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<<First Name>>, your Lucky Three Ranch news for March 2025 has arrived!
Jasper The Mule Products Tours LTR Blog Training
Message From

Just before Halloween, I was wondering if we were going to have anything to celebrate for Christmas.  My mules always have a bright and sunny outlook on life, so they assured me that if I just kept my nose to the grindstone, everything would work out just fine.  Sadie had been working at Hearts and Horses Therapeutic Riding Center for 17 years and just retired a little over a year ago. Being an alpha female, she was having some difficulty adjusting to all the alphas in the herd to which she was re-introduced. Carrying a perpetual “crabby face,” she kicked and bit the others frequently only to be yelled at by all of us when she did. We like to look for the silver linings and stay as happy as we can most of the time...Sadie was in re-training!

 

We decided to expedite the celebration of Jesus’ birthday and begin decorating for it on Halloween. The guys managed to find some new decorations to add...like they do every year...and we began to feel more happy and energized for the upcoming Christmas Party! A fan wrote to me and wanted me to send her a picture of a mule hoof print for a book she was writing. So, I went out to the Dressage arena that opened into the turnout field and began to look for a nice clear hoof print in the mud. Sadie saw me and came over to see what I was doing. Pretty soon, all nine mules were bunched up around me looking at the ground to see what I was looking for. We found several good hoof prints and I took my pictures. Then we all walked back to the gate together. I asked the mules to all line up for their reward for good behavior and they lined up like good little soldiers (Well, maybe not so “little!”). I grabbed my bucket of oats and started going down the line, allowing each mule his fill of oats before moving to the next. When I reached the middle of the line, there was Sadie! She was standing quietly, with ears perked, bright eyes and a lovely attitude! We opted to take advantage of the beautiful weather and resumed our winter Liberty Obstacle Training.

On December 7th, we had our annual LTR Christmas Party and it was lots of fun as usual. With the election of our new President, we were all in good moods and ready to party. Cindy K. Roberts flew in from Missouri for the festivities. After a very dark year, the sun finally broke through and our spirits were lifted! There are always things to be learned through the challenges we face. Mules have been maligned and rebuffed since the beginning of time, but they showed me the value of service, perseverance and hope. My Grandmother used to say, “There is nothing that moves people more than a big smile and a warm heart!” This attitude transcends race, color, religion and creed when we do not judge, but instead enjoy the similarities among us. After all, we are all blessed to be Americans! Each day, I learn even more from my mules as we age together. They have shown me the way to true joy and peace...when I am willing to listen to them! I hope you all enjoy your Longears and experience those wonderful moments they bring as much as I do!

                              Best wishes and Happy Trails,

                            
​Click images to view full size.




LISTEN TO MEREDITH ON MULE TALK with Cindy K. Roberts
Just go to www.everycowgirlsdream.com and click on
MULE TALK PODCAST/MEREDITH HODGES.

   
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LTR Training Tip #121

Training for Rehabilitation 

Leading exercises for core strength in good equine posture are essential to the health and welfare of the abused equine.

View many more training tips on our YouTube channel.

WATCH
ROCK & ROLL: DIARY OF A RESCUE
MOVIE TRAILER
Rock and Roll: Diary of a Rescue documents the progress of victories and set-backs that the Belgian Draft Mule Team encountered after being rescued. This is a poignant story of how Rock gallantly gave his all and how his teammate, Roll, slowly emerged from his shell and learned to trust us and—even more importantly—himself. Rock and Roll touched everyone’s soul by proving they were ready, willing and able to give everything they could, straight from their enormous hearts...a touching story you won’t want to miss! 

WATCH THE FULL MOVIE
TRAINING QUESTION

Question: My mule is beginning to show his age and lose weight. No matter how much hay he eats or how much time he spends on pasture, he is still dropping weight and looks too thin. He doesn’t have much energy. I heard that Longears live longer than horses, but he seems to be going downhill a lot earlier than expected. Is there anything I can do to help him regain some of his previous energy and body condition?
 

