Gladwin, MI
Crossroads Donkey Rescue will be hosting, Mule Palooza, a mule training and adoption event in conjunction with the Gladwin Carriage Festival August 8 - 9, 2009. Mule Palooza will be held at the Gladwin County Fairgrounds in Gladwin MI. Admission to the fairgrounds is $2, Mule Palooza is free. Participants and spectators are welcome. This is a hands-on mule training clinic. The clinic is Saturday, August 8 (9am - 4pm) and Sunday, August 9 (9am - 2pm). Mules will be at the fairgrounds and ready for inspection by the public by Friday, August 7 (12pm). They will remain at the fairgrounds and available for public inspection throughout the duration of the Festival and during all festival hours. The festival concludes at 4pm on Sunday, August 9.
The purpose of Mule Palooza is to showcase the Crossroads Donkey Rescue mules that are available for adoption. It is also designed to demonstrate the diversity and trainability of the mule. The plan is to adopt mules out to their new homes, by the end of the weekend. The adoption fees have been reduced for this special event. If you are not 100% sure at the conclusion of Mule Palooza, fostering a mule, may be an option. Anyone interested in participating in Mule Palooza are asked to call 989-426-7942 to complete an adoption application and sign up as a participant. Bring your truck and trailer. Camping is available at the fairgrounds for $25 (that's for the entire weekend, Thursday - Sunday). Although this is a mule event, Crossroads Donkey Rescue may also have adoptable donkeys on site, throughout the weekend.
Steve Edwards of RFD TV and Queen Valley Mule Ranch will be teaching the "How to" and "How Not To" of mule training techniques. He will be working directly with the Crossroads mules and perspective adopters. Steve plans to bring his film crew, so be prepared to see yourself on a future broadcast on RFD TV and in his video series. For those not familiar with Steve Edwards, he has appeared at the Michigan Horse Council Horse Expo, The Equine Affaire, Equifest, Hoosier Horse Fair, etc. He has also been featured in Western Horseman, Trail Rider, Western Mule, Mules & More, Bit & Bridle, and Rocky Mountain Rider. Steve designs and sells his own brand of mule saddles and equipment. He also has a video series with topics, such as colt starting, training the riding mule, pack mule, etc. Steve teaches at Pierce College and Central Arizona College in their equine programs. He will have mule equipment and videos available for purchase throughout Mule Palooza.
This is a great deal, as the Steve Edwards clinic is normally $200 each for participants with mule and $50 for spectators.
To view adoptable mules www.crossroadsdonkeyrescue.petfinder.com
Information on the Gladwin Carriage Festival www.gladwinhistory.org/carriagefest.html
Information on Steve Edwards www.muleranch.com
Information regarding Crossroads Donkey Rescue www.crossroadsdonkeyrescue.com
Or call 989-426-7942.
Perhaps a mule (or donkey) is in your future!