Skip to content

LTR Blog

“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.”

View Posts By Category:

Breeding  | Donkey Training  |  Farewells  |  General Interest

Hearts & Horses  |  Historical  |  Interviews  |  Jasper

Longears People News  |  Longears Videos  |  Lucky Three Ranch

Military Mules  |  Mule Talk! Podcasts  |  Pack Burro Racing

Showing  |  Statues & Exhibits  |  Training  |  Training Tips

 

CROPIMG_2835

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: Donkey Training, Part 3

Donkey Training, Part 3 –
  • When your donkey is doing well with the trot, time to learn to canter.
  • Use verbal commands with your donkey.
  • Training your donkey to move laterally.
  • Using the hourglass pattern in your training to improve posture and overall balance.
  • Using your elbow pull as a training aid.
  • Training your donkey at Cavalletti.
  • Training your donkey for jumping. And more!

LISTEN NOW

Learn more on Mule Talk podcast.

All Posts

MULE CROSSING: Racing Mules

By Meredith Hodges Racing, the Sport of Kings has intrigued people for hundreds of years. Perhaps it’s the beauty of running horses, or maybe the way your heart swells with excitement as they come down the home stretch, or it could just be the money. But whatever the reason, millions flock to the racetracks each year to enjoy this magnificent sport. Over the years, racing has expanded to include not only the Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds, but Appaloosas, Arabians, and Quarter Horses as well. During the past three decades, mules have ...

Chasity’s Challenges: Real Time Update: 5-5-20

5-5-20: My Grandmother taught me that Good Posture, Good Manners and Good Hygiene don’t cost anything but very little time and effort, and the results are nothing less than miraculous! Practicing these simple elements of living can, however, save you a lot of money in veterinary and maintenance costs associated with you and your equines! Preventive measures can deter accidents and good hygiene practices deter poor health. Chasity came to us with a plethora of problems. I have documented and shared a number of things with you about the benefits ...

MULE TALK! PODCAST: Keys to Successful Training Part 2

Keys to Successful Training Part 2 -
  • Establishing a bond.
  • Feeding.
  • Consideration
  • Structured exercises.
  • Body language and verbal communication.
  • Benefits of group lessons.
  • Take lessons periodically to stay on track to improve your own skills.
  • Lists of trainers and instructors can be obtained from the United States Equestrian Federation and the American Donkey & Mule Society.
LISTEN NOW Learn more on Mule Talk podcast. ...

CHASITY’S CHALLENGES: Chasity’s Spring Walk: 4-21-20

It was a gorgeous spring day and I was so pleased when Chasity came right to the door to meet me again as she had been doing consistently after only two lessons in her initial training. As I cleaned her nostrils and smelled the clean spring air, I thought it might be nice to forego the indoor arena lessons and go out and enjoy this lovely spring weather. Sometimes just doing things a little differently with the same basic lessons can give you both a new perspective on training and ...

MULE TALK! PODCAST: Keys to Successful Training Part 1

Keys to Successful Training Part 1 -
  • The Work Station
  • Tack and Equipment
  • In the Round Pen
  • Be aware of how your own body language and verbal commands elicit certain behaviors in your animal.
  • The Hard Tie as a restraint and how to use it.
  • In the Arena
  • Open Areas
LISTEN NOW Learn more on Mule Talk podcast. ...

CHASITY’S CHALLENGES: Soaking the Infection: 4-15-20 & 4-20-20

Chasity did not enjoy the soaking of her teats with the hose, so I opted to change my approach to make her more comfortable. Her posture has improved considerably with her postural core strength exercises in the “Hourglass Pattern” and with negotiating some of the obstacles to add coordination. She is now coming to the stall door to be haltered. She’s a very quick learner! The infection is still draining and that is good. Each soaking, I groom her and scrape the discharge from her hind legs while she stands ...

MULE TALK! PODCAST: Fine-tuning the Rider/Fine-tuning the Aids

Fine-tuning the Rider/Fine-tuning the Aids —
  • The benefits of using positive reinforcement early on in your mule's training.
  • Apply corrective measures appropriately when working with your young mule.
  • Each mule learns in their own way and at their own pace.
  • Using your seatbones to fine-tune your aids.
  • Use half-halts when making a transition will alert your mule a change is going to occur.
  • Using circles to benefit your training.
  • Working at a pace so as not to confuse or create anxiety in your mule.
  • Establishing fine-tuning will create harmony ...

