Interviews & stories
This page is dedicated to past interviews and stories about horses, mules, donkeys as well as all equestrian activities. If you have a story to tell me or would simply like to be interviewed, please e-mail me today at cahillkate@horsesinmexico.com
Remember Zachary?
From Marathon near
the US-Mexican border town? 
Please check out the article about him and what he thinks of the wall that is
being built by the US. Zachary was one
of me first supporters when I
took in Donkey-doo, he suggested I ride
my donkey across the border into
the US. I originally thought it was a good
idea but in January, I found out
that my donkey is getting blind.
I hope to find a way to get him back
to the US but until then...
Questions raised after burros
killed at Big Bend Ranch State Park
This article is about the illegal burro shooting that appeared in the newspaper. It is necessary to do something about this sickening situation! Please e-mail the reporter sterry@bigbendsentinel.com and encourage her to keep digging at the story!!!!
By STERRY BUTCHER
The Big Bend Sentinel
The Presidio International
December 6, 2007
PRESIDIO COUNTY – A strategy to improve the habitat of native animal species has led to the killing of wild burros at Big Bend Ranch State Park and sparked two investigations on how the matter was handled.
At least 18 feral burros, and maybe more, were destroyed inside the park in recent months.
“Over the last seven months, state Parks and Wildlife personnel have periodically killed feral burros while conducting other business at the park,” Parks and Wildlife Communications Director Lydia Saldaña acknowledged on Wednesday, December 5. “Management actions have been utilized to control these populations. The methods include humanely killing the animal with a firearm by a properly trained employee.”
Saldaña’s admission comes on the heels this week of allegations made public by Luis Armendariz, the former park manager for Big Bend Ranch who retired November 30. As manager, he officed in Presidio and oversaw the overall operation of the Sauceda unit of Big Bend Ranch, the Barton Warnock Environmental Education Center in Terlingua, the Fort Leaton State Historic Site, and Chinati Mountain State Natural Area. He first heard of the burro deaths in July and instructed a Parks and Wildlife peace officer to investigate.
“You do the investigation and take it where it needs to go,” Armendariz said he told the peace officer. “I thought it could be anybody. I thought it might be hunters coming in through Fresno Canyon, which is why I told law enforcement to investigate. Once law enforcement takes care of it, it’s off my hands.”
The burros at Big Bend Ranch State Park are wild in the sense that they are wary of people, they move, graze and breed at will, and they are not handled, nor doctored. Like the aoudad sheep or feral hog, they are also not a native species, and the burros compete with native desert bighorn, antelope and deer for the available water and forage. The settlement of the Big Bend and northern Chihuahua was made possible, to a significant extent, by the sweat of the burro and its ability to work and live in sometimes meager conditions. The population in Big Bend Ranch is descended from domesticated animals that escaped or were let loose over the years. They’ve thrived on their own, though the number of burros living in the park is not clear.
“They tend to stay near water,” said Armendariz. “Some may be coming from Mexico; they come and go.”
The in-house investigation continued over several months and, according to those involved in that process, what it revealed was disturbing. Armendariz is retired and feels free to speak about the burro issue; another source aware of the case will remain anonymous.
Eighteen burros, some found as recently as October and November, were discovered shot, according to this source.
“There are a whole lot more out there,” the source said. “It was inhumane.”
In one instance, said the source, “a female was shot and the baby was still trying to nurse on her – and she was dead.”
Early in the course of the in-house investigation, the identities of the alleged shooters became known. Both are Parks and Wildlife officials with ranks higher than Armendariz. The former parks manager said he’d not been notified that the burro eradication was going to occur.
In November, investigators from the Parks and Wildlife’s internal affairs office took over the case.
“There were allegations made and an internal affairs investigation,” Saldaña confirmed. “The report will be out in the next couple days; I can’t release it until it is final.”
Feral equines on federal lands are protected by the Wild and Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971. It mandates that these animals shall be prohibited from capture, branding, harassment or death. Their populations on federal lands are kept in check by a round-up and adoption system. Old, sick or lame animals are to be “destroyed in the most humane manner possible,” the law states.