Answer: ​Good posture is not something that we are born with. It is something that must be learned and practiced repetitiously so that it becomes habitual for it to really contribute to your overall health. Good posture begins at the core, “the innermost, essential part of anything.” The core of an equine is at the center of balance in the torso. When their weight is shifted too much onto the front end, their ability to carry a rider efficiently and correctly is compromised. To achieve correct energy flow and efficient movement, the animal’s internal supportive structures need to be conditioned in a symmetrical way around the skeletal frame.
The first issue I noticed was with leading our animals. When we walk, our hand moves ever so slightly from left to right as we walk; we inadvertently move the equine’s head back and forth. They balance with their head and neck. Thus, we are forcing them off balance with every step that we take. Since movement builds muscle, they are being asymmetrically conditioned internally and externally with every step we take together.

During the time you do the core strength leading exercises in the Hourglass Pattern (see my TRAINING TIPS under TRAINING on my website at www.luckythreeranch.com ), you should NOT ride the animal as this will inhibit the success of these preliminary exercises. For the best results, lessons need to be routine (a minimum of 20 minutes once a week and maximum of every other day), done in good posture from the time you take your equine from the pen until the time you put him away. Hold the lead rope in your LEFT hand, keeping slack in the lead rope. Keep his head at your shoulder, match your steps with his front legs, point in the direction of travel with your right hand and look where you are going. Carry his reward of oats in a fanny pack around your waist; he’s not likely to bolt if he knows his reward is right there in the fanny pack.

Plan to move in straight lines and do gradual turns that encourage him to stay erect and bend through his rib cage, keeping an even distribution of weight through all four feet. Square him up with equal weight over all four feet EVERY TIME you stop and reward him with oats from your fanny pack. Then wait patiently for him to finish chewing. We are building NEW habits in the equine’s way of moving and the only way that can change is through routine, consistency in the routine and correctness in the execution of the exercises. Since this requires that you be in good posture as well, you will also reap the benefits from this regimen.
 
When the body is in good posture, all internal organs can function properly and the skeletal frame will be supported correctly throughout his entire body. This will greatly minimize joint problems, arthritis and other anomalies that come from asymmetrical development and compromises in the body. The time spent together during leading training and going forward, slowly builds a good solid relationship with your equine and fosters his confidence and trust in you. He will know it is you who actually helps him to feel physically much better than he ever has.
 
Core muscle strength and balance must be done through correct leading exercises on flat ground. Coordination can be added to his overall carriage with the addition of negotiating obstacles on the lead rope done the same way. Once familiar with the obstacles, you will need to break them down into very small segments where the equine is asked to randomly halt squarely every couple of steps through the obstacle. You can tell when you have successfully achieved core strength in good balance, when your equine will perform accurately with the lead rope slung over his neck. He will stay at your shoulder, respond to hand signals and body language only and does what is expected perfectly. A carefully planned routine coupled with an appropriate feeding and exercise program is critical to your equine’s healthy development, especially as he ages. A healthy program is not to be used only for rehabilitation. It should
​be used for routine ideal maintenance.
If you email me at meredith@luckythreeranch.com,
I would be happy to send you all the details you would need to know for balanced, postural core strength development. It will provide renewed energy and enthusiasm, reduce the incidence of arthritis and other related issues, and promote longevity.


Visit my website at www.luckythreeranch.com. 
You are welcome to contact me by email at  meredith@luckythreeranch.com.
 I will respond promptly!

Click images to view full size.

FROM OUR
READERS & VISITORS
 

ROCK & ROLL: DIARY OF A RESCUE: I just finished your amazing DVD and am writing this with tears and a snotty nose 🤗. What a fantastic job you all did and what a great story! It’s fantastic what a great life both of those giant mules had with you and it seems like they knew it. It’s sad Rock had such a short time to enjoy the good life but I hope the things that you guys learned during his life and that folks can learn from his skeleton and his story will be of great help to future animals and their caregivers and handlers. The way you told the story, all the good information and great video made for a very entertaining and educational show. You and your whole crew should be VERY proud of an excellent job on the script, video, interviews and music!”


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“I am a local children's book author.....I am sooo impressed with what you have done with Jasper. you have done with Jasper. The website is fabulous and your characters are too. I think that Jasper should be on TV for kids to see on a regular basis. Learning about caring for Mules and horses is so important. You have done such a wonderful job. I will tell my friends who have small kids to get the books and DVDs. Thank you for caring about animals.”


