. Way to go members, this is an amazing list of wins!!!!


Last, but definitely not least, would be the color classes. ACOSA in case you are not sure stands for American Council of Spotted Asses and is a registry for spotted donkeys and mules. As I stated earlier, the Celebration hosts the ACOSA national every year, so let’s see how we did. Starting with the mini jennets under 2 yrs, you have 4th and 5th going to Dennis Vonderfecht and Ma & Pa’s Antonia and Ma & Pa’s Willa Cather. Sandy Carroll took 6th with CCC Triple C’s Hello Darlin’. Taking the 1st spot in mini jacks under 2 yrs and was KKR Merlin owned Theresa Puckett, the 2nd spot went to Wee Ones Titan owned by Deb and L.J. Mix, in 4th was KKR Stroke of Midnight owned by Katrina Fleener and 5th to Fisher’s Untouchable owned by Steve Hazlewood. Mini jacks over 3rd went to Crooked Creeks Bosco owned by Theresa Puckett. In the mini geldings class, Laura George and CCC Triple C’s Love Bug took 2nd . The Celebration also has a straight up color class, which is always a crowd pleaser. This is usually a large class of all size donkeys and colors ranging from solid, to donkeys with a vast array of spot patterns. KKR Merlin took 1st, owned by Theresa Puckett, 4th went to Ma & Pa’s Antonia owned by Dennis Vonderfecht, 5th went to Wee Ones Titan owned by Deb & L.J. Mix. All in all I think this was a great show and again congratulations to all the TDA members. I hope that I didn’t leave anyone out, but if I did, please let me know and we will correct it accordingly.


The Bedford County Fair show on July 24th had a good turnout for it to have been sooo hot. We started at 10am in an open arena and the temperatures hung around 100 degrees all day, which was hard on humans and donkeys alike. TDA was able to rent a misting fan which the members could use and we were asked to make a small donation to help offset the price to the club. I would like to suggest that next year, instead of rushing through the show as fast as possible, so we can get out of the heat, maybe we should take small breaks here and there, allowing the contestants and show staff to take a minute to sit down and cool off a little. This might be a better way to go. Kudos goes out to everyone who braved the heat and made this a successful show. Congratulations to the winners and a great big “way to go” to our youth exhibitors Shyanne Lopp and Katie Randall.

  

 

Results:

BEDFORD CO. FAIR DONKEY SHOW  7/24/10

ADULT DRIVING - DONKEYS
1ST CROOKED CREEK'S BEAUJOLAIS ZACH PUCKETT

2ND TRIPLE C'S HERMES SANDY CARROLL

3RD CROOKED CREEK'S BOSCO THERESA PUCKETT
4TH VALIANT DIEGO LYDIA SPEARS
5TH CIRCLE C RADAR TIFFANY PIERCE

YOUTH PLEASURE DRIVING - DONKEYS
1ST GOD'S LITTLE FARM'S DAN SHYANNE LOPP

ONE BARREL SPEED - MINI DONKEYS
1ST CROOKED CREEK'S BOSCO THERESA PUCKETT
 2ND ENGMAN'S ROCKY ROCCOCO BILL POOLE
3RD TRIPLE C'S HERMES SANDY CARROLL
4TH CROOKED CREEK'S BEAUJOLAIS ZACH PUCKETT
5TH GOD'S LITTLE FARM'S DAN TRAVIS HENDERSON

POLE BENDING - MINI DONKEYS
1ST CROOKED CREEK'S BEAUJOLAIS ZACH PUCKETT
2ND CROOKED CREEK'S BOSCO THERESA PUCKETT
3RD VALIANT DIEGO LYDIA SPEARS
4TH GOD'S LITTLE FARM'S DAN TRAVIS HENDERSON

SNIGGING - MINI DONKEYS
1ST CROOKED CREEK'S BOSCO THERESA PUCKETT
2ND TRIPLE C'S HERMES SANDY CARROLL
3RD CROOKED CREEK'S BEAUJOLAIS ZACH PUCKETT
4TH VALIANT DIEGO LYDIA SPEARS
5TH GOD'S LITTLE FARM'S DAN TRAVIS HENDERSON