CHASITY’S CHALLENGES: Chasity Finds Flexibility: 4-28-20

4-28-20 Chasity does not have the most optimum conformation anyway, but when she first arrived, she was really stuck in a bad posture. She moved with a hollow back and her legs did not reach underneath her body when she walked. Her body did not allow for a flexible spine with ideal movement through her joints and I would presume that internal organ function was also compromised. Her body was very stiff and flexion of any kind was difficult for her. The bacterial infection in her udder was old and persistent. With our feeding, management ...

LTR Training Tip #4: Communication and Equines

 Meredith gets a lot of letters and emails from people with training questions about their equines. Here, she talks about how to best communicate with your equine ...

MULE TALK! PODCAST: Making History With Mules Part 3

Making History With Mules -
  • Mules before the industrial age were vital to the United States and utilized for heavy work.
  • Mules during the Westward Expansion days, transported families and their possessions through the Western Plains.
  • The U.S. Cavalry and their role in using mules.
  • Harvey Riley, author of The Mule, published in 1867 - an excellent source of the mule and its history in the U.S. Army.
  • Soldier, Jimmy Wright was saved by his mule during a horrific battle; his mule dragged him to safety.
LISTEN NOW ...

MULE CROSSING: Rewards, Treats, Coaxing and Bribing

By Meredith Hodges It is important to know the differences among rewards, treats, coaxing and bribing in order to correctly employ the reward system of training called Behavior Modification. Rule Number One: Treats and bribery should never be used during training. However, the appropriate dispensing of rewards and coaxing will produce the correct behaviors. In order to reward your equine correctly for performing tasks, it is important to know the difference between a reward and a treat, and between coaxing and bribing. Let’s begin with some basic definitions of these ...

CHASITY’S CHALLENGES: Tacking Up Appropriately: 4-14-20

4-14-20 Selecting the right tack for your Longears is essential to success. I rigged a cob-sized English bridle for Chasity with a pony Eggbutt snaffle bit (4 ½-inch), an over-sized Warmblood brow band to accommodate her wider forehead and not pinch her ears, and normal nose band with an “O” ring installed underneath with a lead rope attached. The “Elbow Pull” is the correct length and is put in place over the crown piece of the bridle and wrapped with a halter fleece to prevent rubbing on her poll. She will begin her postural ...

MULE TALK! PODCAST: Making History With Mules Parts 1 & 2

Making History With Mules -
  • Mules and donkeys are mentioned in the Bible.
  • The highest intelligence residing in animals is that of the mule.
  • Learn how mules played a significant part in Greek and Roman transportation.
  • HAI-BAR, a volunteer organization established to protect animals that had thrived in the Holy Land during the Old Testament years - but are now dangerously close to extinction.
  • Unique personality traits of the mule come from the ass.
  • George Washington - the first organized mule breeder in America.
  • Hear how the Erie Canal ...

LTR Training Tip #3: Work Stations

 Meredith gets a lot of letters and emails from people with training questions about their equines. Here, she discusses how to set up a work station for tack and grooming your equine ...

Breeding

No posts found.

Donkey Training

Chasity’s Challenges: Chasity’s Health Check 3-31-20

Our veterinarian, Greg Farrand, came to do a health check on Chasity the day after she arrived. She obviously needs a lot of core strength work, but it will improve her health and keep her occupied while she is in quarantine. Simple core strength leading lessons will have a dramatic effect on her overall health and welfare both physically and mentally. Wrangler looks on with interest as the vet surveys her condition. He thought because of her enlarged, fallen crested neck and all the fatty deposits over her body that ...

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

"Hmmmm....this feels REALLY good, Spuds!" "This looks promising...another adventure!" “Now we are both shed out, clean and ready for our adventure, Augie!” “Oh, look, Spuds! It’s Wrangler & Chasity! Oats around...LOL!!” “It’s Mirage and Francis, Augie...more oats...YAY!!!” “Francis sure is PURDY, Augie!”   “Still got that crush...eh, Spuds!” “Nice to have Robin with us this time!” “Are we going to get a trim? It looks like Dean, Augie!” “No, Spuds, maybe a bath at this Bath House?” “This boardwalk is kinda tricky, Augie!” “How about a haircut at the Barbershop, Spuds?” ...

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

Wrangler had his first sarcoid removal on 7-20-18, but we found another one just a few weeks ago starting under his right side. It looked like he had been rubbing it as it was a bit crusty. I had a mule that did that to a sarcoid and it eventually disappeared as did the other two that were on his body. He apparently built immunity against the sarcoids. So, we opted to wait and see if this one on Wrangler would also just go away. It didn’t and it was ...