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“I just watched, ROCK AND ROLL: DIARY OF A RESCUE, and i want you to know how moved and inspired I was by your efforts, those of your staff and equid health care team and, especially, by those 2 amazing mules -- Rock & Roll. Thank you for providing them with such compassionate care and so much love! Thank you for producing this doc to teach others about mule rescue and welfare. It truly does take a village. Lucky Three Ranch is one special village in a million.
Bless you for your strength, determination and tenacity.
Run free, Rock & Roll!”

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“I LOVE your videos and pod cast talks and articles in Mule & More and Western Mule. You're a wealth of information on mules and as a fairly new muler (3 yrs) I appreciate you sharing. I've trail ridden horses for 40 yrs, by no means an accomplished rider but I my best for my equines.


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“How does it feel to be the greatest mule trainer in the world sure there's some good mule skinners but you mam are the best?”

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“I’ve been a horse person all of my life. It was quite by accident that I ended up with a mule because she was kid-safe. However. Lol. I treated her like a horse. Needless to say that did not go well. Finally, as a last-ditch effort before selling her, I googled “How to train a mule.” That search led me to your website where I printed off every article I could find. Then I read those pages every day BEFORE I went out to work with Ethel. It was literally like learning a brand new language. And the transformation in my relationship with Ethel was amazing.
She gifted my son with many years of companionship and joy.”

 

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“What a fun time and how awesome Meredith Hodges opened up her ranch for us to see. What an incredible woman and what a special place! To a great 2024 for all!” 


 

 

FROM OUR READERS EXTRA: 
 DR. ROBERT M. MILLER, DVM

On November 16, 2024, Dr. Robert M Miller, DVM, renown large and exotic animal veterinarian and equine behaviorist, writer, speaker, founder of the award-winning Conejo Valley Veterinary Clinic, and beloved husband and father, passed away peacefully at his Thousand Oaks, California Quarter Horse and mule ranch, in the company of his family.

One of the world's foremost authorities on equine behavior, Dr. Miller is best-known for revolutionizing the concept of imprint training and early learning as it pertains to newborn foals and for being an early adopter of relationship-based horsemanship, a movement that involves handling, training, and riding equines using humane, scientifically proven, non-coercive methods. Dr. Miller was also a prolific veterinary and cowboy cartoonist and humorist who went by the moniker, "RMM." His sense of humor was legendary, and his endless capacity for jokes and storytelling endeared him to many.
Born on Staten Island, New York, on March 4, 1927, Dr. Miller's earliest exposure to horses came as a teenager, during summers spent working on farms and dairies in the Northeast. Following two years of military service in post-occupation Germany, he relocated to Tucson, Arizona, where his family was then residing, and used his GI Bill to attend the University of Arizona, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Husbandry. During summer breaks, he worked variously as a wrangler, trail guide, packer, and rodeo hand and competitor.

Dr. Miller received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Colorado State University (then Colorado A & M) in 1956, the same year he met his future wife Debby, a fellow student and champion barrel racer for the university team. In 1957, Dr. Miller and Debby moved to Thousand Oaks, California, and founded the Conejo Valley Veterinary Clinic, the region's first animal hospital. The clinic received the American Veterinary Hospital Association's "Animal Hospital of the Year" award in 1969, and Dr. Miller was also instrumental in helping to advance the practice of veterinary medicine on all manner of domestic and exotic species; some of his no- table clients included Circus Vargas, Jungleland, and Pacific Ocean Park. By the time Dr. Miller retired in 1987 to become a full-time educator, the clinic was one of the nation's largest mixed practices.
 
By the 1980s, Dr. Miller was avidly following in the footsteps of relationship-based horsemanship founders and mentors Bill and Tom Dorrance; while often erroneously referred to as "horse whispering," this movement is based upon understanding innate equine behaviors and instincts to better communicate with and train them.

This "revolution in horsemanship" became Dr. Miller's passion, along with teaching the principles of imprint training, which led to his receiving dozens of awards for his achievements in both veterinary medicine and equine behavior, among them the prestigious Bustad Companion Animal Veterinarian of the Year Award, an induction into the Western States Horse Expo's Hall of Fame, and the Western Horseman Award. For the remainder of his life, Dr. Miller dedicated himself to making the world a better place for equines, a species that has served humankind for thousands of years.

