Another Augie & Spuds Adventure: Learning to Ground Drive
“Augie, come with me while she’s not looking!”
“I really like it when she works at OUR level!”
“You have to be really still when she’s punching holes!”
“Leading as a team is easy if you have done your homework!”
“What’s with the stick?!”
“Walk on?…oh, I remember that!”
“I think she wants us to pass her!”
“Oh, I get it…she wants us to walk beside her now!”
“WOW! Cool! We get to be in front now!”
To learn more about Meredith Hodges and her comprehensive all-breed equine training program, visit LuckyThreeRanch.com or call 1-800-816-7566. Check out her children’s website at JasperTheMule.com. Also, find Meredith on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.
© 2012, 2017, 2021, 2023 Lucky Three Ranch, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Another Augie and Spuds Adventure: Working with Chasity! 8-4-20
I’m not sure, Augie, but it must have something to do with those two big donkeys behind us! MMMM…oats!”
“Hi! I’m Wrangler and this is Chasity! You’ll have your turn to lunge when we get done! Here’s how we do it!”
“Yeah! We’ve been doing it longer than he has…and we’re a team…even at the halt, eh Spuds?!”
“That was really fun!! Isn’t she just beautiful, Augie?!”
“Hmmmmm…oh yeah, Spuds!!!”
Another Augie and Spuds Adventure: Yearly Baths Are Fun! 7-13-20
“I dunno, Spuds, but this hairbrush sure feels good and it’s really getting out all that dead hair! Feels GREAT!”
“Okay, Augie, now that your mane is done, let’s do the rest of you.”
“Hmmmm…this tastes pretty good on a hot day!”
“You are so adorable, Augie! Love your cutesy face!”
“Yeah, Yeah! Give it a rest, Mom! This is embarrassing!”
“Of course, she WOULD throw us a curve! That is one HUMUNGOUS truck, Augie! Are you sure we’re okay?”
“Of course, we are! She would never ask us to do anything that would hurt us! She LOVES US!”
“I suppose you’re right, Augie!”
Another Augie and Spuds Adventure: WE ARE NOT AFRAID! 10-5-20
“It’s easy when you have core strength and flexibility, Spuds! Then you can BOTH get what you want!”
“Sure is smoky out here from the fires, Augie!”
“Yeah, but it’s nice to be out for another adventure!”
Another Augie and Spuds Adventure: Exploring the JASPER CAROUSEL 5-19-20
Augie and Spuds always look forward to their adventures and this would be no exception!
“Oh Spuds, you know how to go through the gate, so just cut the drama and come and get your reward!”
“Look out there, Augie! Grass!” “Hey, Spuds! It’s Jasper!!!” “Check out Okie Dokey, Spuds. He’s a little donkey!”
Another Augie and Spuds Adventure: Old Western Town Project
3-26-20
Augie and Spuds have been very patient with me for the past year when I did not have time to do anything but grooming once a week and turnout. They were so thrilled to be able to go on another ADVENTURE! Today, we are going to inspect a new project, the false-front town of ASSPEN!
We thought this would be a really nice way to spruce up the big, brown boring wall behind the Lucky Three Eclipse statue and make things even more interesting for our tours! Going through the construction zone gives them a chance to practice their good manners and earn their rewards! Although, Spuds is in the lead out of the barn, he prefers it when Augie leads over and through obstacles.
Whatever works best… it’s always negotiable!
“Hey, Augie! What’s this?!”
“I don’t know, Spuds. It looks very interesting though.”
Augie surveys the situation, “Hmmm…a new obstacle course, maybe?!”
“I’m not sure about this, Augie!”
“It’s really easy, Spuds…and kind of fun!”
“Hey, Boys! Welcome to ASSPEN Town!”
“Here’s the Burro Bank, the ASSPEN Sheriff’s Office & Jail, the Chaney Church
and the Okie Dokey Undertaker”
“And concrete, Augie!”
