When you first meet Don and Joy Tibbals they strike you as the kind of friendly, hardworking grandparents you remember from your youth. Owners of a 56-acre ranch along the Walker River just west of Yerington, Nevada (“the hay truck I was driving broke down here in 1951 and I stayed,” says Don), the Tibbals can boast of having eight children, twenty-seven grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren, two dogs, two mules, eleven cows, and twenty-two, count-em, twenty-two burros. The burros were adopted off Bureau of Land Management (BLM) public lands in Nevada and California.

What, no cats?

“I’m allergic to them,” says Joy.

These burros spend their days roaming the alfalfa fields north of the ranch house or enjoying the huge cottonwood trees and brush along the Walker River. They come running whenever Don calls. You get the feeling that the burros would be allowed in the house and the car if it was physically possible (only their two poodles have that honor). The Tibbals are without a doubt some of the most successful adopters to participate in the BLM’s adoption program for excess wild burros from rangelands in southern Nevada and California. They love animals and the feeling seems mutual.

“People around the valley often refer to me as ‘The Donkey Lady of Yerington,’” says Joy. “We get asked about them all the time. They are quite visible to the public because a Nevada State Highway and rest stop border our fields. People love to come pet them – they’re gentle and have been trained not to bite or kick – plus, they’ll bring them apples and carrots. But you know what their favorite treat is? Pancakes!”

The burros all came originally from BLM managed public lands surrounding Death Valley National Park and from near Needles, California. Don and Joy spotted a number of them at the BLM wild horse and burro holding center outside Ridgecrest, California. “We immediately went about adopting as many as BLM could allow,” says Joy. “Don had animals as a boy, but I grew up in Ogden, Utah, so it was all new to me. But they’re like family now. Our grandkids just love to come feed and hang on them.”

Burros & Baseball
Don admits he grew up with burros around Bishop, California, and has always thought that they are the smartest and most trainable of hooved animals. “Burros like to participate in things you would never dream of trying with a horse. I remember playing donkey baseball at a Lion’s Club sponsored event in Bishop back in 1948,” says Don. That’s when you form up teams where the players have to lead a burro around with them while they bat or try to field the ball. It leads to some really hilarious moments. The burros will cooperate for most of the game, but they do live up to their stubborn reputation at times – they don’t always want to go where you want them to or when you want them to.”

Donkey Days
In addition to their ranch, the Tibbals own the rental community of Weed Heights west of Yerington and annually host their own “Donkey Days” festival in the park there. Guess what the biggest event of the week is? Yep, Donkey Baseball is back, followed by a big evening barbecue; both are a hit with players and spectators alike. Word-of-mouth among RV camper owners is spreading the news of the family-oriented festival held every September. The Tibbals have traveled in their RV, too, and they provide some nice facilities for those who come to Donkey Days.

How do you properly prepare for Donkey Baseball?

Don says there is a secret to burro base running success when rounding the bases in Donkey Baseball. “Keep talking to them as you’re walking alongside,” says Don. “They’ll usually go right along with you. Most people think you have to get behind them and yell ‘yee-haw, let’s go,’ but they’ll run straight past first base and won’t stop until they get to the right field fence.”

Any last minute base running advice?

“Yeah, don’t forget to let go of the rope if you trip,” says Don.

Tibbals Tidbits on Raising Burros
Do the Tibbals have advice to potential adopters of BLM burros? “Burros are very social animals so remember that they are happier in a group and love company. They also are good companions for mules, horses, and even sheep,” says Don. “You also should take time to work with each animal. Remember to approach them from the side and keep talking in low, gentle tones. Most of them respond very well if you don’t approach them directly from the front – they perceive that as a threat. Burros are desert animals so they don’t like wet soil conditions. Make sure they have some dirt and dust to roll around in since that is their way of taking a bath and keeping the bugs off.”

The Tibbals are glad to pass on their experiences and suggestions to future potential adopters of BLM burros. Potential adopters are also invited to the annual Donkey Days each September. The Tibbals can be reached at www.weedheights@aol.com or by calling (775) 463-3351. Play ball!