September 2008
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Dear Friends

Dear Friends:

Every year I throw a big Christmas party at my ranch. It's a chance to dress up and celebrate the season with good food, good friends and good fun. It's also an opportunity to acknowledge the people in my life who have helped me achieve my dreams.

Training mules and donkeys for more than 30 years has taught me the power of gratitude. I'm grateful for the opportunity to do what I love and to share what I've learned with others in ways unavailable to most. I'm grateful for everything my animals have done for me-the way they've worked, the way they've performed and the way they've helped shape who I am. I'm grateful to all of you who have taken an earnest interest in longears and worked hard to train them the right way. And I'm grateful for the people and organizations that devote time, money and energy to support all of us who love these animals.

The American Donkey and Mule Society, the North American Saddle Mule Association, the magazines that promote mules and donkeys, the mule and donkey clubs nationwide and the officers of those organizations who give their time so generously all deserve our thanks. And let's not forget RFD-TV. In the eight years I've been on the network, I've watched it grow and change, endure challenges and enjoy successes. They're working for profit, they're working to win, but they're also committed to providing us, the viewing public, with diverse, entertaining and educational programming. I'm proud to be part of that team and grateful for the opportunity to bring mules and donkeys to an ever-growing audience.

Genuine gratitude has a way of generating more things to be grateful for. If you're a longears lover like me, I know you appreciate every minute you have with your animals, but I'd ask that you also take time to acknowledge the people and groups that have been a part of your longears experience. Their ultimate goal, after all, is to make life better for the animals we love and make our time with them more rewarding. Send a note, make a call, pass the word. Your effort will undoubtedly make someone smile and generate rewards of its own.

Thank you!

Best wishes,
Meredith

Hard to believe that summer '08 has come and gone. What a whirlwind of activity! We kicked things off with a trip to Bishop Mule Days, where Jasper got plenty of time with his fans and our film crew got some great footage for the upcoming special "Jasper Goes To Bishop."

Meredith and artist Bonnie Shields caught up with old friends and made new ones at Bonnie's booth. And Meredith was honored to be named "Best Friend of Bishop."

New Programs On The Way
Back at the ranch Bonnie and Meredith have been working with an international creative team to produce animated adaptations of four more books in the Jasper the Mule children's series.

The first, Jasper: A Christmas Caper, will air on RFD-TV in December, and DVDs will be available soon. Watch our websites www.luckythre eranch.com and www.jasperthe mule.com for announcements on air dates and DVD availability. Animations of Jasper: A Precious Valentine, Jasper: A Fabulous Fourth and Jasper: A Turkey Tale are also in the works. Watch for air dates and DVDs around each holiday in 2009.

The crew was back at Lucky Three Ranch in July to work on our Athletic Conditioning program. This series of four half-hour shows is shaping up to be the most comprehensive and educational work we've done since Training Mules and Donkeys. The program examines every aspect of care and training critical to your equine's health and well-being. The series is in production now, and we'll be sure to let you know when it's scheduled to air on RFD-TV.

Those Magnificent Mules
Also available for purchase this fall: the documentary series Those Magnificent Mules. The series, which has aired on RFD-TV includes the following programs: Those Magnificent Mules & The Lucky Three Ranch Parts 1-3 & The Road to Bishop The Bishop All-Stars Parts 1&2 & The Bishop Experience Parts 1&2 Walk On Parts 1&2, a special program on Therapeutic Riding.

For more information on these new programs, please visit www.luckythre eranch.com or call 800-816-7566.

A New Masterpiece for Lucky Three
Meredith's champion sidesaddle mule Lucky Three Ciji has been immortalized by artist Robin Laws. The life-size bronze of Meredith and Ciji will be installed at Lucky Three Ranch soon, as part of an amazing collection of longears art. Also coming soon, a bronze by artist Bonnie Shields of Jasper the Mule, and his two buddies Kylie and Moxie. "Friends" will be the 10th addition to Meredith's sculpture park. If you're going to be in Loveland, Colorado, be sure to contact Meredith for a free tour of her ranch and remarkable collection.

Greetings from ADMS
Hello to all! It's turning into a hot, hot year, and we don't mean the party-kind! The weather has caused a lot of ponds to dry up, fields to turn crispy brown early, and not to mention the wildfires in California. Hay seems to be in decent supply though, so hopefully everyone will make the transition into a good fall and fair winter.

