| | |  | | | | | Dear Friends,
Over the years we have been joyfully building a legacy here at the Lucky Three Ranch with a lot of help from our friends and fans. It has never been a legacy of what I could produce by myself because in this world, a true legacy can only be built from the love and respect that people show each other and the things we all learn in the process. This has been a particularly trying year...lost a lot of really good friends!
An “Everlasting Legacy” is a continuum of prosperous acts of inheritance from the past and the present. A legacy is not something that can be aspired to, nor a goal to be achieved, but rather, a collection of notable achievements. They can be the positive results of what one has learned from the situations encountered in life from both positive and negative challenges. The most meaningful lessons are usually learned from negative challenges, although positive challenges can also influence what lessons are learned in the course of everyday life.
A TRUE legacy is one composed of deeds and thoughts throughout a life. Most often, a legacy is built over time and is the result of a mixture of both the negative and the positive contrived in a somewhat balanced fashion. This year of 2024 was more unusual. The reason for this is known only to God himself. The beginnings of each year can start with negative consequences that usually evolve into more positive than negative results in day to day experience. While waiting for the more illuminating and happy times of 2024, we were faced with more and more negative situations with the passing of time. What lessons were supposed to be derived from this incessant storm of events? I determined that the lessons to be learned in 2024 were of a more serious and difficult nature. Learning to cope with grief and heartbreak at the passing of those we love is always devastating. Having devout faith and realizing that the loss is only temporary can be of solace. Being faced with a dry spring and sparse hay crop was disconcerting, but the lesson in this was to accept Mother Nature, God’s decision, and have the grace to be grateful for what you get. Keeping busy with work gives fuel for the soul and will eventually yield the light at the end of the tunnel. Persevere and BELIEVE in order to live in the sunlight of THIS everlasting legacy! Thank you, God for your most generous gifts during each and every day! May we always appreciate and be grateful for the blessings that are ours now and forever!
To view our special greeting to all of YOU, click on this link:
Best wishes and Happy Trails,
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| | | | | ASK MEREDITH A QUESTION | | | Have a question for Meredith or want to give us feedback? | |
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| | | | | | | LTR Training Tip #36 | | Using the Elbow Pull During Leading Training
| | The Elbow Pull will stop your equine from raising his head to the point where he hollows his neck and back, and will keep him in reasonably correct posture. For more information on leading, check out the Training Mules and Donkeys DVD series at http://ltran.ch/tmddvd, or TMD Episode 4: Good Manners at http://ltran.ch/tmdvod, and download the Training Tip Tutorial at http://ltran.ch/ttt036
View many more training tips on our YouTube channel.
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| | |  | | TRAINING QUESTION | | Question: You talk about using the Elbow Pull to develop good posture in equines. What benefits does it have?
Answer: Ordinarily, the Elbow Pull is a self-correcting restraint that I use for lunging in the second year of training to enhance good posture; however, there are certain circumstances when it has value during leading training when used with a surcingle or lightweight saddle.
To adjust the Elbow Pull properly, loop it over the poll, then through the snaffle bit rings on each side, down between the front legs and snap it in place on the surcingle on the right side first. Then come back to the left side and ask your equine to raise his head as far as he can without hollowing his neck or back and then snap the other end in place on the surcingle or lightweight saddle.
 You should not hard-tie the Elbow Pull on a horse like you can on a mule or donkey as they may rear against it and go over backwards. Longears will respect a hard tie without much fuss. If using this on a horse, loop the ends around each other such that it will pull lose with any pressure and just snap the ends with plenty of slack to the surcingle or saddle D-Rings (exhibited in Equus Revisited).
I never use it on any equines under the age of two years as they cannot tolerate this kind of restraint until they have first finished their leading training both on the flat ground and over and through obstacles. They will then need an introduction to the snaffle bridle and surcingle or saddle that must be used to engage the Elbow Pull.
Often equines will raise their heads and hollow their neck and back when excited and playing around, spending a lot of time out of good posture. The Elbow Pull discourages the equine from doing this as it stops the raising of his head beyond what is reasonably correct posture. Horses and mules will do this a lot, so using the Elbow Pull will minimize this habitual behavior.
