“You have to be really still when she’s punching holes!”
“Leading as a team is easy if you have done your homework!”
“What’s with the stick?!”
“Walk on?…oh, I remember that!”
“I think she wants us to pass her!”
“Oh, I get it…she wants us to walk beside her now!”
“WOW! Cool! We get to be in front now!”
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.
Getting down to your mini’s eye level so that he can make eye contact with you will foster good behavior and produce a willing relationship of trust between you. Learning how to begin the relationship with your miniature equine in a positive and natural way, and setting reasonable boundaries for behavior, discourages striking, jumping on you and other undesirable and abrupt behaviors that are common when working with miniature equines. The results of using this safe approach to miniature training have been amazing! My minis are always calm, happy to cooperate, play safely and continue to learn! Learn more about this gentle and effective way to manage and train YOUR mini on my website at www.luckythreeranch.com under TRAINING and in the STORE.
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.
Miniature horses, donkeys and mules all have one thing in common; everyone else is taller than they are! As the saying goes, the eyes are the window to the soul so it is understandable that they would become anxious if they are unable to look into a person’s eyes to decide whether they are friend or foe. With safety always as my first priority, I work with my minis from a lower position whenever it’s safe to do so. That way, I can make eye contact with them, and I make certain they are always lavishly rewarded with an oats reward for their compliance. You can make fun of me if you want to, but another thing that is important is the way you talk to them. Baby talk INVITES their interest where a perpetually firm voice, or a clicker, does not invite the same kind of intimacy. The results of using this safe approach to miniature have been amazing! My minis are always calm and happy to cooperate and learn! Learn more about this gentle and effective way to manage and train YOUR mini on my website at www.luckythreeranch.com under TRAINING and in the STORE.
“The saddle mules are headed for turnout. Where do you think we are going, Spuds?”
“Looks like we’re headed for the hayfield, Augie!”
“Looks like you were right, Spuds!” “Isn’t it beautiful, Augie?!”
“What is that big yellow thing, Augie?!”
“That’s Chad, Spuds…oh, you mean the swather?!”
“How do you do, Augie? Now smile for the picture!”
“How do you do, Spuds? Not so sure?”
“WOW! That big thing sure makes a lot of noise!”
“Now where are we going, Augie?!”
“These are some really deep windrows!”
“And some really tall grass is growing in the jump course, Augie!”
“Boy, I’ll say it’s tall, Spuds! I can’t see a thing! Where are we going?”
“Spuds, Augie, Are you guys into having a picnic out here?”
“You bet! This is really cool!”
“Smile for the camera, Boys!”
“We are very happy with you, Mini Momma, aren’t we Spuds?!”
“I wuv you, too, Mini Momma!”
“And I love you both! What a grand picnic!”
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.
SUCCESS for the group of 6. Working with the folks up in WA at Thunder Mountain and the Yakima Foal Rescue, we are happy to say that all these horse kids are now safe.
We also were able to save another stallion headed straight to slaughter.We are on the way back to WA, where Matt will be picking up 2 stallions and the emaciated mare and her baby.
We will also be picking up two mares with their foals and an unknown number of Yakima orphans as well. I still do not have an exact pick up date, but we will be ready and waiting.
In the meantime, we had an unexpected rescue of 3 miniatures. I received a phone call and the woman said she needed help as she could not care for them. The above photo shows the horrifying condition of their hoofers upon arrival.
Superman, who was literally walking on the sides of his legs, was in agonizing pain and could barely move. Based on his condition and the lack of movement and the horrible pain even when on high doses of pain meds, there was much to indicate that he might not be able to recover from the damage. We were advised to euthanize, but wanted to make sure. He would not even walk to food with high doses of pain meds on board. Every step was agony, and we knew we had to do something immediately.
The x-ray was shocking. His lil coffin bones were not nearly as rotated or damaged as first thought. Even after the x ray, the vet was not sure if we could save him. A plan was made and a specialized farrier was called in. She said we should try one trim and see how it went.
Upon arrival, the farrier looked in the trailer. Sadly he shook his head and said “there is nothing I can do for this guy. There is way too much damage”.
The vet told him to look at the xray, and so began Superman’s transformation.
