| | |  | | | | |
Dear Friends,
 My Grandmother told me one of the most important things I have ever learned, “You will be a sorry old woman if you don’t pay attention to your Good Posture and use Good Manners.” With life's experiences you will start to realize the true value of certain things in your life. That is when you come to know that you don’t know everything and how much more there is to learn. I was into going  out and partying and looking at Trail Riding just for fun. I would take beer with me and drink because I thought it was cool to be high while I was riding. All I had to do was sit on the animal! I eventually thought about how we take so many things for granted these days. Probably one of the most important things is Good Posture. We don’t really stop to smell the roses. We're always thinking about the next way we can have fun and anesthetize ourselves from any kind of pain. Now I think I never really knew what I was missing.
The best way to anesthetize yourself from any kind of pain is to do body building exercises and eat in a healthy way so you will feel good. If you do, you won’t always feel tired. You will feel energized, strong and the way you are feeling will always be transferred to your animal. Taking equine training in very small steps and using all the time you need to adequately build Core Strength in Good Posture can become one continuous string of happy events and joyous time with your animals!. Core Strength is a Good Postural Balance that can only become habitual if you routinely do things exactly the same way ALL THE TIME!
Then the time wasted with negative issues and complaining is minimized if not made entirely extinct. You have more time to do MORE things that you can be grateful for and appreciate! The “Sit Ins” of the late 1960’s and early 70’s took place PEACEABLY on college campuses, at parks and along wide sidewalks, but NEVER interfered with anyone going about their day. People paid attention to Good Manners as my Grandmother advised. These were truly PEACEFUL PROTESTS, with friendly people and NOT what you see these days. So, lets revive the practice of Good Posture and Good Manners and get out and VOTE FOR PEACE in the mid-term elections! It’s truly important even if Trump is not on the ballot! The choice is up to YOU! YOU DO MATTER!
God gave me the best birthday present ever! After waiting for the Building Permit for the museum building since last June, it finally came through and we are having a GREAT TIME in construction! We didn’t even waste any time while we were waiting. Instead of our contractors going on to other jobs and taking the chance of being put on hold for even longer, we conversed with them and figured out how to keep them busy here until we got the Permit for the big building. We had a 3-page legal pad list of projects that we planned for after the museum building and managed to reduce the list to three lines at the top of ONE PAGE! There is something to be said about staying engaged and recognizing the joy that working can add to your self esteem and morale! Your Longears can feel it, too!
Best wishes and Happy Trails,
Click images to view full size.
Join us in celebrating America’s 250th anniversary in 2026!
xTo keep the celebration going, look forward to new short-form content released every month throughout the year. Check on my website at www.luckythreeranch.com under the BLOG and TRAINING/INSPIRATIONAL VIDEOS.
Inspirational Video - Happy Birthday Meredith
Inspirational Video - American Legacy
Dive into our All-New Detailed Educational Mule Talk Podcasts, where we’ve revised our content to provide even more practical, actionable takeaways. Don't miss this chance to leverage our decades of expertise in training mules, donkeys, and horses.
TO FIND OUR
New Detailed Educational Mule Talk Podcasts
click on the link and look for the  red star highlighting the new podcast!
Listen weekly to Meredith on MULE TALK with Cinky K. Roberts. | | | |
| | |
|
| | |
| | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | | ASK MEREDITH A QUESTION | | | Have a question for Meredith or want to give us feedback? | |
| | |
| |
| | | | | | | LTR VIDEO | | Training Mules & Donkeys
| | "Training Mules & Donkeys" is the award-winning training series by Meredith Hodges for mules, donkeys and horses.
View many more training tips on our YouTube channel.
| | |
|
| | |
| |
| | |  | | TRAINING QUESTION | | Question: I miss your RFD-TV Shows! I used to watch them all the time. Are you going back on television again?
Answer: I was on RFD-TV for 11 years. I decided that it might be better to just post the television shows on my website at https://www.luckythreeranch.com/training-mules-and-donkeys-episodes/. We normally charge a small fee in the VIDEO ON DEMAND section, but you will be able to view them all for FREE going forward! There is still a nominal fee to view the EQUUS REVISITED VIDEO SERIES. In addition to the regular TV Shows, we put examples of our TRAINING TIPS in the Commercial Breaks. You can view the list of TRAINING TIPS on my website at www.luckythreeranch.com/TRAININGTRAINING TIPS. The corresponding TRAINING TIP TUTORIALS are offered in the STORE and are now FREE and PRINTABLE.