During his 50-year-plus career, Dr. Miller authored 23 books on equine health and behavior, a memoir, Most of My Patients are Animals (now retitled, "Yes, We Treat Aardvarks.") and contributed to numerous veterinary and equine publications. He also served on the editorial staff of Veterinary Medicine and was the magazine's long running "Mind Over Miller" columnist. As a practitioner and clinician, Dr. Miller visited six continents conducting horsemanship clinics and teaching imprint training, which has been implemented in stables, breeding programs, zoos, wildlife sanctuaries, and game pre- serves worldwide. He continued to travel, write, and lecture into his mid-90s.

In his free time, Dr. Miller was an avid skier, rider, reader, and outdoor recreationalist. A man of brilliant intellect, great compassion, wide-ranging interests, and insatiable curiosity, he loved and lived life to the fullest up until his passing; he died holding the reins from his favorite mule, Scooter. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Debby, son Mark, daughter Laurel, and dog Oliver.
 
His family have established two academic scholarships in his honor to ensure his legacy continues; in lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Dr. Robert M Miller, DVM Academic Memorial Scholarship for the Natural Horsemanship program at the University of Montana Western, gifts can be made to the UMW Foundation, 710 S Atlantic St. Dillon, MT 59725, or a gift in his memory for a veterinary student specializing in Equine Science can be made to CSU Foundation, PO Box 1870, Fort Collins, CO 80522. A formal scholarship at CSU will be established in 2025.
Editor's Note: Ben and Neta Tennison always enjoyed visiting with Dr. Miller, whether on the phone or at many of the equine/mule events across America. Dr. Miller unselfishly contributed many helpful, knowledgeable, lifechanging articles to Western Mule Magazine and our readers over the past thirty years.
 
We always made it a point to get together with Dr. Miller and Debby at Bishop Mule Days the many years we were there. I don't recall leaving Bishop without some new to me, information about mules he had shared with me.
 
Dr. Miller's dedication to the equine industry that he gave so willingly is legendary. Dr. Robert Miller made the world a better place for equine, and without question, sharing his experiences and knowledge about these mules and horses that he and we love, Dr. Miller made the world a better place for those of us who handle them. He will be greatly missed  here at Western Mule Magazine.
 

WESTERN MULE MAGAZINE
DECEMBER 2024 • 17

Longears Limelight

MULE CROSSING: Neonatal Isoerythrolysis
By Meredith Hodges

 “Neonatal Isoerythrolysis (N.I.) is a condition in which the mare creates antibodies against the foal’s red blood cells, and then passes these antibodies to the foal via the colostrum. Once the foal absorbs these antibodies, they result in lysis* of the foal’s red blood cells within 24 to 36 hours after birth. This red blood cell destruction is widespread throughout the foal’s body and can lead to life-threatening anemia and/or jaundice. (This is similar to the human Rhesus, or Rh, factor, where a woman who is Rh-negative gives birth to her second or subsequent child that is Rh-positive, resulting in destruction of the newborn’s red blood cells.)”1

All legitimate mule breeders should be aware of this condition, especially because it can occur more often when breeding donkey jacks to mares than it does when breeding stallions to mares within the same species. If the hybrid foal’s blood type is the same as its mother’s, then there is no problem. However, when the jack and the mare have different blood types, and the foal possesses the jack’s blood type, there is potential for N.I. to occur.  
 
On the surface of the mare’s red cells are antigens that will stimulate the production of antibodies against incompatible red blood cells (R.B.C.s). There are basically two ways that these R.B.C.s can get into her system:

  

  1. If the foal’s R.B.C.s enter the mare’s circulation via the placenta during​ pregnancy or during delivery. 
  2. If the mare obtains these incompatible cells during a blood transfusion.  

 
If neither of these conditions occurs, the mare can carry, birth and nurse her foal with no problem. However, if the incompatible red cells do somehow get into her system, she will begin making antibodies against those cells that, in turn, will be passed into the foal’s system via the mare’s first milk, or colostrum.
 
“Signs of neonatal isoerythrolysis depend upon the rate and severity of red blood cell destruction. Affected foals are born healthy, and then typically develop signs within 24 to 36 hours. In severe cases, the signs of N.I. may be evident within 12 to 14 hours, whereas in mild cases, signs may not be present until three or four days of age. N.I. foals will develop progressive anemia, thus leading to depression, anorexia, collapse and death. These foals may also develop pale mucous membranes that later become yellow or jaundiced.”