Superman is truly a miracle. His life is a gift from God, as it is simply a miracle there was not more damage to his bones and joints. He is a lucky little man. When we used “miracle” in our rescue name, we had no idea that we would see so many.
The other two will be trimmed very soon, as soon as this urgent emergency rescue is done. We needed to make sure we get only the best trimmer to help these kids and need to schedule more x-rays. They are doing very well and the vet and trimmer are getting the timing set up to give them their pedicures.
So once again we are hiring ranch help, driving two rigs and looking at picking up possibly 3 newborn orphans in the next few days, as well as the mares and foals. Superman’s care was not cheap, but he is definitely worth it.
Please help us save the additional mares and their babies (the ones we have not had access to yet), and the additional newborns and older babies. As usual, we have no idea what the final count will be, but I already have too many to fit in one trailer so Matt will have to come back again. As always, the numbers that are saved will be dependent on the funds available to rescue them.
Thank you as always for helping. We will need more funding to complete the purchase, Coggins and Health Certs as well as all the milk, meds, shavings etc. etc. and all the needs that come along with newly born babies. It is excruciatingly expensive to save them.
Below, Superman feeling much better!
If you want to help You can go to You Caring – to help us keep saving lives..
“Finally, it’s MY turn now, Spuds…one…two…three…four!”
“You watch, Spuds! I’m putting my whole body into it”
“Apparently she liked it! That was really fun and EASY!”
“Ah Gee, Spuds, do we have to go back already?!”
“I don’t know about you, Augie, but I’m ready for supper!”
“You’re always ready for supper. That’s why you are so PORTLY, PUDS!”
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.
“It’s a beautiful Fall day, Augie! Where do you think we are we going this time?”
“Maybe I shouldn’t have asked!”
“It wasn’t really THAT bad, was it, Spuds?!”
“Hey, Spuds, come look in here! It’s pretty cool!”
“Has she finally lost her mind, Augie?! We can’t fit in there!”
“It’s okay Fellas! We aren’t really going to try to climb in there! I was just kidding!”
“Guess the joke was on us this time, eh Augie?…Hmmmm…what’s this?” “THIS is a big ditch full of water with a floating culvert, Spuds!”
“Oh fun!…Another mountain! I’m get to go first this time, Augie!”
“Boy, are these guys BIG, Augie! They are all really nice though!”
“Oh good, we get to see even more of our BIG friends, Spuds!”
“Where are we headed now, Augie!”
“It looks like we have some gate-training going on here, Spuds!”
“Remember to stand quietly while she shuts the gate, Augie!”
“She’s really proud of this new bathroom they are building, Spuds, so be sure to seem interested so you don’t hurt her feelings!”
“Okay, I’m in Augie, but I am also ready to exit stage right!”
“Wait a second, You Guys, I have a rock in my shoe!” “Wait, Spuds, Mom has a rock in her shoe!”
“Isn’t this a cool statue, Spuds?”
“Yeah, that one was cool, but this one is my favorite, Augie!”
“Hey, Spuds! This one is just our size!!!”
“More gate training and we’re home again! What a great time we had on such a gorgeous Fall day!”
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.
“Hey, Augie! The sign says ‘Beware of the Ass,’ but I say, ‘Beware of the Ass Trainer!’ We might actually have to do some work!”
“It’s nice to have a ‘Header’ to follow right out of the Tack Barn! That way we can start out on the right ‘feet!’”
“One, two, three, four…one, two, three, four…I wonder where we are headed today, Spuds?!”
“Oh, WOW! We get to go to the hayfield, Spuds. Wide open spaces are FUN!”
“Be sure to stay in sync, Spuds! One, two, three, four…one, two, three, four…”
“Gotcha, Augie! Boy is this grass GREEN!”
“Great halt, Spuds! Now remember we can’t move or we won’t get our oats reward!”
“Aah, what’s this, Augie!” “It’s just a culvert so we don’t have to jump the water in the ditch anymore, Spuds!”
“This is A LOT easier, Augie!”
“I guess we’re headed for home now, Augie!”
“Another wonderful adventure, eh Spuds?! Maybe we really don’t have to ‘Beware of the Ass Trainer’ after all!”
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.
“Hey, Augie! It sure is hot…great day for a bath don’t you think?”
