“The passion that Meredith Hodges feels for the equines that she has fought for all her adult life is still as fresh, inspiring and infectious as it was when she first discovered the world of horses, donkeys and mules. She has never wavered in her devotion to them and in her mission to carve a lasting and honored place for them in our world. They are lucky to have her as their champion, but Meredith actually sees it a bit differently. She feels honored and privileged to be a part of their world.”
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Meredith Hodges Interview for the 2024 Hearts and Horses Gala Part 1
Part one of Meredith Hodge’s interview for the Hearts and Horses 2024 Gala. Lucky Three Ranch was a presenting sponsor for the Gala. Meredith talks about the importance of being of service.
Meredith Hodges Interview for the 2024 Hearts and Horses Gala Part 2
Part two of Meredith Hodge’s interview for the Hearts and Horses 2024 Gala. Meredith thanks those who join in supporting Hearts and Horses and talks about the importance of developing the positive in people.
Ground Breaking - Raising the Barn
Hearts and Horses broke ground on a new arena where they will continue to change lives through therapeutic riding. The new arena will be called Lucky Hearts, as much of the funding for the arena was given by Lucky Three Ranch.
Hearts & Horses Virtual Tour
Haven’t made it out to the Hearts & Horses ranch yet? Here’s your chance, thanks to our brand new virtual tour! Discover all of the state-of-the-art facilities designed to heal minds, bodies, and spirits at our 23-acre ranch in Loveland, Colorado.
Latest Podcast

MULE TALK! PODCAST: Establishing Management Practices for N.I.
- Discuss a plan of action with your vet to prepare for the N.I. foal.
- N.I. can threaten the life of your mule foal before it is even born.
- Proper management during the first few days of the mule foal’s life is critically important.
- It is highly recommended to check with your veterinarian before breeding mules.
- Testing the mare before delivery is essential.
- Good records are important for clear communication with your vet.
Learn more on Mule Talk podcast.
All Posts

MULE TALK! PODCAST: Establishing Management Practices for N.I.
- Discuss a plan of action with your vet to prepare for the N.I. foal.
- N.I. can threaten the life of your mule foal before it is even born.
- Proper management during the first few days of the mule foal's life is critically important.
- It is highly recommended to check with your veterinarian before breeding mules.
- Testing the mare before delivery is essential.
- Good records are important for clear communication with your vet.

MULE CROSSING: Neonatal Isoerythrolysis

CHASITY’S CHALLENGES: Chasity’s First Ride: 9-15-20

CHASITY’S CHALLENGES: Combined Groundwork: 9-1-20

MULE TALK! PODCAST: Dr. Josie Traub-Dargatz, N.I.
- Neonatal Isoerythrolysis (N.I.) A life-threatening condition that is more common in mule foals.
- Learn how to prevent it.
- Clinical signs recognized in the first few days of the foal's life and perhaps up to 12 days of age include: a) Weakness and lethargy, b) Decrease in suckling the mare c) Rapid breathing, d) Pale or yellow discoloration of the mucous membranes. e) Red color to the urine f) In severe cases collapse and death can occur.
- 1 in 10 mule foals is at risk ...

MULE CROSSING: In Appreciation of Mules

CHASITY’S CHALLENGES: Leading, Lunging & Ground Driving: 8-18-20

LTR Training Tip #12: Imprinting and How it Works

MULE CROSSING: Understanding the Use of Cruppers and Breeching
- The purpose of tack and equipment has always been to give man comfort and leverage against the equine’s resistance during training, but I believe that the equine is “talking” with his resistance, and this is a cue to find another alternative to achieve harmony when something isn’t working.
- Trail Riding and Jumping are two activities where it is positively essential to do core postural training with your equine to solidify his symmetrical balance when in motion, or even standing still.
- The animal with deliberate foot placement ...

MULE CROSSING: Establishing Management Practices for N.I. (Neonatal Isoerythrolisis)

CHASITY’S CHALLENGES: Fun with Friends: 8-4-20

MULE TALK! PODCAST: Myths About Desensitization
- Correctly apply desensitizing techniques.
- Develop trust with your equine.
- Approach obstacle training with safety in mind.
- Break down tasks to achieve solid, reliable behavior from your equine.
- Apply what your equine knows from his previous training, while on the trail in a real-life situation that could threaten your safety.

CHASITY’S CHALLENGES: Lunge Line Training: 7-21-20

LTR Training Tip #11: The Importance of Good Posture
Breeding

MULE CROSSING: Breeding Quality Mules

MULE CROSSING: Donkey Jacks

MULE CROSSING: The Mule Foal

MULE CROSSING: Stubborn As A Mule
Donkey Training

MULE CROSSING: Donkey Training, Part 1

MULE CROSSING: Donkey Training, Part 2

MULE CROSSING: Donkey Training, Part 3

MULE CROSSING: Donkey Training, Part 4

MULE CROSSING: Donkey Training, Part 5

MULE CROSSING: Donkey Training, Part 7

MULE CROSSING: Donkey Training, Part 8

MULE CROSSING: Donkey Training, Part 9

MULE CROSSING: Donkey Training, Part I0

MULE CROSSING: Donkeys: The “Sinking” Reflex

MULE CROSSING: Donkey Training, Part 6

MULE CROSSING: Donkey Talk

Another Augie and Spuds Adventure: A Visit To Asspen 7-4-21

Wrangler’s Donkey Diary: Sarcoid Treatment Again 1-29-20

CHASITY’S CHALLENGES: Maintaining a Happy Donkey: 3-2-21
Farewells

Eulogy to Von Twitchell

Goodbye to Lucky Three Sundowner

Goodbye to Little Jack Horner

Sad Loss for Longears Industry: Goodbye to Crystal Ward

Goodbye to Homer

Goodbye to Buddie Stockwell

Rest in Peace, Besty Hutchins

Melinda’s Masterpiece “Lindy”
General Interest

MULE CROSSING: In Appreciation of Mules

MULE CROSSING: Hoof Differences in Horses, Donkeys and Mules

Prey or Predators?