No such adoption system seems to be in place for feral animals on state lands.
Saldaña emphasized that the management of burros, aoudad and feral hogs at the ecologically fragile Big Bend Ranch is necessary for native species to flourish.
“Our overriding concern is the negative impact on native plants and animals and water supplies, especially in West Texas,” she said. “The removal of these depredating animals is a high priority.”
Hunting is big business in Texas and is especially important to the perennially under-funded park system. Nearly 80,000 tickets were bought for chances at the agency’s Big Time Texas Hunt, the grand prize of which includes a desert bighorn hunt. The raffle sales brought in $798,150 in gross revenue to support wildlife research, habitat management and public hunting, according to Parks and Wildlife. Very few desert bighorn hunts are permitted each year; raffles or auctions for a desert bighorn permit alone bring tens of thousands of dollars.
A restoration of desert bighorn to the park is in Big Bend Ranch’s future.
“It’s a long-term goal,” said Saldaña. “And part of the restoration plan is the removal and continued population control of feral and exotic animals that include burros, aoudad and feral hogs.”
Armendariz is now gone from the office and moved from the state-owned house his family occupied. A Presidio native and lifetime resident, Armendariz spent 35 years and six months with Parks and Wildlife. His exit from the job and the burro investigations are not coincidental, he claims. The former park manager alleges that the state director of parks, Walt Dabney, in a conference call that included Parks and Wildlife legal counsel and a human resource director, informed Armendariz that he’d been re-assigned as the assistant to the regional director in Fort Davis. The reassignment came in November, after the internal affairs investigation had begun.
“He let me know on a Thursday and wanted me to report on Monday,” said Armendariz. “It was to keep me away from the area.”
Rather than start the job 90 miles away in Fort Davis, Armendariz put in for three weeks of vacation and retired. The killing of the burros, and the way he believes it was handled, nags at him.
“The shooting bothers me,” he said. “The burro carried the mother of the king of kings on their back. We should respect them for that.”
EL MERCADO DE SAN BERNABE - A sadistical way to end an animal's life!!!
Please check out http://www.youtube.com/v/B61B8uxZNdw , an 'interesting' video that was produced about El Mercado de San Bernabe.
The Mercado de San Bernabe is a market located in Almoloya de Juárez, State of México, where horses, mules and donkeys are purchased and sold under horrific conditions.
Please sign the following petition today and send it to anyone you may know. This is disgusting and should not be happening in 2007!!! A copy of the petition is below but you need to log onto the petition site to sign it and forward to your friends and family. (Horses in Mexico is not responsible for any words or images that may offend our viewers).
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/423921708
SAN BERNABÉ MARKET: EXTREME CRUELTY AGAINST ANIMALS AND LOW SANITARY CONDITIONS IN MEXICO.
The market called San Bernabé is located in Almoloya de Juárez, State of México; at this place the main merchandise are mules, donkeys and horses, which are in extreme terrible state and with a total lack of health regulations, thus violating consistently and permanently both: the laws against animal cruelty and sanitary conditions.
Authorities, while having total law enforcement faculties, and all the proof required to permanently close the place (via images in different media), have done nothing about it.
The animals for sale, in its majority, are visible sick; they are transported under deplorable and sadistical ways, without any care even for those showing exposed fractures, bleeding or with visible wounds. When they cannot hold on foot, they are hung with ropes to pretend they are still strong enough. They totally lack medical attention, as well as water and food. In case they die before getting to the place where they are normally sacrificed, their entrails are thrown away right on the floor. They are called throw-away (or disposable) animals; they are kept with life up to the last possible moment, while in a slow and lasting agony, because every pound of living meat costs twice as much as the pound of dead meat.
For all the above exposed, we claim the relevant authorities, the IMMEDIATE AND TOTAL close down of this highly cruel and outrageous San Bernabé Market.