“Well, Roll seems pretty pleased after his bath looking in the window at himself like that! Who needs a mirror?!”
“Hey, Spuds! I found a gold mine of oats AND grass!!!”
“A little WET, but not too bad!”
“Oooooh! That water is kinda cold, Spuds! Shocking!!!”
“Don’t pout, Spuds! It isn’t THAT cold and she will be done with you in a minute! Suck it up!”
“What’s up, Spuds? Eat your oats!” “I can’t be BOUGHT, Augie!”
“No Spuds, but you could cut off your nose to spite your face!”
“Hey, Mom…come back! I want the oats now!”
“You’re lucky she came back, Spuds!”
“We are two REALLY LUCKY guys, Augie! She’s the best!”
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.
“Hey Spuds, where are we going today? What’s that over there?”
“Oh, it’s just the barrels. I remember ground driving through these!”
“This is my favorite part of the lessons, Augie!”
“What the heck does she want now, Augie?”
“Okay, I get it now Augie! That was easy!”
“Now what is she up to? I have to work by myself?!”
“Spuds, I just can’t back between the barrels. I can’t see where I’m going!”
“I’ll show you how, Augie! Forward around the barrels? No sweat!”
“Back around the barrels in a figure eight?! Easy as pie!”
“And the reward is always just heavenly!”
“Oh good…something I CAN do!”
“Wheee! Now this IS fun!”
“I’m not too sure about these steps, Augie!”
“But jumping sure IS fun! I am so glad she made us pay attention to good posture during training!”
“It was another great adventure, eh Spuds?!” “Yup, it sure was!”
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.
“It’s a good thing the surface is rough enough to stop, Spuds!”
“I was afraid it wasn’t, so I got out of your way, Augie!”
“It IS a mounting block, but…
…I’m not sure you can hold me!”
“I think not, so I’ll just jump down…
…and be careful not to clip your head!”
“I’m not sure I can do this as well as you did, Augie!!!”
“Can you at least TRY, Spuds?!”
“Okay Augie, I’ll try!”
“WHOA! OOPS!….”
“Are you okay, Spuds?” “That was some kinda sliding stop, Spuds!!!”
“Thanks a lot, Augie! I’m getting down now!” “Hey Spuds, watch out!!!”
“Is it time for oats now?!!!!”
“She would NEVER forget the oats if we do what she asks, Spuds!”
“Is that why you usually get more than me, Augie?!”
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.
“Roll’s hogging the wash rack, Augie! How are we supposed to fit?”
“Is this better, Spuds?” “I suppose so, Augie…as long as he keeps his distance!”
“Hey, Spuds, how’s it feel?”
“It’s so hot, this feels GREAT, Augie!!!”
“Oh yeah, Spuds, this is great…nice cool water!”
“Uh, excuse me, is anyone listening? BIG FOOT here is getting a little too close again!”
“Oh good! Thanks, Mom!”
“Just you wait, Spuds!” “Hey, Augie! Did he just threaten me?”
“Naw, he’s just kidding, Spuds.”
“Are ya sure, Augie?” “Yeah, I’m sure. We’re all too COOL to behave badly!”
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.
“Isn’t there a better way to go than up the steps?”
“Really Augie, do you always have to be so cooperative?”
“Okay, what’s up now?”
“Oats are always good!”
“Are you kidding me? You really think that book will help?”
“Augie, do you always have to be such a show-off?”
“If you took the time to study, Spuds, things might be a lot easier for you!”
“Maybe you’re right, Augie!”
“I like how the book says we’re different, Augie. The family that grazes together, stays together!”
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.
“Well, Augie, it finally stopped raining! I wonder what we are doing today?”
“Ooh La La! Isn’t SHE lovely? Augie, check HER out! Nice socks, Honey!”
“She doesn’t look all that impressed with you, Spuds!”
“Maybe she’ll like ME better! She really IS kinda cute!”
“Hmmm! Stealin’ my action eh, Augie?! Well, she doesn’t look all that impressed with you either!”
“Let’s just play hard to get and maybe she will change her tune, Spuds!”
“I guess two can play that game, Augie…now she’s pretending she’s asleep!”
“But she IS so cute, Spuds!”
“WOMEN! You can’t live with them and you can’t live without them, so what’s a guy to do?!”
