WHAT ARE MULES GOOD FOR BESIDES PACKING AND FARMING?  MEREDITH HODGES - LUCKY THREE RANCH

• Mules have versatility to do many different things.
• Packers use mules in the mountains.
• Hunters in heavy snow - praise the value of their mules.
• After the industrial revolution, mules are used for carrying supplies into remote areas.
• Hurricane Helene victims are being assisted by pack mules and their handlers bringing essential provisions to their families.
• The Mountain Mule Packer Ranch partnered with the Cajun Navy (civilian volunteers) to deliver insulin to a family.
• Learn how mules are doing their part in helping people during this disastrous situation in North Carolina due to Hurricane Helene.

Mule Talk is an Every Cowgirl's Dream production - www.EveryCowgirlsDream.Com

www.MuleTalk.Net

Meredith Hodges Interviews:
www.LuckyThreeRanch.Com/Podcast-Appearances/

MULTIPLE FACETS OF LONGEARS - HYBRID VIGOR - MEREDITH HODGES - LUCKY THREE RANCH 

• What are mules and hinnies?
• What are the physical characteristics of the Ass?
• What are the mental characteristics of the Ass?
• What kind of hybrid equines are there?
• Listen to the many horse, mule, and donkey hybrids - different voices.
• Mules are good mothers too!
• Amazing documented findings of mules giving birth!
• What to look for in a gaited jack. 

Mule Talk is an Every Cowgirl's Dream production - www.EveryCowgirlsDream.Com

www.MuleTalk.Net

Meredith Hodges Interviews:
www.LuckyThreeRanch.Com/Podcast-Appearances/

KEYS TO SUCCESSFUL TRAINING PART 2 - ATTITUDE & APPROACH - MEREDITH HODGES - LUCKY THREE RANCH

• Establishing a bond.
• Feeding.
• Consideration.
• Structured exercises.
• Body language and verbal communication.
• Benefits of group lessons.
• Take lessons periodically to stay on track to improve your own skills. 
• Lists of trainers and instructors can be obtained from the United States Equestrian Federation.

Mule Talk is an Every Cowgirl's Dream production - www.EveryCowgirlsDream.Com

www.MuleTalk.Net

Meredith Hodges Interviews:
www.LuckyThreeRanch.Com/Podcast-Appearances/

KEYS TO SUCCESSFUL TRAINING PART 1 - MEREDITH HODGES - LUCKY THREE RANCH 

• The Work Station. 
• Tack and Equipment.
• In the Round Pen.
• Be aware of how your own body language and verbal commands elicit certain behaviors in your animal.
• The Hard Tie - Elbow Pull as a restraint and how to use it. 
• In the Arena.
• Open Areas.

Mule Talk is an Every Cowgirl's Dream production - www.EveryCowgirlsDream.Com

www.MuleTalk.Net

Meredith Hodges Interviews:
www.LuckyThreeRanch.Com/Podcast-Appearances/

FINE-TUNING THE RIDER / FINE-TUNING THE AIDS - MEREDITH HODGES - LUCKY THREE RANCH

• The benefits of using positive reinforcement early on in your mule's training.
• Apply corrective measures appropriately when working with your young mule.
• Each mule learns in their own way and at their own pace.
• Using your seat bones to fine-tune your aids.
• Use half-halts when making a transition will alert your mule a change is going to occur. 
• Using circles to benefit your training.
• Working at a pace so as not to confuse or create anxiety in your mule. 
• Establishing fine-tuning will create harmony and balance in your work.

Mule Talk is an Every Cowgirl's Dream production - www.EveryCowgirlsDream.Com

www.MuleTalk.Net

Meredith Hodges Interviews:
www.LuckyThreeRanch.Com/Podcast-Appearances/

MAKING HISTORY WITH MULES  Part 3 - MEREDITH HODGES - LUCKY THREE RANCH

So much to learn about the mule's history!

• Mules before the industrial age were vital to the United States and utilized for heavy work.
• Mules during the Westward Expansion days, transported families and their possessions through the Western Plains. 
• The U.S. Cavalry and their role in using mules.
• Harvey Riley, author of The Mule, published in 1867 - an excellent source of the mule and its history in the U.S. Army. 
• Soldier, Jimmy Wright was saved by his mule during a horrific battle; his mule dragged him to safety.