The mare’s blood can be tested ahead of time to determine if she has a different blood type than the jack (or stallion), but a positive test result does not necessarily mean that N.I. will automatically occur, only that there is the possibility for occurrence. Blood samples from the mare and jack should be taken two to four weeks before the mare is due to foal to determine if she is producing antibodies against the foal’s red blood cells. If the blood test is positive, then precautions must be taken to save the foal at birth by making sure it is prevented from nursing its dam for the first 24 to 36 hours. The foal should be muzzled and bottle-fed colostrum from a mare that has not produced these same antibodies, and therefore is compatible with the foal. To be absolutely safe, the colostrum should be obtained and tested from a mare that has never had a mule foal.

​For the best results in building the foal’s immune system, this “replacement” colostrum should be collected within the first six hours after birth. The mare being used does not need to be the same blood type as the foal, but her blood must not contain antibodies to the foal’s R.B.C.s. The quality of the colostrum will determine the amount fed to the foal. Immediately after birth, the foal should be given two to three feedings of colostrum within the first two hours, and then be given milk (for energy) for the first 24 to 36 hours after that. Goat’s milk is best for this purpose. After 24 to 36 hours, the foal should be able to be safely returned to its dam’s milk. If N.I. is present but is caught early enough, the foal can be transfused with blood and there is a chance that it may live, but this transfusion procedure has inherent risks and there are no guarantees of success.  


Out of concern for future mule offspring, the Lucky Three Ranch—with the assistance of our veterinarian, Kent M. Knebel, D.V.M.; Colorado State University researcher, Josie Traub-Dargatz, D.V.M., M.S.; and Louisiana State University researcher, Jill McClure, D.V.M., M.S.—began thorough testing of Lucky Three Ranch stock in the early nineties, with particular attention paid to our breeding jack, Little Jack Horner. It was discovered by Dr. McClure that Little Jack Horner’s R.B.C.s were resulting in unidentifiable antibodies in many of the horse mares that carried his foals. The mares that were sampled had antibodies present, but Dr. McClure was unable to “type” the antibodies found in the mares.

The next step was to immunize some research horses at L.S.U. using Little Jack Horner’s R.B.C.s. If they made antibodies, Dr. McClure would have a more readily available source of antibodies for further research. She also took samples from some burros from another L.S.U. project and discovered that they, too, had the same R.B.C. factor that occurred in Little Jack Horner, but the antibodies produced in the mares were still unidentified. There was already quite a bit of medical and scientific data on N.I. that could help in the prevention of this potentially fatal condition. However, this discovery of new antibodies stimulated by the jack and produced by the mare proved that there was still a lot more that needed to be learned. All of Little Jack Horner’s tests showed him to be of a compatible blood type to the mares if he was a stallion of the same species, and yet these unknown antibodies were being produced. Perhaps future research will hold the answer to this puzzle. 

A debt of gratitude is owed to veterinarians like Dr. Kent Knebel, who take time out of their busy schedules to collect samples for this research, and to dedicated researchers like Dr. Josie Traub-Dargatz and Dr. Jill McClure, who continue with this important research that benefits our mule industry and its future generations. Their ongoing research will continue to have a significant impact on mule breeding programs, not just here in the United States, but all over the world.

Research on N.I. has been done over the years on Thoroughbred horses, and statistics indicate that 20 percent have incompatibilities between dam and sire, yet only one percent of foals develop N.I. The incidence in mule breeding suggests that the rate is higher. The University of California at Davis has a laboratory set up to do this initial N.I. testing on mares. Consult with your veterinarian about contacting any facilities for information on how to collect and ship samples for N.I. testing, and for resources that can help in the process. 

To learn more about Meredith Hodges and her comprehensive all-breed equine
​training program, visit LuckyThreeRanch.com or call 1-800-816-7566.
Check out her children’s website at JasperTheMule.com.
Also, find Meredith on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.

 
© 1990, 2016, 2018, 2023, 2024 Lucky Three Ranch, Inc.  All Rights Reserved.

Click images to view full size.

​           

Click here to listen to  
Dr. Josie Traub-DargatzProfessor Emeritus of Internal Medicine (retired)
about NEONATAL ISOERYTHROLISIS.


Click here to listen to 
Meredith Hodges about Establishing Management Practices for N.I.
 
Click here to read LTR BLOG about Establishing Management Practices for N.I.

WHAT'S NEW
We have decided to break ground on our
Loveland Longears Museum & Sculpture Park official building. I
t will take two years or more to complete, and we will not be able to have tours during the construction, but we are certainly excited about this new project!