HALTER WEANLING/YEARLING
1ST HILL'S HAVEN TORRI KAYLA HAZLEWOOD
2ND WEE ONES RAGIN CAJUN L. J. MIX
3RD MJB DIP N DOTS SALLY DUNN
4TH HELLO DARLIN SANDY CARROLL
5TH WEE ONES TITAN DEB MIX

YOUTH IN HAND JUMPING - MINI DONKEYS
1ST GOD'S LITTLE FARM'S DAN SHAYANNE LOPP
2ND KKR HIGH ROLLER KATIE RANDALL

ADULT IN HAND JUMPING - MINI DONKEYS1ST WEE ONES WHITE FEATHER DEB MIX
 2ND CIRCLE C RADAR TIFFANY PIERCE
3RD GOD'S LITTLE FARM'S DAN TRAVIS HENDERSON
4TH CROOKED CREEK'S BOSCO BRIAN PUCKETT
5TH WEE ONES MIDNIGHT DEB MIX

COON JUMPING - MINI DONKEYS
1ST CROOKED CREEK'S BOSCO BRIAN PUCKETT
 2ND WEE ONES WHITE FEATHER L. J. MIX
3RD GOD'S LITTLE ACRES FARM DAN TRAVIS HENDERSON
4TH CIRCLE C RADAR TIFFANY PIERCE
5TH TRIPLE C'S HERMES SANDY CARROLL

YOUTH IN HAND TRAIL - DONKEYS
1ST KKR HIGH ROLLER KATIE RANDALL
 2ND GOD'S LITTLE FARM'S DAN SHYANNE LOPP
3RD GOD'S LITTLE FARM'S STORMY SHYANNE LOPP

ADULT IN HAND TRAIL - DONKEYS 8 ENTRIES  1ST VALIANT DIEGO LYDIA SPEARS
 2ND GOD'S LITTLE FARM'S DAN TRAVIS HENDERSON
3RD WEE ONES WHITE FEATHER L. J. MIX
4TH GOD'S LITTLE FARM'S STORMY TRAVIS HENDERSON
5TH CIRCLE C RADAR TIFFANY PIERCE

BEST MATCHED PAIR 3 PAIR ENTERED
1ST VALIANT DIEGO & CIRCLE C RADAR KAY ALLEN & LYDIA SPEARS
2ND ROCKY & DAN MELISSA ATYEO & TRAVIS HENDERSON
3RD CROOKED CREEK'S BOSCO & BEAUJOLAIS THERESA & ZACH PUCKETT


HALTER 2 YRS & OVER MINI DONKEYS JENNETS - 3 ENTRIES
1ST HILL COUNTRY'S LEXUS KATRINA FLEENER
 2ND BIG RIVER VENUS 08 STEVE HAZLEWOOD
3RD TURNPIKE CREEK KATIE SKY O'BRIEN

HALTER 2 YRS & OVER MINI DONKEYS - Geldings
1ST GOOD TIPPER DIANA POOLE
 2ND WEE ONES MIDNIGHT DEB MIX
3RD KKR HIGH ROLLER KATIE RANDALL
4TH GOD'S LITTLE FARM'S STORMY SHYANNE LOPP
5TH GOD'S LITTLE FARM'S DAN TRAVIS HENDERSON


HALTER 2 YRS & OVER MINI DONKEYS JACKS
1ST MJB FIDALGO SALLY DUNN
 2ND FISHER'S UNTOUCHABLE STEVE HAZLEWOOD
3RD CROOKED CREEK'S BOSCO THERESA PUCKETT


TOTAL NUMBER OF ENTRIES: 75

Classified Ads

Just a reminder that one of the benefits of TDA membership is the free classified ads you are able to place on the TDA Website. Contact Dayle Haworth at minidonks@united.net to place your ad or to get more information.

2011 Officer Elections

Though TDA elections are not until November for the 2011 year, I just wanted to put a bug in your ear. If you are thinking about “throwing your hat in the ring” for the following Officers positions, please let Diana Poole know by October 6th:


PRESIDENT
VICE –PRESIDENT (2)
SECRETARY
TREASURER
REPORTER
SHOW COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
SHOW COMMITTEE MEMBER (2)

JULY 2010

A few thoughts….