What About Muzzles?

Horse Tales for the Funny Bone

Modern Day Mule Train

Romulus and Remus, A Big Pair of Asses…

MULE CROSSING: Benefit of Organizational Skills

MULE CROSSING: Why Mules Are Exceptional

MULE CROSSING: Mule & Donkey Movies & TV Shows
- Does the Lucky Three Ranch participate in filming? Since my parents gave me a Brownie camera when I was five years old, I have been fascinated with taking pictures. They also gave me a diary after I learned to write. When I got older and began my interaction and training with mules in 1973, I always documented those interactions with my mules and donkeys in pursuit of learning the best way to manage and train them. I wanted to give them the best opportunity to exceed ...
Hearts & Horses

Congratulations to Cliff and Bud!

A Sad Goodbye to Our Friend Cliff

Raising the Barn

Hearts & Horses Virtual Tour
Historical

Mule Finds at Theodul Pass

Sybil Ludington: The Female Paul Revere

Compassionate Training – A Historical Example

Mules and Donkeys in the Bible

Breeding Letter from George Washington

The History of the Missouri Mule

Veterans Day and Longeared Soldiers

From the SWISS BULLETIN: The Mule Media Archive

From the SWISS BULLETIN: Project Mule Museum in Törbel

From the SWISS BULLETIN: Evidence of mules in ancient times, Part 1

From the SWISS BULLETIN: Evidence of mules in ancient times, Part 2

From the SWISS BULLETIN: The Two Mules

From the SWISS BULLETIN: The Mule as a Workhorse in Antiquity and the Early Middle Ages

From the SWISS BULLETIN: Opening of the Swiss National Museum in 1898

From the SWISS BULLETIN: The last packer of Zermatt Belvedere
Interviews

Meredith on Modern Farmer

Meredith on “All About Horses”

The Mule Whisperer
Jasper

Jasper: A Christmas Caper on Rural TV

Jasper: A Turkey Tale on Rural TV

Jasper Wins Telly Awards!
Longears People News

Happy Hinnies!

Extreme Cowboy Race Washington

One Size Fits All? Not for Equines

Mule Mama Update

Mule Are Good Mothers, Too!

Dressage Mule Slate Helps Spread Awareness of Working Equines

Laura Hermanson & “Behold the Desert” to Compete in USDF Finals

Help a Mule Make it to the US Dressage Final

Buckeye the Mule!

Flash of Wisdom: Rachel Anne Ridge

Steve Edwards on Insurance for the Livestock and Equine Owner
Longears Videos

Longears Music Videos: All Turnouts Must End

Longears Music Videos: Let’s Roll – Grooming

Longears Music Videos: Run Wild – Gymkhana

Longears Music Videos: Pack It In: Packing
Lucky Three Ranch

Equines of a Certain Age

Going for Gold

35 Years of Lucky Three Ranch

Lucky Three Ranch From Above

Another Augie and Spuds Adventure: SnowPlay 01-14-22

Another Augie and Spuds Adventure: A Spooky Adventure at Lucky Three Ranch 10-25-21

Another Augie and Spuds Adventure: A Visit To Asspen 7-4-21

Lucky Three Ranch Profile: Teaser Stallion Kip Dee Beau

Cyclone’s Sarcoid Surgery

Little Jack Horner and “Caramelo” Critique

MULE CROSSING: Little Jack Horner
Military Mules

“Sir, Reporting to the Mule in the Red Sash!”

Mules at West Point
Mule Talk! Podcasts

MULE TALK! PODCAST: Establishing Management Practices for N.I.

MULE TALK! PODCAST: Dr. Josie Traub-Dargatz, N.I.

MULE TALK! PODCAST: Myths About Desensitization

MULE TALK! PODCAST: Herd Introductions, Trailer Loading Your Mule, Using the Hard Tie, Using Restraints and more!
Pack Burro Racing

An Ode to Days Past, Colorado Burro Racing in Full Swing

Hal Walter: Pack Burro Racer, Father and Author
Showing

MULE CROSSING: Racing Mules

MULE CROSSING: Driving Activities

MULE CROSSING: Showing in Harness

MULE CROSSING: Jumping Mules

MULE CROSSING: Surge of Mule Shows
Statues & Exhibits

Dreaming of Friends

John Henry: Rocking Mule
Training

MULE CROSSING: Neonatal Isoerythrolysis

MULE CROSSING: Understanding the Use of Cruppers and Breeching

MULE CROSSING: Establishing Management Practices for N.I. (Neonatal Isoerythrolisis)

MULE CROSSING: Myths About Desensitization
Training Tips

LTR Training Tip #12: Imprinting and How it Works

LTR Training Tip #11: The Importance of Good Posture

LTR Training Tip #10: Clutter-Free Stalls