Until the equine is able to sustain good posture with every stride, the Elbow Pull gives him something to “lean on” when he is unable to sustain good posture except for a few strides at a time and before it becomes his habitual and unassisted way of moving. Think of it like the balance “barre” that ballet dancers use when they are first learning their different postures. The Elbow Pull has value during leading training review with an older animal that has never had the benefit of development of core strength in good posture. It has value in the rehabilitation of older animals with unsoundness as it will encourage good balance and stop any aggravation that is caused by any imbalances that the equine might have.
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TRAINING QUESTION CONT.
Using the Elbow Pull can prevent aggravation and deterioration of the soft tissues around the joints in an equine with side bones, or ring bone, because it prevents the equine from moving in his imbalanced fashion, compromising the correct way for the body to move. Moving incorrectly can cause pinching, rubbing and other such aggravations to soft tissues between the bones, ligaments and cartilage that exacerbates these problems. When in the Elbow Pull, execute leading exercises exactly the same way as you would without the Elbow Pull, doing straight lines in the beginning and then smooth arcs, straight lines and square halts through the Hourglass Pattern. You will carry your lead rope in the opposite hand and point in the direction of travel while you match your steps with his. Adding ground rails in the middle of the pattern will encourage him to be more precise with his foot placement to avoid tripping and stumbling. Your equine will feel better once he learns better posture and will be a much more willing partner during training and equine activities.
Visit my website at www.luckythreeranch.com.
You are welcome to contact me by email at meredith@luckythreeranch.com.
I will respond promptly!
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FROM OUR
READERS & VISITORS
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“Thank you for this thoroughly enjoyable (and really entertaining and informative) podcast. I'm still listening - laughing and learning as I go - picturing my mini-hinny john and mini-molly in all these antics :)”
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“Super fun video. Really wish I had this information in late 60s early 70s when I was showing hunter jumper classes in Southern CA. It was just a fun hobby with a marvelous horse. The 2 mules I have now have been the greatest adventure in my life just sorry I didn't switch sooner. Extraordinary animals. Working on our 11th year partnership.”
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“We both have a strong desire to learn more and more about mules and donkeys.
We see, feel, and hear in a deeper sense that allows us to get closer to our mules.
We took the time to cultivate our friendship and working relationship, to make our podcast a success and we know that our goals are the same.
We don't take our working relationship for granted.
We put God first in our lives to guide us and direct us into using our gifts to share with others.
We are grateful for what we do.
You wake up at 1:00 a.m. with podcast content ideas.
I sleep through... LOL knowing that you got this.
Thanks for being a true friend and an amazing gifted soul.”
❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️
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| | | | | Longears Limelight | |
Mules are being used to carry supplies into
Western North Carolina
The animals are being used to carry water, diapers and other much-needed essentials into communities isolated after Helene
Author: James Brierton (WCNC)
Published: 3:29 PM EDT October 1, 2024
Updated: 3:29 PM EDT October 1, 2024
Facebook
 WEAVERVILLE, N.C. — After Helene isolated western North Carolina communities with landslides, flash flooding and road damage good Samaritans have had to find creative ways to bring in much-needed supplies.
In addition to aircraft drops by military and civilian pilots, mule packers are using the animals to walk supplies into mountainous communities.
"Mules and equipment are loaded, and the first big batch of supplies has been purchased and loaded," the Mountain Mule Packer Ranch posted on Facebook Monday. "We have two fully loaded trucks and 20' stock trailers heading to WNC for assistance!"
 Later Monday, the ranchers posted pictures of the animals and supply cargo to social media.
"We will be setting up a staging area and beginning to assist this afternoon," they wrote on Monday, "and will be bringing up additional loads of supplies once mules are in place!"
Mountain Mule Packer Ranch is based out of Mount Ulla, which is located between Lake Norman and Salisbury in North Carolina. They have been using their Facebook page to announce when they will be at the Food Lion, located at 11745 Statesville Blvd. in Cleveland, NC, to collect donations.
Busy morning as we loaded lots of equipment, supplies, and MULES, to leave for WNC! Please know that we appreciate EVERY kind word, gesture of support, and all that are partnering with us to HELP all that we can! We will be setting up a staging area and beginning to assist this afternoon and will be bringing up additional loads of supplies once mules are in place!
#prayingforthoseaffectedbyhelene #mulepower #StrongerTogether #mountainmulepackers #militarymules
The Mountain Mule Packer Ranch partnered with the Cajun Navy, another group of civilian volunteers, to deliver insulin to a family on Monday, according to their Facebook posts.
The ranchers have setup their staging area in Montreat on Tuesday. They were planning to make trips into Black Mountain.
