April 2007
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Dear Meredith,

I've always believed that a successful equine training program should include useful instruction, consistent communication and a good amount of fun.

I hope that this monthly, electronic newsletter will provide the same.

Our goal is to make Lucky Three Line a valuable source of information and news. We want to let you know what we're up to, help you with your training and maintenance concerns, and give you a chuckle or two along the way.

This is your newsletter. Questions and comments are welcome, and we encourage you to send along pictures and stories of your longears, so we can share them with others.

This newsletter is also for the kids! Each month we'll feature news about our popular Jasper the Mule children's series in Jasper's Corner. Watch for word of new books, animated specials, special appearances and more.

You can find more information at www.luckythreeranch.com and www.jasperthemule.com, and you can always reach us at info@luckythreeranch.com. And if you know someone who would like this newsletter, please let them know that they can subscribe by going to the web site and joining our electronic mailing list.

I hope you enjoy this inaugural issue of Lucky Three Line and the many more to come.

Best wishes,

Meredith

A Masterpiece Revealed

After countless hours of painstaking work by three outstanding artists, the latest addition to Meredith's Longears Sculpture Park at Lucky Three Ranch is complete. Meredith commissioned Cheyenne artist Robin Laws and Fort Collins-based artists John Taylor and Tim Joseph to sculpt a life-size bronze of her champion mule, Mae Bea C.T., pulling a meadowbrook cart with Meredith aboard. Robin, who's sculpture is internationally recognized, says that nothing like it has ever been done, and she considers the piece her finest work.

"Mae Bea" has already exhibited in Wickenburg, AZ, at the Desert Caballeros Museum exhibition "Cowgirl Up! Art from the Other Half of the West" and in Sedona, AZ. In July, the piece will go on display at a gallery in downtown Cheyenne during Cheyenne Frontier Days and in August, it will go to the famous Loveland Invitational Sculpture Show, before being permanently installed at the ranch.

Meredith's Longears Sculpture Park continues to grow and it's all to be shared. If you're planning a trip through northeastern Colorado, be sure to schedule a tour of the Loveland-based Lucky Three. You can do so by going to www.luckythreeranch.com and clicking on Ranch Tours.

Find out what else is new by visiting www.luckythreeranch.com!
Question: My donkey will lead really well most of the time, but sometimes he will twist his head, turn away from me and drag me to the point where I have to let go of the lead rope. How do I stop this behavior?

Showmanship training is not just for the showmanship class at a show. Perfecting your showmanship technique every time you have your equine on a lead line will command your equine's attention to detail, build his confidence in you and ensure that he is strengthening his muscles properly throughout his body at a fundamental level.

Just as a baby has to learn to crawl before he can walk, your equine needs to learn to walk at your shoulder in nice straight lines with his balance equally distributed over all four feet, so that when you ask for a halt or a turn he is able to do it easily, without a loss of balance. Be conscious of your own body position when practicing. When preparing to walk off, make sure you hold the lead in your left hand, face squarely forward, extend your right arm straight forward, give the command to "Walk on," and take a few steps forward. Make sure you walk straight forward in order to give your equine a lead to follow that is definite and not wobbly.

When you ask for a halt, stop with your weight balanced equally on both feet (still facing forward), hesitate for a second or two and turn to face your equine's shoulder. If his legs are already square, you can then give the crimped oats reward for stopping. If they are not, take a moment to square up the legs and then give the reward. Praise him for standing quietly for a few seconds to allow him to settle. You can then turn back to your forward position, put your right arm forward again, give the command to "Walk on," and proceed a few more steps before halting again. Each time he complies, you can add more steps before halting. When you practice the turn, he should always be turned away from you to the right, never into you while you are on the left side!

When executing the turns, ask your equine to take one step forward with the right front foot then cross the left front foot over the right to make the turn. Your own legs should execute the turn the same way, again giving your equine a good example to follow. Turns to the left should be schooled to develop the muscles equally on both sides. To do this, just change sides and execute the leading, halting and turning from the other side with the lead now held in your right hand with your left arm extended. Repeat the exact same exercise, but now from this position (though you will rarely have occasion to actually lead from this side). Be sure to dispense rewards only when he is settled and has done what you ask.

Paying attention to this kind of detail will greatly improve your animal's conditioning, his balance and his attention to your commands over time. Equines will learn EXACTLY what you teach and will be only as meticulous as you are. Lead your animal this way every time you have him on the lead to build good habits, facilitate good posture and to give him the few seconds before each move to prepare for what comes next. The result is a relaxed, compliant and confident companion!

Cali is a little girl crazy about mules and horses who lives in Fountain, Colorado. Sadly she hasn't been able to ride her mule Oreo for a year and half due to complications from leg lengthening surgery. Cali has had to have her foot amputated, and her prognosis is still uncertain as bills continue to mount. To find out how you can help this brave little girl, go to www.luckythree ranch.com and click on Mule Crossings to find the complete story and contact information. Thank you.

Every month, LuckyThreeLines will post all mule-related events we are aware of. If you know of an event that is not on our newsletter, please let us know.

