“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: Estate and Trust Planning
Estate and Trust Planning –
- Establish a plan that ensures the proper care of your animals should you pass on before they do.
- Check out the laws in your state so that your plan can be carried out.
- Have a conversation with friends, family, and/or business associates who qualify and are willing to take on the responsibility of your last wishes.
- Set aside the funds for your animals’ future and the caretakers as well in a trust fund.
- Keep your records organized; regarding the care, feeding, and vet records, including all documents that will help the new crew to move forward with your plan.
- Work with a financial advisor to keep you moving forward with your plan.
- Hire a qualified attorney to draw up your trust and estate plan – this ensures your plan is legal in your state and all documents are filed accordingly.
- DO NOT carry out a written agreement signed by you and your friend. This will not hold up in court.
Learn more on Mule Talk podcast.
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MULE CROSSING: Conduct and Good Sportsmanship
By Meredith Hodges Welcome to the wonderful world of mules! The mule is a product of the successful breeding of a male donkey, called a jack, and a female horse, called a mare. Mules can either be male or female, but they are unable to reproduce because of an odd number of chromosomes in their genetic makeup. When training mules, one needs to take into account the donkey half of the mule as well as the horse half. Horses can often be trained without the benefit of a personal relationship, ...
MULE CROSSING: Equine Industry Trends
By Meredith Hodges
- Military Horsemanship began with Xenophon who was born c. 430 BC, in the deme Erchia of Athens. Xenophon's father, Gryllus, was a member of a wealthy equestrian family and worked on many of the principles of classical dressage. Xenophon emphasized training the horse through kindness and reward. These principles made their way to the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, Austria where Colonel Podhasky rode for General Patton after WWII. This style of riding, Dressage, made its way to the West and was been transformed into Western Dressage. ...
MULE TALK! PODCAST: Mule Conformation
Mule Conformation
- Ideal qualities to look for in a mule.
- What to look for in the ideal head, neck, and shoulders of the mule. Mare and Both the mare and the jack contribute to the qualities desired in the mule.
- Be selective in your breeding program to producing desirable mules.
- Bone structure is important when selecting a mule for a job or performance.
- The mule overall should have a balanced look to his body.
- Pay attention to the hip, stifle, and gaskin, that should have a smooth-muscled look.
- Mules ...
MULE CROSSING: Good Basic Training Includes Common Sense, Part 1
By Meredith Hodges Many times I have been asked, “Is training a mule any different than training horses?” The answer to this is “Yes.” Since a mule is half horse and half donkey, the trainer must learn to appeal to the donkey half of the mule as well as the horse half. Donkeys are very sensitive animals requiring infinite patience and understanding. They possess a natural willingness to please which is evident when their training is approached properly. When training is done incorrectly, they will exhibit resistant behaviors that include ...
MULE TALK! PODCAST: The Benefit of Organizational Skills
The Benefit of Organizational Skills
- Find out how to organize your show clothes, tack, saddles and grooming supplies for an upcoming show.
- When to bathe and clip your mule.
- Vacuum and other grooming supplies.
- Blanketing your mules.
- Keep your paperwork on mules, truck and trailer in hand.
- Delegate tasks to show volunteers.
- How to be competitive, confident in your presentation.
- Pay attention to your show equipment in being competitive for your class.
- Be prepared for your classes.
MULE TALK! PODCAST: Maintenance & Grooming with Mules & Donkeys
Maintenance & Grooming Learn about:
- Use grooming tools that are comfortable for your mules and donkeys.
- Expensive horse/equine grooming tools are not all necessary to keep in your tack room or trailer.
- Insect control around the barn - what works.
- If showing: when to body clip your mule and how to body clip.
- Treating sores/scabs.
- Group grooming.
- Pasteworming is effective in controlling insects and flies - learn what to use!
MULE TALK! PODCAST: A Bit About Communication
A Bit About Communication - Achieving Balance & Harmony Learn about:
- Different types of bits and the different metals used to develop in equine bits.
- Snaffle bits and the different types that are recommended to use on your mule or donkey.
- Curb/leverage bits used in Western riding.
- The difference between a curb bit and a snaffle bit.
- Bridles and headstalls for your mule/donkey.
MULE TALK! PODCAST: Benefits of Postural Core Strength Training
Meredith shares the benefits for postural core strength training with your mules.
- Discover what happens to your mule(s) that are trained for Postural Core Strength.
- Using the Elbow Pull.
- How to make the Elbow Pull for your mule.
- The benefits of the hourglass pattern - simple and easy to do!
- The benefits of implementing these techniques into your training/riding.
- Emotional, physical benefits of Postural Core Strength Training
MULE TALK! PODCAST: Riding Side Saddle (Aside)
Meredith shares her experience growing up as a tomboy and progressing to riding side saddle then riding in elegance.
- Belle Star rode side saddle!
- How to achieve position and security when riding in a side saddle.
- Learn the three types of side saddles and what they offer.
- Learn the proper attire when riding aside.
- Men do ride Side Saddle!
- Shows/classes that offer side saddle.
- Proper bits to use when showing in side saddle.
- Care and reconditioning of side saddles.
- There are Side Saddle organizations!
MULE CROSSING: Getting Down with Minis, Part 1
By Meredith Hodges Miniature horses, donkeys and mules all have one thing in common; everyone else is taller than they are! That makes eye contact with the trainer very difficult if not impossible for them. 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. I have five miniature equines: a mini horse named Mirage, a mini mule named Franklin, a ...
Eulogy to Von Twitchell
On December 31, 2014, the world lost a very special man at 82 years of age and I lost a very special friend. I heard about Von Twitchell long before I ever met him. Bishop Mule Days is an annual rendezvous for mule and donkey lovers from all over the world and I remember how excited I would get when I heard the name Von Twitchell echoing from the announcer’s booth. I would run as fast as I could to watch him and Miss Kitty in the gymkhana and ...
Congratulations to Cliff and Bud!
Cliff Uber has been recognized as the 2012 PATH Intl. Independent Adult Equestrian award winner! He will be honored as a special guest at the PATH Intl. Awards Banquet held at the 2012 PATH Intl. Conference & Annual Meeting on November 2, 2012 in Bellevue, WA. Thanks to Purina Mills for providing travel schloarships for the equestrian award winners. As the Independent Adult Equestrian National Award Winner he receives scholarship reimbursement funds of up to $1500. You may recognize Cliff from his appearance on the "Walk On, Part 1" episode ...
A Sad Goodbye to Our Friend Cliff
With heavy hearts, we at Lucky Three Ranch say goodbye to our good friend, Cliff Uber. Cliff was an inspiration to everyone who knew him. His grace, courage and sense of humor will be missed. A selection of the official statement from Hearts and Horses is below: It is with an incredibly heavy heart that we announce the passing of our rider, volunteer, trainer and dear friend Cliff Uber. For ten years he has graced us all with his beautiful presence, infectious smile, sense of peace and patience and a ...
Mule Finds at Theodul Pass
Swiss Mule Magazine 2018-1 This article is written by Elke Stadler and from my friend, Josefine, editor of the Swiss Mule Bulletin in Switzerland! Since we share a love for Longears, we like to share each other’s respective mule historical experiences with our friends and fans. I hope you enjoy this article as much as I did! Thank you so much, Josefine! In the future, we look forward to more news from Switzerland in support of Longears: The Theodul Pass The name is derived from St. Theodul, the first ...
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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