“This must be the boardwalk sidewalk, eh Augie?!”
“Yup, but no boards yet! It would be easier with boards!”
“This is the best part, Spuds!”
“You bet! It’s good to be good!”
“And here’s the Half-Ass General Store, L.J.’s Barber Shop and the Crazy Ass Saloon!”
“It’s a little tight going between the boards and the fence, eh, Augie?!”
“No sweat, Spuds! Just pay attention to where you are going!”
“Did she build all this just for US, Augie?!”
“No, Spuds, I think it is for the people that come for tours, but we get to check it out first.”
“Well, it sure makes for a fun obstacle course, Augie!”
“It sure does and it’s great to be able to get out for a walk!”
“Now we have to pose for the camera, Spuds! Try to look nice!”
“Do I really have to?!!!
“Thanks, Mom! That was fun!!!”
“Yeah, Augie, I like the oats and the ‘snuggles’ afterwards best!”
“I always like our BIG adventures, Spuds!”
“Me, too, Augie!
Another Augie and Spuds Adventure: Boundaries at Play with Augie and Spuds
11-24-19
Getting down to your mini’s eye level so that he can make eye contact with you will foster good behavior and produce a willing relationship of trust between you. Learning how to begin the relationship with your miniature equine in a positive and natural way, and setting reasonable boundaries for behavior, discourages striking, jumping on you and other undesirable and abrupt behaviors that are common when working with miniature equines. The results of using this safe approach to miniature training have been amazing! My minis are always calm, happy to cooperate, play safely and continue to learn! Learn more about this gentle and effective way to manage and train YOUR mini on my website at www.luckythreeranch.com under TRAINING and in the STORE.
Another Augie and Spuds Adventure: Quality Time With Augie and Spuds
11-15-19
Miniature horses, donkeys and mules all have one thing in common; everyone else is taller than they are! As the saying goes, the eyes are the window to the soul so it is understandable that they would become anxious if they are unable to look into a person’s eyes to decide whether they are friend or foe. With safety always as my first priority, I work with my minis from a lower position whenever it’s safe to do so. That way, I can make eye contact with them, and I make certain they are always lavishly rewarded with an oats reward for their compliance. You can make fun of me if you want to, but another thing that is important is the way you talk to them. Baby talk INVITES their interest where a perpetually firm voice, or a clicker, does not invite the same kind of intimacy. The results of using this safe approach to miniature have been amazing! My minis are always calm and happy to cooperate and learn! Learn more about this gentle and effective way to manage and train YOUR mini on my website at www.luckythreeranch.com under TRAINING and in the STORE.
Another Augie and Spuds Adventure: Shenanigans in the Hayfields
6-6-18
Do you need some help with the lead ropes?
The saddle mules are headed for turnout. Where do you think we are going, Spuds?
Looks like we’re headed for the hayfield, Augie!
Looks like you were right, Spuds!
Isn’t it beautiful, Augie?!
What is that big yellow thing, Augie?!
That’s Chad, Spuds…oh, you mean the swather?!
How do you do, Augie? Now smile for the picture!
How do you do, Spuds? Not so sure?
WOW! That big thing sure makes a lot of noise!
Now where are we going, Augie?!
These are some really deep windrows!
And some really tall grass is growing in the jump course, Augie!
Boy, I’ll say it’s tall, Spuds! I can’t see a thing! Where are we going?
Spuds, Augie, Are you guys into having a picnic out here?
You bet! This is really cool!
Smile for the camera, Boys!
We are very happy with you, Mini Momma, aren’t we Spuds?!
I wuv you, too, Mini Momma!
And I love you both! What a grand picnic!
Another Augie and Spuds Adventure: Ground Drive Hourglass Pattern with Roll
“This vacuum sure feel good, Spuds!”
“Yeah, Augie, but why is Roll here with us?”
“Not sure, Spuds, but she’s putting on our driving gear.