Since the weather is so hot, most of your donkeys and mules should have gone on and slicked out by now. As we all know, they like to hang onto those shaggy coats as long as possible. If you haven't already done it, you should grab the camera and go take some photos. They don't need to be perfect halter shots, but recent photos of your animals in slick coats (as well as when they do wool up) are useful for you.

Question: How much weight can my mule or donkey carry?

Answer: Mules can carry proportionately more weight than a horse of the same size. However, there have never been any in-depth studies on this issue, so it's best to be skeptical of statistics and avoid making broad generalizations. Obviously, an equine that is not conditioned properly will not be able to efficiently carry as much weight as one that is. Also, a rider with better balance and riding ability is going to be easier for the equine to carry than one who is not balanced, regardless of his or her actual weight. The equine's size and his proportion to the rider will also affect balance and carrying ability.

Meredith,
I just want to say that if it had not been for your website, I would not have been reunited with a mule I NEVER should have sold a long time ago. I want to extend a very emotional thank you for your website, and all you do. Once again thank you.

Nicole Waggoner, IL.

Check the Events Calendar at www.luckythreeranch.com. If you know of an event that is not on our list, please let us know.


Also available now, a great deal on the Jasper the Mule children's book series. Buy all five books in the series and save nearly 15% off the full retail price. Jasper: The Story of a Mule together with Jasper's four holiday adventures make a beautiful collection. These quality, hard-bound books offer entertaining stories with heart destined to be family favorites for years to come. For more information, visit www.luckythre eranch.com or www.jasperthe mule.com or call 800-816-7566.

Tennessee Mule Artist Bonnie Shields has captured the magic of Jasper the Mule with a new statuette now available for purchase. This limited-edition, colorful resin figure features Jasper with his two best friends Kylie and Moxie. To order, please visit our store at www.luckythre eranch.com or www.jasperthe mule.com or call 800-816-7566.


For your convenience, here is the current program schedule for Training Mules and Donkeys on RFD-TV. September Schedule

Wed - 9/3/08 - Basic Management & Grooming Review
Housing your mule, feed and nutrition, peak conditioning, routine health care and grooming.

Wed - 9/10/08 - Showmanship Review
Differences between mules and horses, understanding your mule, beginning & advanced showmanship

Wed - 9/17/08 - Going to the Show
Preparing for a show, body clipping, braiding, trailer loading, at the show and Bishop Mule Days.

Wed - 9/24/08 - Donkey Training Part 1
Chromosome differences, characteristics, imprinting, tying, leading, obstacles, trailer loading and showmanship.
The photos from Bishop Mule Days 2008 are in! If you had your picture taken with Jasper during the event, you can find it on our web site and order your own copy. Choose your size or put your picture on a mug, a t-shirt or a mouse pad. Just go to www.jasperthe mule.com and click on "Photo Gallery." You'll see lots of fun pictures and one of them may be of you!

Lisa Barnes with her new mule Billy Bob, three years old and over 16 hands. Submitted by Jacque White.

Send us your photos!!! Please send your non- returnable 300dpi jpeg file to
newsletter@luckythreeranch.com

Hi Everybody -- I have the life-size sculpture of Kylie, Jasper and Moxie done, and it is at the foundry right now. I have NO idea when it will be finished, but, since the foundry is not busy right now, I expect to have it done in a few months. The title of the piece is "Friends." We've produced a limited number of these colorful resins based on the larger piece. You can find information about them at www.jasperthe mule.com.

Otherwise, that has been my summer so far, except for working with the animators [on the new Jasper the Mule story adaptations]. It is now August, the "moon of the house-guest" in north Idaho, and the house is clean and ready. My daughter and granddaughter will come for a visit and then my buddy from Tennessee, Barbara, arrives, and we disappear for 10 days into the wilds of B.C. and Alberta to sightsee and visit friends.

Sept. 5, 6 and 7, I will be at Hells Canyon Mule Days in Enterprise, Oregon, and Sept. 19, 20 and 21, is the big draft horse and mule show right here in Sandpoint, The International.

OK, that's it for now.

Hugs and Grins,
Bonnie

Don't forget, Jasper: A Turkey Tale is now on sale! Visit www.jasperthemule.com.


Lucky Three Ranch

phone: 800.816.7566