Well now that it is HOT, it’s time for those of us that show our donkeys to start gearing up for the “circuit” here in Tennessee. To start it all off, the CELEBRATION MULE & DONKEY SHOW starts tomorrow (thru Saturday) and many of our members will be showing. Exhibitors love cheerleaders, so if you don’t show – come on out!

A few members attended the Saddle Up event at the Calico Mule Ranch in Hohenwald, TN a few weeks ago. I must say that attendance was very low (for the event) but the trail drive was great! Could it have been the temps that day? Hmmm, it was only 106 heat index! What’ya think?

Do you have an interesting article you think should be re-printed in our newsblog? Or would you like to write an article yourself about what you have been doing at your farm? Submit it to me, TDA.President@gmail.com or Theresa Puckett at ccrdonkeys@comcast.net

We will chat again soon!

~ Diana Poole, President

This issue of ALL EARS will cover the following:

East Tennessee Get-together Update
5 Questions
Reporters Corner, by Theresa Puckett
Another Show?
Bedford County Fair Show


.

East Tennessee Get-Together

A wonderful facility has been found to hold a get-together in the East Tennessee area this fall. Watch your email as I will be sending out a survey (in the next few days) to get your input on a date and “agenda”. All members are encouraged to participate! It will take place at Lovingood Springs Farm in Louisville, TN. which is a suburb just south of Knoxville. Special thanks to all the members that have been helping find a venue! Here is their link: http://tnhorse.com/

Five Questions

Each month we will publish this column so that members who may have never met can get to know each other. This month’s answers is provided by Lucy Hatcher of College Grove, TN


1) What is your favorite thing to do with your donkey(s)? LUCY: Valentine loves to be part of the Hatcher Diary Farm Tours. Each Thursday she looks forward to loading on the trailer (she loves her treats for the effort) and going to her "station" where she and her sister (Poppy-the miniature horse) are our official greeters. I have trained her to jump up on a platform and walk through a tunnel.

2) Tell us one thing about you we don't know. LUCY: I am a Level 4 Parelli Natural horsemanship student and am passionate about equine psychology. I love the concept of training through the natural drive and want to of the animal vs make and mechanics. Fear and intimidation never work in the long run. I want an equine partner.

3) Do you have other animals? If so, tell us about them. LUCY: I have 6 full size horses and a pony in addition to the mini donkey and horse. 3 cats and numerous dogs as my husband is a dog trainer. On Hatcher Dairy Farm of course we have LOTS of cows. In addition we have sheep, a few goats, and lots of barn cats.

4) You are granted a day of perfect weather whenever you like. What day do you place it on and why? LUCY: Sunday- That is the most flexible day for me to get to spend time with my equines and not feel guilty about all the other stuff that always needs done on a farm.

5) Have you learned a new (household or farm) short-cut/trick/hint lately? If so, what? LUCY: Do one more thing today to lighten tomorrows load. I don't like to be overwhelmed so being organized and managed as you go pays off in the long run.

REPORTERS CORNER: The “First”

THE FIRST
by Theresa Puckett, TDA Reporter


Why is that word so scary? Remember your first step, well you probably don’t, but for most it was scary. Wondering if you would fall on your face again, but you did it and it was great. There were many more first steps in your life that you weren’t sure of, the first bike ride, the first kiss and even the first love. As you look back you wouldn’t have missed any of those firsts for the world because each of them was well worth the risk. So why is it so hard to take that first step into the show ring?

I can tell you my first step into that show ring was very scary, it was the nationals at Shelbyville. I'd had Patches for awhile but bought a jennet just the week before, so I only had one show halter. I came out of the show ring and was trying to change the halter over to the other donkey to get back in the show ring. My hands were shaking so bad I couldn’t hook the buckle. A gentleman that had obviously been showing for awhile leaned over to me and said “take your time, it’s ok”. I took a deep breath and hooked the buckle. Each donkey went on to win a ribbon that day and I was hooked. I wish I could tell you from that moment on that it was easy but to this day when I am doing a tack change between classes my hands still shake because I know that people are waiting on me. Oh, and in driving, it was my third year at Shelbyville before I finished a driving class. At that time the driving was done in the indoor arena so the first year it was so deep that my donkey couldn’t pull in it, the next year he came up lame and I ask to be excused. So you could say I fell flat on my face more than once and there are times I still stumble.