FREE VIEWING OF TRAINING MULES & DONKEYS RFD-TV SHOWS:
- Episode 01. Loafing Shed, Box Stall, Tie Stall, Grain Box, Water Source, Bedding, Manure Disposal, Dangerous Confinement, Hot wires, Vinyl and Pipe Fencing, Healthy Equine, Feed, Supplements, Trace Mineral Salt Block, Corn Oil, Routine Times, Water, Training and Exercise, Walking, Trotting, Turns, Vaccinations, Worming, Cleanliness, Pasture Rotation, Symptoms and Simple Treatments, First Aid Kit, Infectious Diseases, Immunization, Tools, Hoof Care, order of Grooming, Clipping, Bathing, Coats, Vacuuming. Available with English captions.
- Episode 02. Definition of a Mule, Training, Handling, Haltering, Tying, Leading. Available with English captions.
- Episode 03. General Concepts, Grooming, Lead Shank, Showing, Show Patterns, Halter vs. Showmanship, Sportsmanship. Available with English captions.
- Episode 04. Work Station, Preventing Bad Habits, Ground Training, Training Aids, Sacking Out, Saddling, Routine, Obstacles. Available with English captions.
- Episode 5. Working Space, Tack and Equipment, Lunging, Mad Jack Hanks, Elbow Pull, Lunge Line, Lunging in Open. Available with English captions.
- Episode 06. Different than Horses, Persuasion vs. Force, Round Pen, Arena, Flight or Freeze, Hourglass Pattern, Equipment, Maturity, Farrier, Mad Jack Hanks. Available with English captions.
- Episode 07. Work Station, Round Pen, Canter/Bucking, No Assistant, Hourglass, Follow the Leader. Available with English captions.
- Episode 08. Different than Horses, Persuasion vs. Force, Sequence, Equipment, Maturity, Techniques, Patterns, Canter, Refining Cues, USDF, Obstacle Course. Available with English captions.
- Episode 09. Equitation, Draw Reins, Green Equine, Patterns, Obstacles, Dressage Levels, On the Bit, Half Halt, Bending, Long Rein vs. Loose Rein. Available with English captions.
- Episode 10. Bending, Lateral, Riding Obstacles, Lead Changes, Trail, Showing. Available with English captions.
- Episode 11. Warm-up, Snaffle vs. Curb Bits, Dressage, Ground Lateral Exercises, Counter Canter, Simple Lead Changes. Available with English captions. - Episode 12. Reining and Western Riding, Equipment, Circles, Speed, Sliding Stops, Backing, Rollbacks, Spins, Flying Lead Changes, Patterns. Available with English captions.
- Episode 13. Tack, Clothing, Equitation, Farrier, Clipping, Body Positions, Types of Jumps, Making Standards, Ground Poles, Stretching and Warm-up. Available with English captions.
- Episode 14. Housing, Feed, Nutrition, Peak Condition, Routine Health Care, Grooming. Available with
- Episode 15. Differences of Longears, Understanding the Mule, Showmanship for Foals, Advanced Showmanship, Patterns. Available with English captions.
- Episode 16. Body Clipping, Braiding, Trailer Loading, At the Show, Bishop Mule Days. Available with English captions.
- Episode 17. Understanding the Donkey, Imprinting, Tying, Leading, Obstacles, Trailer Loading, Showmanship. Available with English captions.
- Episode 18. Measuring for Athletic Potential, Assessing Trainability, Donkey Jack, Behavior, Characteristics. Available with English captions.
- Episode 19. Round Pen Training, Moving Away from Pressure, Turns on Forehand and Haunches, Lunging, Mounting. Available with English captions.
- Episode 20. Riding vs. Driving, Make Sure You're Both Ready, Fitting Harness, Lunging in Harness, Ground Driving, Carts and Carriages. Available with English captions.
| |
| | | |  | |
TRAINING QUESTION cont.
- Episode 21. Sacking Out, Ground Driving with PVC Poles, Pulling a Drag, Travois, Driving a Team, Working in Harness, Pulling Competitions. Available with English captions.
- Episode 22. Hitching to the Cart, Ground Driving Cart, First Drive, Unhitching, Reinsmanship, Pleasure Driving, Obstacle Driving. Available with English captions.
- Episode 23. Riding with an Assistant, Verbal and Leg Cues, Ground Drive open, Ride Arena, Obstacle Course, Canter. Available with English captions.
- Episode 24. Canter Leads, Changing Leads Straight Line, Lateral Moves, Proper Frame, Lengthening, Jumping, Massage. Available with English captions.
- Episode 25. Equipment and Showing, Safety, Riding Positions, Types of Jumps, Gymnastics, Stadium Jumping, Coursework, At the Show. Available with English captions.
- Episode 26. Safety, Combined Training, Levels, Protective Gear, Rating Speed, Types of Jumps, Warm-up, Walking the Course. Available with English captions.
- Episode 28. Meredith Hodges and Richard Shrake discuss realistic ways of evaluating and selecting your equine to suit your purpose. Available with English captions.