Sincerely,
The Informing Committee of the APASDEM, Against the existing Impunity at the San Bernabé Market.
Therapeutic riding: why it is good...
Interview with Diego (13) and his mother Celina, September 2007
Hello Diego, can you tell me a little bit about yourself and why you like horses so much:
Because they are kind and they love me so much!
I hear your parents have a ranch with horses and poneys; which one is your favorite and why?
I like the "Colorado" and "El Guerito", he's a poney.
Have you ever fallen off a horse?
I don't remember! Oh yes, twice.
What happened?
Nothing, well I hurt my head.
After this incident, were you scared to go back on the horse?
No, the horses are my friends!
Thank you Diego! What would you like to do when you grow up?
Veterinary!
Hello Celina! Thank you for letting me interview your son. Can you tell me a little bit about him?
Sure! Diego has Keeplell File Syndrome, and he has no chance of beeing a "normal" kid, because his IQ is about 7. My husband and I have always taken Diego to different kind of therapy sessions and that is why we decided to look into therapeutic riding therapy for him. We bought some land and bought horses for him to ride.
How long has Diego been riding and how did he learn how to ride so well?
He has been riding since the age of 7, right after he had an operation on his legs. Diego feels very confident and happy to do something well, he loves most animals especially horses.
Do you find that his level of attention is better on or off the horse, and why?
Of course, when Diego rides his attention is better than the other activities he does. He can ride a horse during five hours a day without a break. He won't eat or do anything else, because he is happy riding and he knows what he is doing.
What kind of feelings do you think Diego has when he is around horses?
He likes to take care of them and he speaks with them all the time. He always wants to give presents (carrots) to his horses.
Obviously Diego has no fear of horses! Does this worry you and why?
There are many fears around Diego, but if I don't let him go on, he is never going to be independent in his life. I have to let Diego be free and when he is on a horse, he is happy and I feell very proud of him.
What future do you see in Diego?
It's uncertainty. I don't know what he is going to do but I know he's going to do what he likes the most and all the times that he is enjoying with his horses is wonderful for him.
Why do you think therapeutic riding has helped Diego?
It is one of the most important therapy for him. The horses have given him a lot, he is the best "special" rider that I have ever seen. He looks and feels confident!
Do you think this therapy method is the future for children or adults with disabilities?
Yes! I have no doubt about it! You can see many changes in the kids, the horses play an important part in these children's lives. they can do other things if you give them some time with horses. It is a great reward and motivation for them!
It has been a great pleasure interviewing you and your son, is there anything you would like to add?
When you have a "special" child, you have a great amount of responsibility towards him and one of the things that you can do for him is to help with your son's developement. You can help with his desires and the most important therapy for him is that he feels happy...
Diego, Celina & Willy
Guadalajara
Mexico
Piales en lienzo- a Mexican tradition
'Piales en lienzo' is an old Mexican tradition, that is said to symbolize the value and skills of men and women’s horsemanship. It emerged in the XVII century as a farm life activity and grew to be a national sport in Mexico. 'Piales en lienzo' means 'to rope the back legs of an animal'. Young wild mares gallop full speed in an arena while a charro will cast his lasso to rope only the hind legs of the mare to fully stop her. Each Piales en lienzo has a veterinarian on site in case an animal gets hurt. However, it is said that very rarely do animals get hurt. If the animal gets hurt, it is an immediate disqualification. Bear in mind that many charros can loose fingers just by the force of the horses...Ouch!
Clearly not happy to be there! Ah! Ah!
Zachary and his herd of donkeys...
In August 2007, "Horses in Mexico" directed an interview with Zachary, who owns a little herd of donkeys in Texas, USA. Zachary's life is a bedtime story all children should be read about!
Hello Zachary, thank you for taking the time to talk to me! Can you tell me a little bit about yourself?
I am a carpenter living in Marathon Texas USA, across the border from Boquillas Del Carmen, Coah., in the Chihuahuan Desert.