Through the years I have watched many others take that first step. I remember someone, can’t remember who, but they brought their donkeys to show at Shelbyville and never took them into the show ring. They said the donkeys were too stressed, I often wondered if it was the donkeys or the owners that were too stressed. I know that now many of you think of me as that person that has been showing awhile so whenever I can I will lean over and say “take your time, it’s ok”. One thing you need to remember, you are showing donkeys and I can tell you that even a veteran can’t contend with the donkey that can we say, got up on the wrong side of the bed that morning.

So you first timers out there, you are at a great advantage to those of us that took our first step when the only show in Tennessee was Shelbyville and back then it was always the nationals. Through the Tennessee Donkey ASSociation there are many more shows for you to choose where you want to take that first step and so many people that are eager to lean over and say “take your time it’s ok”. I look back and say I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. I eagerly wait for each of you to take that first step, remember how those other first steps worked out, so jump in the water is fine.

Just a note: We could have another show!

TDA is in discussion with the Middle Tennessee Fair board (Lawrenceburg, TN) about hosting a donkey show during their fair. No decision has been made as of today’s publishing. But their steering committee is VERY interested and will have an answer for us in the next week or so.

BIG NOTE: This fair is at the first of October! The possibility of a show in cooler weather! Woohoo!


Special thanks goes out to Travis Henderson for putting the “bug in their ear” to start off the discussion. 

BEDFORD COUNTY FAIR DONKEY SHOW

July 24th is TDA’s Fun Show. If you have been considering the idea to show you donkey(s) and have been a little nervous about it – this show is the one to give it a try in! No fancy show attire or halters are required and everyone has a great time. We also love to have cheerleaders! To get more information about it, just click on the link on the TDA’s calendar at the top of the newsblog.

Note to the Volunteers: I will be sending out updated information about the show to you the week before. Thank you again for stepping up and helping with this show preparation.

JUNE 2010

A few thoughts….

Hope this month’s newsletter-blog finds each one of “us” doing well. The floods of last month continue to keep most Tennesseans busy, from fixing and repairing, driving “the other way”, because roads & bridges are still out, to dealing with illnesses festered from the massive amounts of water and debris. Please contact me if you need help and I will get the word out to our members.

Did you notice? The newsletter/blog has a name! Dayle Haworth’s entry of ALL EARS was the winning entry! Thanks to everyone for their input!

We have had new members join us this last month. Please welcome Jimmy and Jackie Gee of College Grove, TN (jackie@jgee.net ; jimmy@jgee.net) and Jennifer and Jim Cline of Columbia, TN (jenmcline@gmail.com) The Clines and Jimmy Gee were at Donkey Day Expo soaking it all in. Welcome to the club!

We will chat again soon!

~Diana Poole, President

This month’s newsletter contains:

Saddle Up for St. Jude – June 19th

Haytainers – the No-Brainer Storage Solution

Donkey Day Expo 2010

5 Questions

SADDLE UP for ST. JUDE is June 19th

A couple of emails have been sent out in regard to this event, but wanted to make note of it here too! Calico Mule Ranch has made a special effort to make the Tennessee Donkey ASSociation feel welcome to this event! This is a link to their website so you can peruse all the activities. Should be a fun weekend! We have members that will be camping for the weekend and many that aren’t able to bring donkeys (or horses) but want to just enjoy the event. The folks at Calico said if we are just coming for the day that 11am on Saturday would be a good start time. Watch your email, will be updating again soon!

HAYtainers—The No-Brainer Storage Solution

HAYtainers—The No-Brainer Storage Solution
by Marianne Smith (Relax Your Ass Ranch, Gallatin, TN)

After purchasing a new farm that didn’t have a barn, we were in need of an immediate hay storage solution. The first winter we used a single open bay in a three-bay shed located at the far edge of our property. We hung tarps over the entrance to block rain and wind. Still, the hay in front occasionally got wet, and we battled varmints that found the hay to be a great nesting ground. Since we had limited storage in this single bay, we had to purchase hay when we could find it, driving the price up later in the season and the quality of the hay down. That also meant multiple hay hauling and stacking days, which did not fit in with our new “make it simpler” chore tackling philosophy.