We haven’t done that in a very long time! Can you tell where we are going?””
“Not really! I can see underneath, but Roll still makes a better door than a window! Is he going with us?!”
“It looks more like we are going with HIM, Spuds!”
“Oh look, Spuds! It’s the hourglass pattern! It must be ground driving today!”
She just got done leading Roll through the pattern and now you get to ground drive the pattern. Why do I have to go last?!
“Because that’s just the way it is, Augie! Just stay cool and chill while we do this thing in sync. I love to see if she can match my tiny steps!”
“One…two…three…four. She’s doing pretty good, Augie!”
Finally, it’s MY turn now, Spuds…one…two…three…four!”
“You watch, Spuds! I’m putting my whole body into it”
“Apparently she liked it! That was really fun and EASY!”
“Ah Gee, Spuds, do we have to go back already!”
“I don’t know about you, Augie, but I’m ready for supper!”
“You’re always ready for supper. That’s why you are so PORTLY, PUDS!”
Another Augie and Spuds Adventure: Because It’s There
“It’s a beautiful Fall day, Augie! Where do you think we are we going this time?”
“Maybe I shouldn’t have asked!”
“It wasn’t really THAT bad, was it, Spuds?!”
“Hey, Spuds, come look in here! It’s pretty cool!”
“Has she finally lost her mind, Augie?! We can’t fit in there!”
“It’s okay Fellas! We aren’t really going to try to climb in there! I was just kidding!”
“Guess the joke was on us this time, eh Augie?…Hmmmm…what’s this?”
“THIS is a big ditch full of water with a floating culvert, Spuds!”
“Oh fun!…Another mountain! I’m get to go first this time, Augie!”
“Boy, are these guys BIG, Augie! They are all really nice though!”
“Oh good, we get to see even more of our BIG friends, Spuds!”
“Where are we headed now, Augie!”
“It looks like we have some gate-training going on here, Spuds!”
“Remember to stand quietly while she shuts the gate, Augie!”
“She’s really proud of this new bathroom they are building, Spuds, so be sure to seem interested so you don’t hurt her feelings!”
“Okay, I’m in Augie, but I am also ready to exit stage right!”
“Wait a second, You Guys, I have a rock in my shoe!”
“Wait, Spuds, Mom has a rock in her shoe!”
“Isn’t this a cool statue, Spuds?”
“Yeah, that one was cool, but this one is my favorite, Augie!”
“Hey, Spuds! This one is just our size!!!”
“More gate training and we’re home again! What a great time we had on such a gorgeous Fall day!
To learn more about Meredith Hodges and her comprehensive all-breed equine training program, visit LuckyThreeRanch.com or call 1-800-816-7566. Check out her children’s website at JasperTheMule.com.Also, find Meredith on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.
© 2016, 2017, 2021 Lucky Three Ranch, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Another Augie and Spuds Adventure: Ground Drive Hayfield
“Hey, Augie! The sign says, ‘Beware of the Ass,’ but I say, ‘Beware of the Ass Trainer!’ We might actually have to do some work!”
“It’s nice to have a “Header” to follow right out of the Tack barn! That way we can start out on the right “feet!”
“One, two, three, four…one, two, three, four…I wonder where we are headed today, Spuds?!”
“Oh, WOW! We get to go to the hayfield, Spuds. Wide open spaces are FUN!”
“Be sure to stay in sync, Spuds! One, two, three, four…one, two, three, four…”
“Gotcha, Augie! Boy is this grass GREEN!”
“Great halt, Spuds! Now remember we can’t move or we won’t get our oats reward!”
“Aah, what’s this, Augie!”
“It’s just a culvert so we don’t have to jump the water in the ditch anymore, Spuds!”
“This is A LOT easier, Augie!”
“I guess we’re headed for home now, Augie!”
“Another wonderful adventure, eh Spuds?! Maybe we really don’t have to ‘Beware of the Ass Trainer’ after all!”