“Where’d they go?!!!”
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.
“What’s up today, Augie?” “Not a clue, Spuds, but it’s not the carriage.”
“Whoa! What’s this, Augie?” “Spuds, quit runnin’ into me! I can’t see it!”
“REALLY, Spuds?! Quit being so dramatic…it’s the tarp!”
“Okay! I get it. You want me to lead this time!”
“Hey, Spuds! We’re playing follow the leader and I get to be the leader!”
“It’s no sweat, Spuds!”
“Hmmmm…there’s grass in here!”
“Uh, do we really have to stop right here?!”
“We’re working on core strength, Augie!”
“…and then again here?” “Hey Augie, pretty slick move! (I hope I don’t have to do that!)”
“Uh, oh, Augie! It’s my turn!”
“This is a cinch, Augie!”
“Darn! We’re back to the tarp again…HELP, Augie!”
“Don’t worry, Spuds! I’ll show you how to do it.”
“This isn’t so bad, I guess!”
“You’re right, Augie! That was pretty easy and lots of fun after all!”
“It’s even more fun when we do it TOGETHER!”
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.
“Here we go again, Spuds, but something feels really different and strange.”
“Did you say strange, Augie? Well, I’m outta here!”
“I think she said ‘Whoa,’ Spuds!”
“Whew! I’m glad she switched the lines back BEHIND the terrets instead of in front of them! It was putting a kink in my neck, Spuds!”
“Me, too, Augie! Besides, I like it much better when I can really FEEL her hands.”
“I’m sure glad she took the time to review ground driving before hitching us up again!”
“Okay Spuds, now let’s get lined up straight for her!”
“No problem, Augie!”
“Hey Augie, I recognize this! It’s the hourglass pattern we’ve been ground driving for the past few months!”
“Are Sean and Steve in sync with us, Spuds?” “They sure are, Augie!”
“Get ready, Spuds, we’re gonna WHOA!”
“And we’re off again, Augie! One…two…three…four…”
“Yup Spuds, I’m really glad she decided to go ahead and cross the lines BEHIND the terrets even though she said it was ‘against the rules!’”
“Hmmm, this grass looks pretty tasty, Augie!”
“Whew! What a long workout for twenty minutes!…I’m tired, Augie!”
“Me, too, Spuds!”
“Hey Spuds, how about next time you pull and I push like Sean and Steve are doing?!”
“Not a chance, Augie!”
NOTE from Meredith: Equines are always honest in their reactions to training. When things go wrong, it is always the handler’s fault. Everything I have learned about driving said that when driving a team, put simply, you should thread the inside lines through the terrets of the opposite equine making the lines cross in an “X” just in front of the terrets. With my larger equines, this never really posed a problem…until I tried it with Augie and Spuds.
I had always ground driven Augie and Spuds single and then together as a team with their lines going directly from their mouths through their terrets on their harness saddles and to my respective hands. I could then clearly feel the connection from my hands to their lips holding all four lines. This never posed a problem until I decided that maybe I should thread the lines in the more conventional way with the lines crossed in front of and running through the opposing equine’s terrets. It worked fine until they got uneven. When I said “Whoa” and pulled back on the lines, the inside lines acted like “drawreins” with too much leverage for their short little necks. The only direct and light contact I had was on the nearside (left) and offside (right) lines of the team. When they could no longer feel the even contact on both sides of their mouths, they both bolted as shown in the picture above. I immediately changed the lines back to their original position with the lines crossing into my hands BEHIND the terrets instead of in front of the terrets. I could then feel the connection on both sides again and so could they. The result was immediate compliance! We were again “connected!”
When using split lines, the draught lines go from the nearside bit ring of the near side equine and the offside bit ring of the offside equine direct to the driver. A series of holes in the coupling lines allow for adjustment. The nearside coupling line passes through the inside terret of the nearside equine and across to the bit ring of the offside equine and vice versa. To avoid any confusion for the equines, I think it is important to train with two sets of lines in the beginning, until they are clearly aware of their job and actually can feel the connection to your hands. I would not advise split lines for beginning training. The connection from your hands to their mouths is too loose and it is hard for them to understand your intent, especially in the case of miniatures since the distance from their mouth to the terrets is so short and the action on the lines can be so severe. Once proficient with four lines, they can then “graduate” to split lines for your convenience.