The second winter arrived and we were still recovering from our move and not in a position to build our new dream barn. A friend suggested using a cargo container for hay storage. This proved to be the perfect solution to our dilemma. Since purchasing a cargo container is still a significant investment (ours ran $2,000. plus $200. delivery charge for a 9’6” high and 40 foot long version available in our area), we did our homework on the pros and cons. Here’s what we found:

Pros:
• Nearly Airtight and Waterproof
• Wind resistant
• Varmint proof
• Inexpensive compared with other options
• Volume storage possible
• Low maintenance
• Storing hay away from horse barn will lower fire insurance rates
• Horses can’t accidentally get into hay
• Horses are healthier away from hay dust and possible fire hazard
• Easy to load and unload (no need to walk on pallets)
• Readily available in most areas
• Eliminates hay dust in barn or riding areas
• Fun to paint and personalize
• Can stand alone or be tied in to existing outbuildings
• Multiple other uses on the farm if needs change
• Can go with you to your next farm or be sold to a dealer who will pick up

Cons:
• Not easy to move once placed
• Somewhat difficult to open the door
• Ours had commercial graphics with peeling paint
• May not be permitted in some restricted zoning areas
• No built-in lighting in most containers
• Requires a level site

Shopping Tips:
• All containers have VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) information that will tell you the age of the container. Most used containers will be 10 to 14 years old. Prices go down as age goes up, but ask questions about the condition of the container. Most commercial companies will guarantee that they will not leak, but they may have some dents/patched areas.
• Be sure to get a “high cube” container. That puts the height at 9’6” –this gives you more headroom and stacking room. Standard height is 8’6”.
• Our high cube 40 foot container holds 400 plus square bales of hay and weighs 7500 pounds empty. Containers are available in 10-53 feet lengths, though the ten footers are rare.
• Ask what the container you are considering was used for. A few have climate control features and might make good tack rooms or farm offices, but you will pay for the additional features. Some are even adapting the cargo containers as cheap alternative living space for farm hands or deer hunting lodges by adding doors, windows, wiring, etc.
• Shop around. Ebay almost always has cargo containers listed, as do other online auction services. You can also Google and get free quotes online from several commercial cargo container sellers. Be sure to ask about shipping charges, as they are usually factored in separately.

Delivery Preparation Tips:
• Find a level site on your property that is accessible to an 18 wheeler delivery truck. Remove anything that is in the way and be ready before the delivery person arrives. They usually don’t want to wait and you only get one chance to place the container where you want it. Consider your neighbors and any required setbacks when you determine placement.
• After you have determined that the container was as promised and does not leak, you might want to find a local art student to prime it, paint it, and add your farm logo or a mural of your favorite horses. Often this can be arranged as part cash, part school credit. Priming is an important no-skip step, though, as many containers have been exposed to salt water due to ocean shipping. Don’t let this deter you, as they are usually also galvanized with zinc prior to being put into service to protect them from corrosion (Maersk.com).
• We created additional storage for our tractor by running our container parallel to our shed and adding metal roofing between the two structures.

More on Cost
According to buyerzone.com, you can save 30 to 50 percent by buying used cargo containers. Prices fluctuate according to supply and demand, but at this writing several used 40 foot high cube containers were available in the $2500 to $2700 range (plus delivery costs). New cubes begin at about $4000 and can be ordered in several paint colors. You can also rent or lease containers from some suppliers, and any needed maintenance is included.

Our Favorite Hay Container Advantage:
There are small vents near the tops of the containers in front and back, which allows for adequate air circulation for hay storage. We have stored hay on pallets in the containers, and directly on the floor, and have found no difference in the condition of the hay. Not having to use pallets is a big plus when you are pulling hay from the very end of the container—nothing to trip over or try to walk on. Most floors are plywood, though some are steel.

Alternative Uses for Containers
• Tack Room (may need to add climate control features or purchase with those)
• Farm Office (adding windows, doors, and electric)
• Inexpensive housing (modifications needed and can combine two or more containers---check your local zoning restrictions)
• Fall-out Shelter/Tornado Shelter (bury underground)
• Grain Storage
Wacky Fact:
Containers have recently been discovered by the home designing industry and have been incorporated as rooms and hallways in modern home plans. One fellow even cut the top off a cargo container, buried it in the ground, and used it for a swimming pool!