To learn more about Meredith Hodges and her comprehensive all-breed equine training program, visit LuckyThreeRanch.com or call 1-800-816-7566. Check out her children’s website at JasperTheMule.com. Also, find Meredith on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.
© 2016, 2017, 2021 Lucky Three Ranch, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Another Augie and Spuds Adventure: Spa Day
“Hey, Augie! It sure is hot…great day for a bath don’t you think?”
“Well, Roll seems pretty pleased after his bath looking in the window at
himself like that! Who needs a mirror?!”
“Hey, Spuds! I found a gold mine of oats AND grass!!!”
“A little WET, but not too bad!”
“Oooooh! That water is kinda cold, Spuds! Shocking!!!”
“Don’t pout, Spuds! It isn’t THAT cold and she will be done with you
in a minute! Suck it up!”
“What’s up, Spuds? Eat your oats!”
“I can’t be BOUGHT, Augie!”
“No Spuds, but you could cut off your nose to spite your face!”
“Hey, Mom…come back! I want the oats now!”
“You’re lucky she came back, Spuds!”
“We are two REALLY LUCKY guys, Augie! She’s the best!”
To learn more about Meredith Hodges and her comprehensive all-breed equine training program, visit LuckyThreeRanch.com or call 1-800-816-7566. Check out her children’s website at JasperTheMule.com. Also, find Meredith on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.
© 2016, 2017, 2021 Lucky Three Ranch, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Another Augie and Spuds Adventure: The Mounting Block
“Hey Augie, what’s she want us to do today?!”
“I think she wants me to JUMP!”
“It’s a good thing the surface is rough enough to stop, Spuds!”
“I was afraid it wasn’t, so I got out of your way, Augie!”
“I’m not sure I can do this as well as you did, Augie!!!”
“Can you at least TRY, Spuds?!”
“Okay Augie, I’ll try!”
“WHOA! OOPS!….”
“Are you okay, Spuds?”
“That was some kinda sliding stop, Spuds!!!”
“Thanks a lot, Augie! I’m getting down now!”
“Hey Spuds, watch out!!!”
“Is it time for oats now?!!!!”
“She would NEVER forget the oats if we do what she asks, Spuds!
“Is that why you usually get more than me, Augie?!”
To learn more about Meredith Hodges and her comprehensive all-breed equine training program, visit LuckyThreeRanch.com or call 1-800-816-7566. Check out her children’s website at JasperTheMule.com. Also, find Meredith on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.
© 2015, 2017, 2021 Lucky Three Ranch, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Another Augie and Spuds Adventure: Bathing with Roll II
“Roll’s hogging the washrack, Augie! How are we supposed to fit?”
“Is this better, Spuds?” “I suppose so, Augie…as long as he keeps his distance!”
“Hey, Spuds, how’s it feel?”
“It’s so hot, this feels GREAT, Augie!!!”
“Oh yeah, Spuds, this is great…nice cool water!”
“Uh, excuse me, is anyone listening? BIG FOOT here is getting a little too close again!”
“Oh good! Thanks, Mom!”
“Just you wait, Spuds!”
“Hey, Augie! Did he just threaten me?”
“Naw, he’s just kidding, Spuds.”
“Are ya sure, Augie?”
“Yeah, I’m sure. We’re all too COOL to behave badly!”
Another Augie and Spuds Adventure: In the Park
“Hey, Augie! Where are we going today?”
“Isn’t there a better way to go than up the steps?”
“Really Augie, do you always have to be so cooperative?”
“Okay, what’s up now?”
“Oats are always good!”
“Are you kidding me? You really think that book will help?”
“Augie, do you always have to be such a show-off?”
“If you took the time to study, Spuds, things might be a lot easier for you!”
“Maybe you’re right, Augie!”
“I like how the book says we’re different, Augie. The family that grazes together, stays together!”