April 13-21, 2007:
89'er Land Run Ride of Oklahoma, Bray, OK, (405) 279-2284

April 20-21, 2007:
8th Annual Salmon Select Mule Sale/Horse Sale, Salmon, ID, Fred Snook, (208) 756-2125

April 20-21, 2007:
Farm & Mule Days, Plains, GA, (770) 867-3179

April 20-22, 2007:
Midwest Horse Fair, Madison, WI, Mules & More Magazine, (573) 646-3934, mules@socket.net

April 20-23, 2007:
Cameron Mule Company Clinic, Cody, WY, Diamond CR Ranch, (307) 587-5913

April 21, 2007:
Governor's Cup Mule Show/Spring Festival, Harrington, DE, Lucky Leighton, (302) 945-0422

April 26-28, 2007:
Gulf Coast Horse Show/Music Festival (w/gaited classes) (850) 914-9030

April 27-28, 2007:
Panhandle Farm Mule Day, Reynolds, GA, (478) 847-4562

April 27-29, 2007:
Steve Edwards Symposiums at the Main Event, Red Deer, Alberta, Canada, (602) 999-MULE (6853)

April 27-29, 2007:
All American Mule and Donkey Congress, Henderson Arena Jackson Ohio NASMA approved A Show,NMDA approved. 3day event,high point awards,$250 walk-trot,gaited classes classes.Thur.night bean dinner & dance, open NASMA directors meeting,Fri night roping. Goin the fun,need not be a member to show. hendersonarena.com or nasma.us

April 27-29, 2007:
Tennessee Horse Council's 2nd Annual Trail Ride, Jamestown, TN, (800)-97-TRAIL

April 27-30, 2007:
Cameron Mule Company Clinic, Idaho Falls, ID, Blake Ford, (208) 313-4969

April 28, 2007:
Show Me Miniature Donkey Fun & Schooling Show, Hartville, MO The Missouri Miniature Donkey Breeders ASSociation's 3rd Annual Fun Show is in the works! We will have up to 20 classes for Miniature Donkeys! Come join the fun! Check our web site for more information, showbill and entry forms! www.mmdba.com
A Guide to Raising and Showing Mules

And now save $10 on this terrific book, only $39.95.

Whether you've selected a mule or donkey as a 4-H project, recently purchased one or simply want to know more about these wonderful animals, A Guide to Raising and Showing Mules is the perfect resource. Ideal for beginners of all ages, this hardbound book is packed with valuable information on training techniques based on behavior modification, proper care and maintenance, and instruction for showing your animal in a variety of events. An ideal complement to the Training Mules and Donkeys series.

"Meredith's books and training courses are highly recommended. We constantly suggest them to owners new and old. No mule owner should be without these in his or her library or tack room." Leah Patton, Registrar, ADMS
Now, in its seventh year of broadcasting, RFD-TV proudly serves the needs and interests of rural America, horse lovers, farmers and ranchers with traditional, family-oriented television programming. RFD-TV is distributed on DIRECTV, DISH Network, Mediacom and NCTC cable systems in all 50 states, serving over 28 million U.S. homes, with another 19 million homes in Brazil now enjoying selected RFD-TV including Training Mules and Donkeys through Terraviva.

Don't Get RFD-TV? Call your Cable Company. If you're a cable customer and your cable company doesn't offer this super station, call 'em up and ask for it. Cable companies across the country are adding RFD-TV to their station menus every day. If you have any problems, e-mail info@RFD- TV.com.

Note: RFD-TV has changed channels on Dish Network from Channel 9409 to Channel 231. Direct TV is still the same at Channel 379.
Hi, my name is Jasper the Mule. I'm just a kid, and I've got plenty to learn, but I've also got terrific friends like Kylie and Moxie to help me out. Join me and everyone for my latest adventure in Jasper: A Fabulous Fourth. And don't forget to check out the cool new games on my website Jasperthemule.com.
Does your mule or donkey do the craziest thing? We want to know. Send us a story and a photo of your long-eared character, and we'll share it with our readers. Got video? Even better. Send it along, too (no returns) and maybe you and your equine will be on TV.

Send submissions to newsletter@luckythreeranch.com!
Since coming home from the Cowboy Christmas show in Las Vegas, I've been indulging myself in "doing my thing" at the drawing board. I've painted several cartoon pieces, a large pencil and acrylic portrait of four draft horses and four pencil renderings of mules for new note cards. Also, I have drawn up a "Countdown to Bishop" cartoon calender for all those Bishop enthusiasts. It will be available at the Bishop show in May of this year. Currently, I'm illustrating a children's story about two mini-mules that have been rescued by an outfit in Maryland called Horsenet. They use the sales of the book to fund their rescue operations. It is the second book I have helped them with, the first being about a mule, "Where's Emma". I consider it an honor to be asked by Horsenet to help with their horse-mule and donkey rescues like this. It is a very small pay-back for the joy my own mules and donkeys have given me.

We still have a lot of snow at my place and no hair is slipping off ole Porter, so spring is not here yet, but we keep hoping and looking for signs. In the meantime, throw out some more hay and turn up the heat and get back to the drawing board.

Don't forget, Jasper: A Fabulous Fourth is now on sale! Visit www.jasperthe mule.com.


Lucky Three Ranch

phone: 800.816.7566