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“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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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

 

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Merry Christmas From Lucky Three Ranch!

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM ALL OF US AT THE LUCKY THREE RANCH TO ALL OF OUR FAMILY, FRIENDS & FANS.
Click here https://youtu.be/9rGWCwvw2bs for a special video gift for you. Wishing you all the best now and in the years to come!

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: Breeding for Quality Mules Part 1

Breeding for Quality Mules Part 1 –

Meredith shares her expertise in breeding jacks to horse mares and jennets, selecting the premiere jack for your mule foal, selecting good quality mares for producing excellent mule babies, what to expect, how it all comes together.

LISTEN NOW

Learn more on Mule Talk podcast.

For more training info: www.LuckyThreeRanch.Com and click on the Training tab.
Mule Talk is an Every Cowgirl’s Dream production – www.EveryCowgirlsDream.Com

 

All Posts

MULE TALK! PODCAST: Mule & Donkey Movies & TV Shows

When working with the Longears, we do not set up the filming to get the perfect shots. We actually do everything at the time the equines are learning so people will know what to expect. This kind of training takes time and precision in communication with the animals to produce the results one would need for getting them to do anything and everything perfectly. And, it is a never-ending process! All the filming and documentation we do is to undeniably validate the integrity and quality of our management and training ...

What’s New with Roll? Obstacles

After a couple of weeks working on flatwork leading training through the hourglass followed by a couple of lessons in the round pen, I decided to do some coordination work over the obstacles. In Stage One of obstacle training, the only task is to get through the obstacles, changing fear into curiosity. In Stage Two, we break things down into smaller steps and square up at every interval to facilitate good equine balance and add coordination to his movements. With constant repetition, going through gates is a cinch ...

LTR Training Tip #22: Gate Training

 Including good manners and routine practices while teaching gate training makes your job—and your equine’s—a lot easier, now and far into the future ...

LTR Training Tip #11: The Importance of Good Posture

 Your horse, mule or donkey isn't born with good posture--so Meredith has some tips on how you can ensure he's moving his body properly as you train ...

MULE CROSSING: Achieving Balance and Harmony

By Meredith Hodges Achieving balance and harmony with your equine requires more than just balancing and conditioning his body. As you begin finishing training on your equine, your awareness must now be shifted more toward your own body. Your equine should already be moving steadily forward in a longer frame and be basically obedient to your “aids” (your seat, legs and hands). The object in finishing training is to build the muscles in your own body so that your aids become more clearly defined and effective. This involves the shedding ...

MULE CROSSING: On the Trail with Mules

By Meredith Hodges With the hectic schedule of spring and summer slowly tapering into fall, thoughts of cool, refreshing mountain streams, the sight of a massive bull elk, or the quiet majesty of the rugged mountain peaks on a relaxing trail ride, mountain hunt or pack trip begin to ease their way into our minds. What better time to share with your mule or donkey? What better place for him to show you what he was born to do? A mountain trail ride or pack trip are both perfect ways ...

MULE TALK! PODCAST: On the Trail with Mules

Mules are remarkably strong and durable animals, making them excellent mountain partners. The cupped shape of their hooves allows them to track the rough mountain terrain being much more surefooted than their counterpart, the horse. A mule’s superior intelligence and strong sense of survival help him to carefully negotiate the placement of his feet, insuring the safest ride possible. This is both important and comforting to know when heading for the mountains. The mule’s strength and endurance are sometimes unbelievable, but always dependable. On a hunting trip, he will take ...

What’s New with Roll? Grooming & Halters

So what do you do together when it’s snowing outside? Roll looked like he was wearing SNOW boots when he first came into the tack barn. So, first we had to remove all of the icicles, but I had to be very careful because they don’t exactly come off easily. Roll let me know when I tugged too hard on the shedding blade and suggested that I warm them with my hand before I pulled! Good plan! By the time I got to the back end, they had ...

LTR Training Tip #21: Assessing Your Equine

 Determining your animal's athletic ability is a useful guide in the training of your equine. Here, Meredith breaks it down into both a physical and mental assessment ...

MULE CROSSING: Surge of Mule Shows

By Meredith Hodges I remember back in 1982 when summer came and we had to search high and low for shows in which we could compete with our mules! As they say, "You've come a long way, baby!" Mule shows are now so numerous that it is becoming very difficult to decide which ones to attend. Years ago, our mules were not necessarily welcome at horse competitions, and today that has changed as well – making our decisions about where to compete is even more complicated. It is truly amazing ...

What’s New with Roll? Riding in Round Pen

Roll was devastated at the loss of Rock on December 27, 2011. He really didn’t know how lucky he was to be in our loving care at the time, however continuing his well established maintenance and training routine gave him some solace and in two weeks he began to reciprocate our unconditional affection for him. We moved him into Rock’s stall which also gave him a sense of security. He seemed to find comfort in Rock’s scent. Like Rock, Roll spent many lessons on the lead rope doing his core ...

MULE TALK! PODCAST: Surge of Mule Shows

Mule shows are now so numerous that it is becoming very difficult to decide which ones to attend. Years ago, our mules were not necessarily welcome at horse competitions, and today that has changed as well – making our decisions about where to compete is even more complicated. It is truly amazing to see the tremendous growth in popularity of the mule over the past 30 to 40 years, but then I guess it was inevitable given all their redeeming qualities! It really isn't that unusual that people would begin ...

MULE CROSSING: Keys To Successful Training, Part 2: Attitude and Approach

By Meredith Hodges Establishing a bond Are you having problems getting the same response from your equine that trainers do?  This two-part article is designed to help you learn to successfully train your own equine. Training isn’t just a way to teach your equine to do certain “movements,” but a way for you to help him to grow physically and mentally healthy, and to enable him to learn to cope with the demands that will be put on him during his lifetime—much like raising a child to grow up to ...

Breeding

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Donkey Training

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Farewells

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General Interest

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Hearts & Horses

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Historical

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Interviews

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Jasper

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Longears People News

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Longears Videos

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Lucky Three Ranch

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Military Mules

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Mule Talk! Podcasts

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Pack Burro Racing

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Showing

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Statues & Exhibits

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Training

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Training Tips

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