How long have you been taking care of donkeys? What would you say makes you good at it?
I got my first burro, Chiple, when I moved to Texas, and more soon followed. The best was to learn about these wonderful animalitos is to keep your ears open and mouth closed. The older and more experienced people in this area have been real helpful. I also use then internet and there are helpful people all over the world who like to share their advice and experience.
I am proud of the strength and condition of my donkeys. I pay attention to what they tell me and keep them fed and watered right and their hooves in good trim. I use them every day and notice their condition. They are tough animals well adapted to the desert and they rarely need any special treatment or care.
What advice can you give to someone who wants to buy or adopt a donkey?
Donkeys are not expensive and you can be patient while you shop for a good one.
First look at the size- if you will be doing hard heavy work with your burro, pick for size and strength.
If it will guard your goat or sheep flock, pick a strong two year old that knows goats.
I always look at their ears and eyes. If their eye is dull and uninterested, or the ears aren't alert, then pass on to another animal.
If their coats are dull or patchy, you can fix it by good care and fly medicine. Be sure the hooves are strong and well trimmed.
In many places, ranch kids or vaqueros will help you catch a good one and help train it.
But don't get one that's too young if you intend to ride it- they are not mature enough to take the seight of an adult until they are four. But they can be trained to the halter or bosal as soon as they are weaned.
Burros respond to good treatment by us humans- they don't need to be "broke" like ranch horses. They don't need to be hit or forced. I never even raise my voice to them- look at how big their ears are!
Is it true that donkeys are more intelligent than horses but they show a different behavior pattern that is often mistaken as stubbornness?
Yes it is. Mulas y burros have a muc greater sense of self preservation than horses. If a donkey comes to a dangerous spot, or meets a new person, he will stand quietly for as long as it takes to decide if it is safe for him.
Some people think they're stubborn, but actually they are being smart.
Is it true that donkeys are becoming an extinct species? And what would you like to see happen to protect the donkeys?
Donkeys are in no danger of becoming extinct. In poor countries they are very valuable as work animals, and in Europe and the USA they are used for riding and driving wagons.
Donkeys are better and bigger than ever before in the USA, as improved breeding and care contribute to a better animal.
Of course, it is necessary to have a good jack donkey in order to make a good mule, and with the revival of the mule industry in the USA, good big donkeys are more valuable than ever.
In Mexico, economic changes mean that fewer donkeys are on the roads, but in some areas they are still a very valuable work animal. Here on the Rio Bravo del Norte, donkeys run wild in the desert and people in the border villages use them to ride and pull wagons, just like a hundred years ago. A lot of Texans, both Anglo and Spanish, use burros to guard herds of sheep and goats, and are proud of good looking, well trained burros.
Cowboys y vaqueros on the border ranches use mules in the roughest parts of the mountains, where horses would not be practical.
Burros and mulas have been with us since Biblical times and will be with us for a very long time to come.
In your opinion, what can people learn about donkeys?
I have learned a lot from my little remuda. If you wish to become a humble and patient person, running a little herd of donkeys will help more anything else I can think of. I've learned that I can be proud of the condition and good health of my donkeys, and I enjoy riding them and training them very much. I enjoy riding past the gas stations, now that gas is so expensive. When the teenagers ride by in their Mustangs and laugh, I feel even better.
When I ride, people frequently stop and ask questions about my good burros. It's nice to see the old people in this Spanish-speaking border area smile when they see me riding along- they often have a good story about "the old days".
Little children come around to visit my burros. Now that TV and video games have the attention of most children, it makes me feel good to see kids who want to learn about riding.
Children can learn a lot from burros...
Thank you Zachary! Is there anything you would like to add?
Burros and mulas helped build the countries of Mexico and the USA in the old days. Farms, mines, seaports, ranchers, freight lines, exploration, Indian fighting, coffee growing, the humble donkey and mule patiently and humbly worked for our ancestors.
They are good animals and deserve our attention and good care.
Zacarias
Marathon
Texas
USA