This and more! 

#mulehistory, #armymules, #meredithhodges, #luckythreeranch, #cindykroberts, #muletalk

Mule Talk is an Every Cowgirl's Dream production - www.EveryCowgirlsDream.Com

www.MuleTalk.Net

Meredith Hodges Interviews:
www.LuckyThreeRanch.Com/Podcast-Appearances/

MAKING HISTORY WITH MULES - WITH WORLD RENOWNED MULE TRAINER - TV PERSONALITY - MEREDITH HODGES - LUCKY THREE RANCH

• Mules and donkeys are mentioned in the Bible.
• The highest intelligence residing in animals is that of the mule.
• Learn how mules played a significant part in Greek and Roman transportation.
• HAI-BAR, a volunteer organization established to protect animals that had thrived in the Holy Land during the Old Testament years - but are now dangerously close to extinction.
• Unique personality traits of the mule come from the ass.
• George Washington - the first organized mule breeder in America.
• Hear how the Erie Canal was built by mules.
• Hear about the borax mule team from Death Valley hauling over the mountains to the Mojave Desert and more!

Mule Talk is an Every Cowgirl's Dream production - www.EveryCowgirlsDream.Com

www.MuleTalk.Net

Meredith Hodges Interviews:
www.LuckyThreeRanch.Com/Podcast-Appearances/

STANDING STILL WHILE MOUNTING - MEREDITH HODGES - LUCKY THREE RANCH

• It starts with good nutrition and being fed on schedule to reduce anxiety.
• Ground training is essential using a logical approach.
• Begin mounting in the Round Pen first - using a mounting block.
• Desensitize your mule with gentle strokes to the body to learn his sensitive areas. 
• Start with a mounting block to eliminate pulling on the saddle.
• Have an assistant work with you for safety reasons. 
• Sit quietly for a minute before walking on after mounting.
• Train your mule to understand the command "WHOA."
• Train your mule to understand the command "STAND" when you are ready to mount him. 
• Use the reward system to let him know he is doing well. 
• Balance your weight when stepping up into the saddle and stepping down.
• English riders - remove both feet from stirrups when dismounting.
• Western riders position your foot in the left stirrup to eliminate getting hung up. 
• Ride in a saddle that is comfortable for your mule and a proper fit for you the rider. 
• This will eliminate potential hazards.

Mule Talk is an Every Cowgirl's Dream production - www.EveryCowgirlsDream.Com

www.MuleTalk.Net

Meredith Hodges Interviews:
www.LuckyThreeRanch.Com/Podcast-Appearances/

DO MULES NEED TO BE SHOD?  MEREDITH HODGES - LUCKY THREE RANCH

• Take into consideration where you will ride your mule.
• Terrian - rocky - mud - sand - grass - mountain trails - prairie.
• Mules inherit their hooves through their genes. 
• Climate and weather greatly affect the condition of your mule's feet.
• Hoof products - are often overused. 
• Stress rings and what they mean.
• Your mule's diet is important to producing healthy hooves.

Mule Talk is an Every Cowgirl's Dream production - www.EveryCowgirlsDream.Com

www.MuleTalk.Net

Meredith Hodges Interviews:
www.LuckyThreeRanch.Com/Podcast-Appearances/

So You Think You Want a Mule? Meredith Hodges - Lucky Three Ranch

• Where to buy a mule for you?
• What kind of experience do you have as a rider?
• What are your character traits? 
• Learn how to select the right mule for you. 
• Talk to experienced mule people to assist you.
• Learn how to evaluate the animal you are looking at.
• Have a vet and farrier do exams on the mule.
• The option of asking for a trial period with the mule. 
• Drawing up a contract when hiring a trainer. 

Mule Talk is an Every Cowgirl's Dream production - www.EveryCowgirlsDream.Com

www.MuleTalk.Net

Meredith Hodges Interviews:
www.LuckyThreeRanch.Com/Podcast-Appearances/