March 2009
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Dear Friends

Nature, time and patience are the three great physicians - Proverb

Dear Friends:

Anyone who's spent much time with children or animals has learned the value of patience. While we all struggle to find it from time to time, we know that with it we can overcome our greatest challenges and without it, life will only be more difficult. With patience, we gain awareness, empathy and effectiveness. When we lose patience, we create stress-not only in ourselves but in others-and where there is stress, well-being can't exist. Impatience produces resistance and frustration, which, of course, produces more impatience, which produces more resistance and frustration... You see where this is going. You might say that patience is its own reward, but cooperation, partnership and unlimited success are pretty attractive benefits as well.

This is something I talk a lot about in my new DVD series and companion manual, "Equus Revisited: A Complete Approach to Athletic Conditioning." In this program, I cover every component of an athletic conditioning program that considers the well-being of the whole equine and includes the support of a team of experts. I also spell out what's required of you if you want good results. As with any worthwhile endeavor, when you train an equine, it's important to know ahead of time what it will take to succeed. What commitment must you make? Both to yourself and to the animal. Do you have the temperament-the patience-to go the distance?

This new series, in conjunction with my training series, covers everything you need to know. But what you bring to the table is just as important. Attitude is everything, and your focus, your determination and your patience are keys to your equine's success. This is what I've learned in 35 years of working with these wonderful animals. I share it gladly and hope that each of you experiences the joy of truly bonding with a horse, mule or donkey. And if you get stuck along the way, call or write me, and we'll work through it together.

Best wishes,


Meredith

AVAILABLE NOW!

"Equus Revisited: A Complete Approach to Athletic Conditioning" is Meredith's brand new DVD series and manual designed to complement her correspondence training series Training Mules and Donkeys.

"Equus Revisited" offers new material and interviews with a host of equine-health professionals. This is foundational work. Whether you're working with a foal, training an older animal or rehabilitating an injured or abused one, this series will help lay the groundwork for success.

To Shoe or Not to Shoe
The recent airing of "Equus Revisited, Part One" sparked some lively discussion about whether or not it's necessary to shoe your equines. Here's what Meredith had to say:

Dear Clare,

Thank you for your email. I do believe that there is a lot of validity in Natural Trimming, and I do agree that most equines should go barefoot. If you noticed, in my show, almost every animal is barefoot! The only ones that are not barefoot are those with special problems, or those that are being ridden and exposed to one type of terrain and then another quite frequently. Unfortunately, equine boots do not stay on mules very well and can cause behavioral problems if they do come loose.


Tours at Lucky Three
The tour schedule at Lucky Three Ranch is filling up. If you or your group would like a guided tour of Meredith's Loveland, Colorado ranch and sculpture garden, please contact us at info@luckythreeranch.com.

Hello to all from the ADMS!

This year has been a shaky start for many of us, not just in the USA but worldwide. Change may be on the horizon, but most equine-owners have to think "in the now."

Fluctuations in the economy looked to be scary for many horse owners. Horrifying reports of horses with owners unable to care for them, turned loose or dumped, surfaced everywhere. It's heartbreaking to think of having to get rid of our cherished equine companions. Fortunately, things may be getting better, and we won't have to face the agony of giving away our four-legged friends.

Question: We have a new mule and would like to know how we should socialize him with the others that we have. What should we do?

Answer: Generally, the best thing to do with a new animal is to put him in a pen of his own adjacent to the pens with your other animals for about two weeks, just so they can be introduced "across the fence" before you turn them in together. Jacks and stallions should never be turned in with other animals. When you finally do put your mule in with the others, they will establish a new pecking order. As long as they do not get completely vicious with each other, you can be reasonably sure that they will work this out and things will calm down over another two-week period. Of course, there may be irreconcilable differences in personality or size that will affect your mule's behavior. If he is incompatible with the other animals, he may need to be kept by himself, or with a partner that is more suitable for him.
Dear Meredith,

I was delighted to receive your book and CD for the rescue's library. Ironically, we just put together a nice library for our volunteers and to educate others about horse care and more. Your book and CD are a great addition. I just wanted you to know we do appreciate it very much.

Thank you,
Cheryl F.
www.SaveTheHorses.org

Check the Events Calendar at www.luckythreeranch.com. If you know of an event that is not on our list, please let us know.
"Equus Revisited" is part of Meredith's expanding educational series Those Magnificent Mules. These programs have aired on RFD-TV and are now available on DVD. They include:
  • 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.luckythreeranch.com or call 800-816-7566.
March Schedule

#46: Equus Revisited Part 1 - Wed - 3/4/09 First Airing
Special - Premier Airing of "A Healthy Beginning" for your equine

#47: Equus Revisited Part 2 - Wed - 3/11/09 First Airing
Special - Premier Airing of "Balance, Body Awareness & Good Posture" for your equine

#48: Equus Revisited Part 3 - Wed - 3/18/09 First Airing
Special - Premier Airing of "Elements of Good Communication" for your equine

#49: Equus Revisited Part 4 - Wed - 3/25/09: First Airing
Special - Premier Airing of "Athletic Conditioning for Longevity" for your equine

April Schedule

#29: Massage for Your Equine w/Joanne Lang - Wed - 4/1/09 First Airing
Meredith and Joanne discuss the benefits of equine massage and how to get the best from your equine.

#39: "Those Magnificent Mules & the Road to Bishop" - Wed - 4/8/09 First Airing
Special - following Meredith Hodges' Longears love affair with Bishop Mule Days

#42: "Those Magnificent Mules & Bishop All Stars Part 1" - Wed - 4/15/09 First Airing
Special - featuring interviews & performances of Bishop Mule Days All Stars

#43: "Those Magnificent Mules & Bishop All Stars Part 2" - Wed - 4/22/09 First Airing
Special - Featuring interviews and performances of Bishop Mule days all Stars
Jasper is stepping out this spring. He'll make appearances at some local libraries, daycare centers and other events in Northern Colorado, and of course he'll return to Bishop Mule Days again this year. Hope to see you there!

In the meantime, be sure to check out Jasper's web site for new games and activities. There's always something fun to do or see at www.jasperthemule.com.
Hi Meredith: This picture was taken while we were on vacation at Wranglers Campground, Land Between the Lakes, KY. My husband, Wayne was on "Digger" and I was riding "Annie." Had a wonderful time. May you always ride safe and free. Linda

SEND US YOUR PICTURES!!! We want to know what you and long-eared friends are up to.

Please submit your 300dpi jpeg file and a little information about yourself to newsletter@luckythreeranch.com.
Bonnie recently completed this wonderful bronze sculpture of Jasper and his Friends, now installed at Lucky three Ranch.

A note from Bonnie: Here's a partial list of when I'll be where in '09: I am coming to Tennessee in April for Columbia Mule Day (April 3-5). You have been warned!

Also: May 20-24 -Mule Days, Bishop, CA, Sept. 11-13 - Hells Canyon Mule Days, Enterprise, OR Sept. 24-27 - DH&M International, Sandpoint, ID Dec. 3-12 - NFR Cowboy Christmas, Las Vegas, NV

So mark your Mischka Calendar and come see me if you can. In the meantime, all is well at the Brass Ass. Check out the new stuff on the web site, www.bonnieshields.com, and Keep the Mule Artist off The Endangered Species List!

Bonnie.

Be sure to check out Jasper's new and improved website! Visit www.jasperthemule.com.


Lucky Three Ranch

phone: 800.816.7566