Donkey Tails

The distinct bray of a donkey, their long ears, soft muzzle, kind eyes, and their insatiable affection always bring a smile. We sometimes apologize to the neighbors for all the donkey sounds in the neighborhood, but universally they say they like it. Unlike barking dogs at midnight or the crowing rooster at 3am, burro sounds anytime can put joy in your heart. When treated right, they crave human contact, follow like a puppy, and give wonderful hugs. Donkeys are known for thei

Stray Raven Stories I have a tendency to underestimate how complicated new hobbies can become. It usually starts the same way: That sounds fun! There was a period in my life when I was beginning to discover what I actually enjoyed. I wasn’t setting out to reinvent myself. I simply found myself saying yes whenever something sparked my curiosity. Tennis sounded fun, so I joined a Meetup and started playing with complete strangers. Zumba sounded fun, so I started taking classes

Ridgecrest regional wild horse and burro corrals

Fan Video edited and given to CBB by Vincent Hernandez

Ever since I read the memoir Running with Sherman: The Donkey with the Heart of a Hero , I've been interested in witnessing burro...

What makes donkeys different from horses? How do you gentle a wild donkey? And why are donkeys often misunderstood?

In this very special donkumentary, we’re headed to the Mojave Desert — to Death Valley, in particular — where we find one animal at the...

If you’re at a pack burro race and feel a surge of energy, you'll see a couple in matching bright colors- you’ve spotted Karin Usko and...

This photo archive was created by wonderful volunteer Pack Burro Photographers who are preserving the past, documenting the present, and creating the visual history of pack burro racing for future generations See the 2026 race photo archive on Dropbox: Julie (the burro) with Lisa & Bruce Livingston

So many FIRSTS to write about in this first race review of a donkey race. Both Michelle and I raced the donkeys in different distances...

Karin Usko and her husband John Auborn often hike in the mountains north of their Ridgrecrest home and try to spot the wild donkeys....

The Bureau of Land Management has some amazing volunteers and adopters. Two volunteers for BLM California , Karin Usko and John Auborn,...

By Karin Usko Bracelet Margarita is my Johnny, NV burro. You may know the story; she earned her name by getting her foot caught in a pipe...

My human mom, Karin is a German, born and raised in El Salvador, a strange but funny mix. Someone in that family had a mule, Sombra and as nobody rode her, Sombra adopted Karin as a godchild on her family's coffee finca in El Salvador. She says her parents seemed a bit careless about her safety when she was at the finca, now we all know they just trusted her mule, Sombra to carry her around all day. Usually her parents didn't see her all day, or maybe just some times at lunch