Mountain Mule Packer Ranch
October 1, 6:31 a.m.
 8:30am update 10/1/24 Mike and the mule team made it to their staging area in Montreat yesterday and have already been helpful to families in need! They will be doing all they can in Black Mountain today. Thankful to Five 11's Livestock Hauling for offering help in hauling mules so we could bring more supplies up! And appreciate being able to help support Cajun Navy 2016 on their efforts as well!
 The team here at the ranch will be shopping for more supplies today, to restock them tomorrow! We appreciate the huge outpouring of requests on how to get supplies to us. Because of the conditions in the mountains and the way the team will be moving around, that is hard to coordinate. I will bring a trailer to the Food Lion Shopping Center this afternoon at approximately 4pm if there is anyone in the area that wants to add to the supplies we are bringing! Please let me know if this is something you'd like to do, and we can be there between 4-5pm today to collect what you have!! God bless you all, and thank you for keeping prayers lifted up!!
Food Lion 11745 Statesville Blvd., Cleveland, NC
EQUUS MAGAZINE
Horse, mule groups aid NC storm victims
Much-needed supplies are being packed and airlifted into affected areas
October 3, 2024
⎯ Edited Press Release
NOTE: This is a developing story that will be updated periodically.
A force of nature called Helene made landfall as a deadly category 4 hurricane late on the evening of September 26, 2024, along the Florida Gulf Coast. One day later, as Helene weakened to a tropical storm, it unleashed damaging winds, unprecedented rainfall and torrential flooding across the southeast U.S., with Georgia and the Carolinas particularly hard hit. Donated hay/Sandhills Pony Club social media.
In some cases, entire inland communities have been wiped out in scenes described as “apocalyptic.” The degree of destruction is staggering, and the death toll continues to rise, with rescue operations in full swing and hundreds of people still believed missing at this writing.
In the wake of the devastation, groups such as the Mountain Mule Packer Ranch in Mount Ulla, North Carolina, and the Sandhills Pony Club of Pinebluff, North Carolina, have mobilized to help victims of Helene in that state’s western mountains, many of whom have been stranded for days without food, water, cell power, electricity and passable roads.
Their targets include not only the people in these locations, but their animals, as well.
Packing it in
In the case of the Mountain Mule Packer Ranch, a business that offers training in tactical mule packing, the objective is getting much-needed supplies in by pack mule strings to especially hard-to-reach mountain locations. The mules and supplies are being hauled to local staging areas from which they are being deployed. According to reports, each of the mules can carry 200 pounds of supplies, everything from food and water to diapers and medical needs like insulin.
In a recent Facebook post, the Mountain Mule Packer Ranch asked that anyone who wants to donate to their mission or who knows of “specific needs and areas” where mule-string help might be warranted please reach out to them at (910) 885-1402. “We can bring supplies or pack in what your group has acquired already,” the post reads.
There have also been reports of vital supplies being carried into the mountains by individuals on horseback.
Airlifting hay and animal feed
Meanwhile, members of the Sandhills Pony Club are using airlifts and ATVs to transport donated hay, feed and animal supplies into zones where horses, other livestock and pets have not been evacuated.
Recently added to the pony club’s wish list: Pet food in easily transportable sizes, roll-type temporary fencing, five-gallon jugs for water and small bags of high-performance dog food like Purina Pro-Plan and Diamond Performance (no chicken, please) for the hardworking Search and Rescue dogs.
The group is also asking for additional volunteers to help coordinate this massive relief effort. Call (615) 268-9145 or email sandhillsponyclub@gmail.com for more information.
A post on the club’s Facebook page directs those wishing to help to send donations by Venmo (@Sandhills_PonyClub) or mail a check to Sandhills Pony Club, 255 Cliffman Rd., Pinebluff, NC 28373.
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| | | | | | | FEATURED PRODUCTS
Meredith Hodgges, well-known trainer and author of an extensive library on mules and donkeys has produced an important supplement to her video training series with this detailed look at Athletic Conditioning. Equines will always conjure images of power, freedom and beauty. Although they thrive in the wild, man has interfered and put them into an artificial environment by domesticating them. They were not really designed structurally to be ridden, yet we ask them to perform stressful athletic activities with riders on their backs! To ensure good health through postural core strength development and to obtain the best possible relationship with your equines, you need to learn to care, maintain and train them in a complete and responsible way. This four-part series will identify crucial issues, pose in-depth solutions and introduce a team of experts that can help provide a happy and healthy lifestyle for you and your equine.