MULE CROSSING: Donkeys As Livestock Guardians

By Meredith Hodges There has been a lot of discussion since the early nineties around using donkeys for small livestock protection and predator control. Donkeys can certainly be a formidable opponent for cats and dogs and other smaller animals. One needs to be careful about who the donkey is pastured with since it is in their nature to pursue and sometimes kill animals that are smaller and weaker than them. This is true in all donkeys, although some individual females tend to be more maternal and are not apt to ...

Another Augie and Spuds Adventure: A Fabulous Snow Day! 10-31-19

AUGIE & SPUDS: SNOWPLAY...A FABULOUS SNOW DAY! No matter what season it is, there is always a way to turn training into fun with your equines. Usually, Augie and Spuds will just stand in their stalls when there is snow on the ground. I suppose they don’t like getting their feet wet and their stall is a nice, comfortable place with deep shavings. They do enjoy my encouragement to go exploring though, even if they have to get their feet wet! See more adventures with Augie and Spuds on my ...

Farewells

No posts found.

General Interest

No posts found.

Hearts & Horses

No posts found.

Historical

MULE CROSSING: Reflecting On Longears

By Meredith Hodges The contributions being made by mules and donkeys today are more numerous than they have ever been before and we should give thanks that we still have these Longears touching our lives and making them full! When the age of automation arrived, many mules, donkeys, and horses were put out of work. Mechanical alternatives were taking their places in the fields, in the coal mines, along the canals and even in the mountains. Horses made a somewhat smooth conversion of use to modern day recreation, but it ...

MULE CROSSING: Mules Accepted by U.S.E.F. in Dressage!

By Meredith Hodges It’s 2004 and “You’ve come a long way, Baby!” The movement to have mules accepted by major equine organizations began with the United States Dressage Federation in 1986, 17 years ago! There was still the hurdle of being accepted by the most prestigious equine organization in the country at the time, the American Horse Show Association that sanctioned all upper level shows and competitions. Since then, the mules’ participation in significant horse events was a long, uphill climb and membership in the A.H.S.A. was only a dream ...

MULE CROSSING: In Celebration of Mule History

By Meredith Hodges George Washington imported the first jacks into the United States on October 26, 1785. The two jacks were a special gift to him from the King of Spain, although one died during the crossing. Royal Gift made it to become the sire of Washington’s mules at Mount Vernon. Two hundred years later, October 26th became Mule Appreciation Day as a result of mule’s increased popularity in modern times. George Washington was one of the very few in his time who recognized the value of breeding good mares ...

MULE CROSSING: Contemporary Mules

Mules played an important role in our country during the Reconstruction Period: they patiently worked the fields, packed necessary artillery for the army, and served as a durable riding and driving animal in the westward movement. With the coming of the industrial age, their uses were minimized and they were faced with the possibility of extinction in the march of progress. Today, through the persistent determination of mule enthusiasts, mules are once again emerging as a conceivable asset to our economy and a unique form of athletic achievement and entertainment ...

MULE CROSSING: From Mules to Riches

By Meredith Hodges Long before the Founding Fathers drafted our constitution, America began as a religious nation under God, and the mule has his roots in religion just as does the country he has helped to build. The mule of today’s ancestor is the donkey, mentioned in the Bible numerous times as an animal respected by God and blessed by Jesus Christ. The donkey was even chosen to bring Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem and, later, acted as the mount Jesus himself used for his ride into the city of ...

MULE CROSSING: Celebrating the Pioneer Spirit of the American Mule

By Meredith Hodges Long before the Founding Fathers drafted our constitution, the roots of America were as a religious nation under God. Today’s mule also has his roots in religion. The mule’s ancestor—the donkey—is mentioned in the Bible numerous times as an animal acknowledged by God and blessed by Jesus Christ. The donkey was even chosen to bring Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem and, later, as the mount Jesus himself used for his ride into the city of Jerusalem. Throughout the development of our country—one nation under God—the American mule ...

MULE CROSSING: Suitability of Donkeys and Mules For Children

By Meredith Hodges Many have inquired as to the suitability of Longears for children. As with any equine, choosing the right individual for your child is of primary importance. However, as a general rule, we find that donkeys make excellent mounts for beginning riders because of their patient, quiet nature and good common sense. They can be the best possible babysitter. There are a lot of things to consider when choosing a donkey for your child. The first rule to observe is to never get a donkey jack for your ...

Interviews

No posts found.

Jasper

No posts found.

Longears People News

No posts found.

Longears Videos

No posts found.

Lucky Three Ranch

No posts found.

Military Mules

No posts found.

Mule Talk! Podcasts

No posts found.

Pack Burro Racing

No posts found.

Showing

No posts found.

Statues & Exhibits

No posts found.

Training

No posts found.

Training Tips

No posts found.