- Episode 29. Meredith Hodges and Joanne Lang discuss the benefits of equine massage and how to get the best from your equine. With equine massage and stretch demonstration. Available with English captions.
- Episode 30. Subtle components of good training that will influence the success of your training program. Available with English captions.
- Episode 31. Importance of setting up the environment and considering safety rules in a way that promotes success. Available with English captions.
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
“I am awed, impressed and grateful for your reply – well, not only that you replied, but the timelines, the depth and thoroughness of it too! Thank you so much for helping us humans relate better in the world of mules.”
Linda Erwin Peoples
🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷
“Thank you for teaching so many people about mules, It’s so nice to learn from the ‘real deal’ as we call it.”
Becky Smith
🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷
“Hi Meredith, you emailed me about three weeks ago concerning my mule, Charlie. I asked about shots and trust. Well, to make a long story short, I have been doing exactly what you said and Charlie now canters up to me when I go to catch him. I’m so happy. Thanks so much. Our training is now so enjoyable we both look forward to it. Before this, I was at my wit’s end and we were both unhappy. It is so amazing how fast the turn around was. I still have to pinch myself to make sure it’s not just a happy dream but real. Thanks from your two biggest HAPPY fans!”
Michele, Hidden Oaks Farm
🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷
“Excellent program, very well thought out by a leader in the mule industry. All videos are excellent. Safety stressed throughout.”
Dr. Carl Lind, DVM
🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷
“Thanks! That is the most comprehensive response I’ve ever received. Thank you for you insights and referrals.”
Georgia Benois
🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷
“No one is more highly respected in this field and I know that her knowledge is a must for every person who owns and loves their mules. She has definitely raised the bar for the stand of excellence for equine educational books.”
Richard Shrake
🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷
| | |
|
| |
| | | | | | |  | | Bonnie’s Bit
| | Winter just keeps jerking us around this year. We get an inch or two of beautiful white snow and it all looks like a Christmas card here. THEN--who knows what?
Feeding two hungry mules shure does keep you moving, I'll say that. "Miss Mary" mule is finally finding her "place" in the puzzle and she is much easier to deal with. I am shure she was a "only-child" at her previous home, but I didn't SEE it that way with my sweet Iris getting aced out of her home property. Iris is NOT used to fighting for her space around here.
Anyway, the mule situation is now sweet and working as it should--and everyone is surviving the weather pretty well. LOTS of good hay is disappearing, tho.
I have been working on some book illustrations for a lady in North Carolina and her dogs. Seems, every time I think I am through with working for a living, I get talked into picking it up again. I have run OUT of several products for artists and I am now waiting on stuff to come by mail so I can get ON with things. NO REST for the WICKED ?
I will keep you informed of any progress--IF any.
~Stay Tuned Bonnie Shields
 “ 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!
GET YOUR COPY TODAY and don’t forget those family and friends that would enjoy this for CHRISTMAS! 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!
|
| | |
| |
| | | | | | | | |  | | 
January 27 marked the 29th incorporated anniversary of Hearts & Horses—nearly three decades of lives changed, barriers broken, and connections built thanks to an extraordinary herd. As our programs continue to grow to meet the needs of children and adults with disabilities, Veterans, seniors with dementia, and youth-at-risk, the demand for these steady, compassionate partners grows as well. The horses are the heart and soul of every lesson, every breakthrough, and every quiet moment of courage in the arena.
Hearts & Horses is currently seeking experienced, reliable horses to join the herd. Ideal partners are calm, sound, people-oriented horses—retired show mounts, trail veterans, ranch partners, lesson program saints, and all-around confidence builders—who can thrive in a lively, sensory-rich environment. Professional trainers and experienced staff ensure a smooth and supported transition, with purchase, lease, and donation options available.
To learn how a horse can step into this meaningful second career,
contact Lauren McClave
at equine@heartsandhorses.org or call (970) 663-4200.
Kathryn Yuma
Development & Communications Director
Phone: (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
Hearts & Horses is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and we are proud to be a PATH Intl. Premier Accredited Center
Follow us on Facebook
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! 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!
NEW
SUBMISSION TO OUR NEWSLETTER FROM
CINDY K. ROBERTS
 Producer of Mule Talk podcast, Cindy K. Roberts will soon release her 5th edition of "Training the Hard to Catch Mule - A Logical Approach on How to Connect With Your Mule." Cindy admits she is obsessed with making a connection with each mule she works with."Every mule I have worked with has taught me so much. They are wonderful teachers. I am so blessed that God has placed me in the mule world. Once, I questioned if indeed I was making a difference by working with mules. Two minutes later, the phone rang with a caller who was very distressed about her mule's behavior. That made my day to help this mule owner! I thank my lucky stars for all the friends I've made just by working with mules and, of course, for God placing me here.
|
| | |
| |
|
| |
|