Our documentary titled ROCK AND ROLL: DIARY OF A RESCUE exhibits the ultimate challenge and application of Meredith’s Management and Training techniques. Rock and Roll were a worst-case scenario rescue and truly put this amazing program to the test with remarkable results!
Whether training for normal use, show, or rehabilitating compromised equines, Meredith’s approach will give your equine the athletic edge and take him to his ultimate level of performance! He will be grateful that you care so deeply and the bond of trust between you will deepen like never before!
AND DON'T FORGET to visit
www.JasperTheMule.com!
Jasper has a website all his own, full of entertainment,
educational Longears information and lots of fun!
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| | | | | | |   | | Bonnie’s Bit
| | It has been a wild and busy fall for ole BS. I have had a sweet bit of business for my illustration business, working on the story of "Kurly Sue", the lost dog some of my long-time friends rescued and wound up keeping.
Then, there was--in endless ideas--the "Fartoons" I was involved with for the guy in Spokane, WA. I thought he'd NEVER run out of ideas!!! But, he has and the first "volume" has been printed to harass the innocent public.
Now, it is time to work on Meredith's famous Christmas card.
All of this happened during a MOST gorgeous and colorful fall in the north Idaho mountains. It is always good, but this year it was SPECTACULAR.
Trust me, that IS over!! IT IS COLD AND WET AND GLOOMY. Just what I need to get serious and stay inside and work.
Survived Halloween, too. No little kids live on our road anymore.
So, your favourite Mule Artist is easy to find these days. Maybe that is a good thing for all concerned, huh?
Hope you had a wonderful fall at your place and we all are looking forward to Thanksgiving and time with our families and friends.
~Keep Your Traces Tight" Bonnie
“What a fantastic tribute to a wonderful and talented lady. This book deserves a place with all donkey and mule lovers. What an extraordinary and gorgeous book that you produced. I send my compliments to all that played a part in the publication of this extraordinary book. As Bonnie says, "Keep your traces tight!"
A longstanding member of the Cowboy Cartoonists Association, her wide variety of “mule art” can be viewed at numerous venues, mule and draft horse shows, Western arts and crafts shows, Western trade shows and on the internet at her website at www.Bonnieshields.com. Her talents include drawing, painting and sculpture. She has done a wide variety from ink drawings to acrylic painting to bronze sculpture, from commissioned work to originals, all revering the mule. She has also written a multitude of articles for such publications as The Brayer, a bimonthly publication put out by the American Donkey & Mule Society, Mules and More magazine, and the “Bishop Mule Days” program, and her yearly publication of the BS ‘ogram is always a welcome read!
In 2006, Bonnie was inducted into the Bishop Mule Days Artist’s Hall of Fame. Despite public demand, Bonnie always makes time to spend with her mules during the year exploring the beautiful scenery and experiencing the wonder that the mountains have to offer. Her mountain adventures were never dull and invariably contribute to her diversity of work and her infectious sense of humor!
And visit her website to find out more
about the Wild and Wonderful World of Bonnie Shields, Tennessee Mule Artist, Cowboy Cartoonist and True Artist!
Synopses of Bonnie Shields Books
“Mules Across The Great Wide Open”
by Jody Foss
Illustrated by Bonnie Shields
Jody’s wonderful outdoor experiences and character portraits catapult back to a time when travel itself taught us much about what we know of people and places. This is a trailblazing adventure told from the lazy “altitude” of a mule’s saddle. It’s a wonderful read for those who relish the pioneer perspective, and it will be a hit with readers of all ages. Happy Trails to the reader!” Anna Rees, Librarian“
“This book makes me want to sell my car, get a mule and hit the road. Jody Foss has written a gem – great reading for folks interested in life along the slowest of roads.”
Chuck Woodbury, Editor, Out West, America’s on the Road Newspaper
“Brown Sunshine Of Sawdust Valley”
by Marguerite Henry
Illustrated by Bonnie Shields
Horses are Molly Moore’s one true love, but when her father finally scrapes together some money, the best they can afford at an auction is an old, worn-out mare, which Molly will have to share with her father. The horse certainly won’t be enough to stop Freddy Westover’s teasing. After all he owns show horses. To Molly, though, Lady Sue is better than nothing – that is, until the mare produces a surprise that’s better than anything: a baby mule! Now Molly can care for the most beautiful creature she has ever seen, Brown Sunshine of Sawdust Valley. With the help of old Mr. Covington, “the Loner” from next door, Molly has plans to turn her young mule into a hard worker and a good friend. But Brown Sunshine just may have a few more surprises in store for Molly, Mr. Covington, and even mean old Freddy Westover.