 
 
 
🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸 MARCH 🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸


50% off
TRAINING MULES AND DONKEYS (BOOK)

50% off 
JASPER: THE STORY OF A MULE (BOOK)



🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸 APRIL 🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸
🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸  MAY 🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸 
 
Free VOD viewing of
FEATURED PRODUCTS


 
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!




Walk On: Exploring Therapeutic Riding

This two-part documentary offers a comprehensive look at the profound,
life-changing benefits of Therapeutic Riding programs for adults and children with disabilities and special needs. These programs explore the special bond that develops between horses and mules and their challenged riders and how Hippotherapy is changing lives around the world for the better. Includes featured interview with William Shatner.  Approximately 53 minutes including the Special Features.

 
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!
 


 
 
Bonnie’s Bit
 

I am getting deep into the book illustrations for the story about the flying mule.  Gonna be a large number of color illustrations involved.  Gonna earn my beans on this project!  Should keep me outta trouble clean into summer.  Gotta say, I am looking forward to the finished project and the smiles this story will bring to mule fans, young or not.

So, for shure, I am going to be spending my time indoors with a paint brush in my hands pretty much into late spring at least.  Keep me outta trouble?  
 
But, FIRST I must fix my weather-mangled electric fence as soon as possible.  Only because these two critters get along so well, they are still staying on their proper sides - so far.
 
The renters have a pretty big black "walker" named "Scout" that lives on her side..  I must confess, I have her on my "treat" list as she is a fine horse and the renters don't mess with her hardly at all.  She likes any attention offered.
 
Otherwise, all the dogs (3) on the place have wintered well so far, but the vet bills have had their way with it.  Older dogs--like older people--have their arthritis problems.  But, those pills work and my Airdale will be 11 years old in March.  She ia an "Ourang" Airdale and weights  a hair over 100 lbs but is quite active yet.  The three dogs get early morning hikes in the woods due to my daughter and my old, 4-wheel drive van, "Goldie".
 
So, in case it is important, you know where to find me--for months this spring.  Hope we all have a great spring to enjoy, and a sweet mule to love on. 

                                                                                        ~Keep those traces tight.  
                                                                                                              Bonnie


    ​

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! Purchase this book at www.luckythreeranchstore.com or at www.bonnieshields.com and enhance YOUR equine library!

Purchase this book at 
www.luckythreeranchstore.com 
or at 
www.bonnieshields.com 
and enhance YOUR equine library!


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!
 
 

Changing Lives Through the Power of Equines

At Hearts & Horses, transformation happens every day. Through equine-assisted services, they empower children and adults with disabilities, Veterans, youth-at-risk, and individuals living with dementia to build confidence, find healing, and connect with a supportive community.

Their latest Annual Report highlights the incredible impact of their programs—stories of resilience, growth, and lives changed through the partnership between humans and equines. By supporting Hearts & Horses, you help them continue to provide these life-changing experiences to those who need them most.

We invite you to explore the report and see how your support makes a difference. Read the full Hearts & Horses FY 23/24 Annual Report [https://heartsandhorses.org/reports/] and join us in creating brighter futures for these participants and their families.

Watch Hearts & Horses virtual tour!
If you haven't been out to see their center before, then this is the second-best thing!
Watch now to explore all of the state-of-the-art facilities designed to heal minds, bodies, and spirits at their 23-acre ranch in Loveland.

Kathryn Yuma
Development & Communications Director
Horses • Healing • HopePhone: (970) 663-4200  ext. 307
Email: kathryn@heartsandhorses.org
Web: www.heartsandhorses.org
Address: 163 N. CR 29 • Loveland, CO 80537

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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Give the Gift of Joy and Healing
Through an incredible depth and breadth of programming, Hearts & Horses impacts every life we touch. Support the wonderful effects of therapeutic riding for individuals by supporting Hearts & Horses today!

Watch Anytime, With Video On Demand.
Did you know you can watch Meredith's award-winning training anytime, on all your devices? Watch all the episodes of Training Mules and Donkeys 
plus Give Your Equine the Athletic Edge.

More in the mood for some entertainment? Catch Those Magnificent Mules or let the kids go have an adventure with Jasper and his friends.
All six Jasper the Mule specials are available with special features.

Three day rentals and all videos have closed captions!
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