WESTERN WASHINGTON
LONGEARS CLUB
LONGEARS CLUB
Western Washington Longears Club is dedicated to the usage and promotion of the Mule and Donkey. It was started about 1981 with only five members who wanted to show and ride their donkeys and mules. During it's first years, the members met at individual's homes. As the membership increased, it became necessary to meet in a larger place. We now meet at the Spana-Park Eagles building in Spanaway.
Our club is very active. We ride and pack our mules for recreation, of course: but that is only a small part of what we do with our mules. We build trail systems, we have monthly trail rides all over the state, we donate to other clubs, we are active in the political arena specifically with regards to protecting and preserving the Wilderness. Finally, at the end of every year, we have our Christmas Party, complete with Santa. (We haven't seen Santa's reindeer but we are all convinced they have very LONG--EARS!!)
Now, for a little history about our long-eared sure-footed friends.
The Mule and Donkey have become more than just a backyard friend. They have been in the past and are still an integral part of our heritage. Without the Mule’s ability and agility in the World Wars I, II and the Korean War, many bridges may not have been built, there would have been lots of hungry men and many trucks, jeeps and other equipment might still be stuck in the mud or snow, had it not been for our Longeared friends.
We owe the existence of the mule in America to George Washington. He needed a strong animal with sure feet and depth of character. So he went to the King of Spain and worked out a deal for one of the King's finest Jacks (a male burro). He bred that Jack to one of his best mares, and that is the story of how our friend, the mule, became part of our American history.
Our club is very active. We ride and pack our mules for recreation, of course: but that is only a small part of what we do with our mules. We build trail systems, we have monthly trail rides all over the state, we donate to other clubs, we are active in the political arena specifically with regards to protecting and preserving the Wilderness. Finally, at the end of every year, we have our Christmas Party, complete with Santa. (We haven't seen Santa's reindeer but we are all convinced they have very LONG--EARS!!)
Now, for a little history about our long-eared sure-footed friends.
The Mule and Donkey have become more than just a backyard friend. They have been in the past and are still an integral part of our heritage. Without the Mule’s ability and agility in the World Wars I, II and the Korean War, many bridges may not have been built, there would have been lots of hungry men and many trucks, jeeps and other equipment might still be stuck in the mud or snow, had it not been for our Longeared friends.
We owe the existence of the mule in America to George Washington. He needed a strong animal with sure feet and depth of character. So he went to the King of Spain and worked out a deal for one of the King's finest Jacks (a male burro). He bred that Jack to one of his best mares, and that is the story of how our friend, the mule, became part of our American history.