Newbury Award winner Marguerite Henry, author of “Misty Of Chincoteague” and “King Of The Wind,” is back, this time with the story of a girl who finds exactly what she’s looking for in a form she never expected. Bonnie Shields, the official Tennessee Mule Artist, adds illustrations that bring further life to Ms. Henry’s characters.
“Horse Mule Grizzly Indian Buffalo Wrecks of the Frontier West”
by Mike Stamm
Illustrations by Bonnie Shields
Horse and mule fiascos, blowouts with buffalo, goofs with guns, fracases with grizzlies, wagon smack-ups, outrageous frontier screw-ups and rowdy pioneer humor, accounts from Jim Bridger, Joe Meek, Osborne Russell, Joe Walker, Jedediah Strong Smith, Black Beaver, George Custer, Kit Carson, General George Crook, Jim Baker, Sitting Bull, W.F. Cody, Zenas Leonard, Edwin Bryant, Yellow Wolf, and many, many others…
“…fascinating… WRECKS is a prime example of why history is more vivid and exciting than fiction.” -Robert Miller, DVM, author, Health problems of the Horse and Imprint Training of the Newborn Foal
“Unique hardly begins to describe this book…a constantly entertaining mixture of mayhem, humor, misadventure, gore, sheer guts, and painstaking scholarship.” -David Petzal, Field and Stream
“…some of the most gripping – and humorous - reading to be found.”
–Natalie Riehl, Rocky Mountain Rider
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| | | | | | | | |  | | Hearts & Horses has been changing lives for people with disabilities since 1997. We offer diverse programming to meet the needs of a huge cross-section of our community, including children and adults with physical and cognitive impairments, youth at-risk, individuals with Alzheimer's, and Veterans.
Your gift to Hearts & Horses ensures that we can continue to change the lives of those who need it most. Each year we serve more than 650 individuals and we never turn a participant away due to inability to pay, thanks to supporters like YOU!
To make as big an impact as possible, please consider making your gift a monthly gift! Even small gifts given monthly have a HUGE impact on our organization.
Thank you for helping keep our scholarships funded, our herd well taken care of, and our operations running long into the future.
Testimonials
"My daughter does not get to choose much in her life, but when she is on the horse she feels powerful....like she can accomplish ANYTHING!"
- Mother of a Hearts & Horses Therapeutic Riding participant
"For me this place is like a light at the end of the tunnel...and the light at the end of the tunnel has four legs."
- Matthew R., Changing Leads participant
"[Anthony] loves having riding to look forward to, and we get to talk about what he learned that day on the ride home. Anthony does not love reading but he has read every book in his school library that has to do with horses. He teaches me new facts daily. He is an amazing child and you are helping to bring that side out into the open." -Chris Christensen, grandmother of a Changing Leads participant
"This program has given me purpose in life again."
- Veteran participant in Hearts and Horses for Heroes, Master Sergeant, Air Force
"It's been wonderful seeing breakthroughs in our daughter's development.
We believe none of this would have been possible had it not been for her horse and the amazing team at Hearts and Horses!"
- Parent of a Hearts & Horses Therapeutic Riding participant
"Volunteering at Hearts and Horses has been the most
rewarding thing I have done in my life"
- Hearts & Horses volunteer
At Hearts & Horses Therapeutic Riding Center, our mission is to enhance physical, cognitive and emotional wellbeing through equine partnerships.
Our accomplishments are possible given our unwavering commitment to excellence, innovative therapeutic services, research collaborations, outstanding volunteer programs, and community partnerships. One of the cornerstones of our success has been tailoring our therapeutic activities to meet individual participant needs.
  
Leila Einhorn, Communications Manager
https://www.coloradogives.org/organization/Heartsandhorses
Hearts & Horses - 163 N. CR 29 - Loveland, CO 80537
Phone: (970) 663-4200 x 307 www.HeartsAndHorses.org COVID-19 Updates
Hearts & Horses is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and we are proud to be a PATH Intl. Premier Accredited Center
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