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.
“What do you suppose we’re doing today down here in the dressage arena…hmmmm?!”
“Whatever it is, Spuds, I get to go first!!”
“Hey, Spuds, this is really easy and lots of fun!”
“Look Spuds, I finally learned the rein back!”
“And…I did it perfectly!”
“Your turn now, Spuds!”
“Like you said, Augie, this is a breeze!”
“Can we trot yet?”
“Now we get to do the hourglass pattern together, Spuds! Whoohoo! What fun!”
“Don’t forget to stay in sync, Augie! One…two…three…four!”
“And Whoa! Good job, Augie! Good job, Spuds!”
“And…back!” “It’s okay Augie! Just take it one small step at a time. She’ll wait for us!”
“Not a bad lesson, Spuds!” “Augie, don’t you know that we’re the BEST?!”
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.
“Hi, Spuds, Hi, Augie! Fancy meeting you here!” “Hey, Roll! Why are ya all wet?”
“You’ll see soon enough!”
“Uh, hey you guys, I’m over here! Oats, please?!”
“Hey, Spuds, where’d she go?” “She’s giving Roll some oats. You know she never plays favorites, Augie!”
“Oh, no, it’s bath time again!” “So soon? It’s only been a year, Augie!”
“If I can just bury my head into the fanny pack…” “Augie, maybe if I get into the act she’ll do us both at once and we’ll get done quicker!”
“I’m not sure this is such a good idea, Augie!”
“You okay, Spuds?” “Uh, yea…”
“Look at it this way, Spuds…you’re almost done!”
“And now I AM done, Augie! Am I ever.”
“Hey, Roll! Why don’t YOU have to dry on the hotwalker?”
“Because he’s bigger? What kind of an answer was that, Augie!”
“Because he IS bigger, Spuds! Need he say more?”
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.
“Hey, we haven’t seen you guys in a while! How have you been?! We get to go for another adventure with Meredith today!”
“What do you suppose she has in mind for us today, Spuds?” “I don’t know, Augie, but we’ll find out soon enough! Let’s just stand still while she gets the gate…just like we always do!”
“Going through the gate is always easier when you do it the same way every time!”
“Uh, what’s this, Spuds? I’ve seen this somewhere else before…oh, yeah, in the round pen! This should be easier to pull with more room to move!”
“It’s just as I thought, Spuds…no sweat! It’s the same as we did in the round pen, only we can pull in long straight lines now! It’ll be your turn in a few minutes…I just have to finish the hourglass pattern.”
“You were right, Augie! This is actually easier than the round pen and it’s nice to have the “elbow pull” to remind me not to lift my head too high and to pull from my hindquarters…it’s just like people have to lift with their legs and not with their backs!”
“And when you do, Augie, it’s easy to halt in perfect posture!”
“When we’re both taught exactly the same way, teamwork is a cinch!”
“When you have strength in good balance, even lateral moves, done as a team, are easy and fun…shall we dance?!!”
“Don’t be silly, Spuds, we’re working not dancing, so pull your share! She’ll tap you on your rear if you don’t keep up!”
“You boys are the very best!!!” “Aren’t we though?!”
“Confidence is a good thing, too, huh, Augie?!” “Yeah, Spuds, as long as you learn good manners with it!”
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.
Mini donkeys Spuds and Augie are always up for a new challenge–like adding a new element to their round pen workout routine!
“Hey, Spuds! What do you think she has in mind to do today with all these straps?”
“Oomph! She told me to go forward just like we did before, but something is holding me back…oh, now it is coming behind me! What’s happening?!”
“You’re attached to a tire! Here, follow me!”
“Oh boy, now it’s my turn, Augie!” “Don’t worry, Spuds. I’m right behind you…this tire’s not that scary.”
“Excuse me, Spuds! I had to stop to pee. Just go ahead and pass me and I’ll catch up to you when I’m done!”
“That was really easy, but now what is she doing, Augie?”
“Whoa! Hey, Spuds, where are you going?” “Sorry, Augie, she forgot to say ‘Gee!”
“Okay, now this is MUCH better and a lot easier to pull as a team!!!”
“You got that right, Augie!”
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.