Sources for pricing quotes:
Fleetco Leasing
Nashville, TN
615-259-0088
cbroadrick@fleetco.net
www.fleetco.net/trailersales.php

All State Container
Valley Stream, NY
New and Used Containers/Sales, Rentals, and Leasing
1-877-247-8800
info@allstatecontainer.com
http://www.allstatecontainer.com/

Crosswinds, Inc.
Joseph, UT
Free Quotes/Nationwide Delivery
1-435-527-4662
crosswinds@cisna.com
http://www.crosswindsstorage.com/

Donkey Day Expo 2010

Donkey Day Expo was held Saturday May 15th at Maury Expo Park in Columbia, TN. The day started out wonderfully with lots of members coming to participate in the clinics held throughout the day. The day was cut a little short by the torrential downpours and winds that occurred – though for the most part, members stayed dry and enjoyed the sharing of information – and laughter!

Special thanks to Katrina Fleener, Lydia Spears, Bill Poole, Dayle Haworth, Sandy Carroll, Theresa Puckett and Joe Haworth for the extra time and effort put in to planning and instructing! Couldn’t have done it without you!

(CLICK PHOTO BELOW TO SEE ALL PHOTO'S FROM DDE)

5 Questions

 Each month we will publish this column so that members who may have never met can get to know each other. This month’s answers are provided by Jan Novak of Petersburg, TN and Lynn Pallotta or Quebeck, TN.

1) What is your favorite thing to do with your donkey(s)?
Jan: Just be outside with them and pet and play with them. No matter what is going on they make me laugh and put a smile on my face. Lynn: My favorite thing with my donkeys is to spend time with them, and just enjoy being with them, and being able to keep them (or them being able to keep me!) I would love to be able to show them.

2) Tell us one thing about you we don't know.
Jan: was in management with Target for over 10 years. I left the company when we moved here from Howell Michigan when Bruce retired from Ford Motor Company. Lynn: I am a very shy and lonely person. (And I have shoveled a billion tons (or more) of manure in my lifetime!)

3) Do you have other animals? If so, tell us about them.
Jan: We have two full size Arabian horses we brought from Michigan, 4 rescue dogs, three are border collies and one Tennessee Mountain Cur, 5 rescue cats, 8 miniature horses, two goats, guinea hens, chickens, and a rescue Pot Belly pig along with all our miniature donkeys. Lynn: I have a 16hh Quarter horse gelding, which is a dream horse. BUT, due to my physical problems and age, by the time I get him up, brush him, saddle and load him to go somewhere, I am too "pooped "(pardon the expression)to ride!!He just hangs out with the donks and eats alot! He is so good that I can go two years without riding, and just saddle him up, and even go in a parade. But of course, he is younger than I am! I have a mini mare, who is a brat-but a great babysitter for the other animals. I have two Tennessee Fainting goat does, who are about 15 years of age. For many years, I raised TFG's and Boer Goats, horses and donkeys, and cows, and pot bellied pigs, etc., etc. Now I just have the two old Nannies (three, counting myself!)I have two Great Pyrenees dogs, to guard my donkeys, and two Belgian Malanois to guard me! And about 28 Donkeys!

4) You are granted a day of perfect weather whenever you like. What day do you place it on and why?
Jan: After my accident and being laid up for so long any day I can be out with them is a great day. I am back to feeding and getting in with them. Lynn: I place it on today. Four years ago, my husband passed away quite suddenly, and I learned that we have to live for today, as we may not have a tomorrow. And we must thank GOD for every day we have with our loved ones, and our animals.

5) Have you learned a new (household or farm) short-cut/trick/hint lately? If so, what?
Jan: Not one I can think of at the moment. Lynn: If you want to sneak outside, without your donkeys knowing it, you can't! If you want them to go through the gate, they will stop -halfway through. If you don't think donkeys are smart-YOU are dumb! If you put several drops of Mineral oil in your water trough-the mosquitoes can't hatch. If you have Carpenter Bees-you will be miserable- and they will drive everyone crazy. If anyone has a way to get rid of them-I would like to know it! Dogs like the taste of Gorilla Glue and it will expand in their stomachs and kill them-immediate surgery must be done! Don't leave it within reach! WD40 will remove anything sticky. If you have a bad cough, put Vicks generously on the bottom of your feet, put socks on, and it will help soothe your cough