Training Without Resistance From Foal to Advanced Levels (Training mules and donkeys) [Spiral-bound]

Meredith Hodges (Author)

Book Description

Series: Training mules and donkeys | Publication Date: May 28, 1999

This book is a collection of all information covered in Video Tapes #1 through #7 as well as the hardbound book "Training Mules and Donkeys: A Logical Approach to Longears". Designed to be an assistant to your learning.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Merdith Hodges is a well-known trainer and writer on donkey and mule behavior. Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota and raised in California, Meredith has been associated with mules and donkeys for 25 years and has been associated with horses all her life. In 1979 she started the Lucky Three Mule Ranch in Loveland, Colorado and has since studied Animal Sciences at Colorado State University. She is an animal inspector, representative and judge for the American Donkey and Mule Society, and has written a successful column called "Mule Crossing" which has appeared in over ten publications internationally during the past 15 years. To date, she has also produced three books: "Training Mules and Donkeys: A Logical Approach to Longears"; 'Training Without Resistance"; and "Donkey Training" as well as a ten-tape video series that accompanies the books.

Product Details

• Spiral-bound: 211 pages
• Publisher: Lucky Three Ranch Inc; 1st edition (May 28, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1928624014
• ISBN-13: 978-1928624011
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.7 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #299,759 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Meredith Hodges, eldest daughter of Charles M. Schulz, lives in Loveland, Colorado. She is the author of six books on training; the producer of 48 television episodes, including "Training Mules and Donkeys"; and is the creator of the Jasper the Mule series of children's books and movies. For over 35 years, she has been a trainer, competitor, inspector, judge and representative for the American Donkey and Mule Society. Her successful column "Mule Crossing" is published in equine magazines internationally. The 127-acre Lucky Three Ranch is home to her champion mules and donkeys, and is open for scheduled tours. For more information, go to www.LuckyThreeRanch.com and www.JasperTheMule.com. Find Meredith Hodges and Lucky Three Ranch on Facebook and Twitter.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good, But Not Stand-Alone, November 1, 2007

By 

S. Wussow (WI, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Training Without Resistance From Foal to Advanced Levels (Training mules and donkeys) (Spiral-bound)

I purchased this book after reading the description which said it contained "all" of the information in the video set (available at the author's website). Although I have prior horse care and riding (English and western) experience, I now own two miniature donkeys whom I wish to train to drive.

After reading the first two chapters of the book, I am impressed with the author's emphasis on positive reinforcement, and understanding of donkey/mule psychology. Yet I am clueless about how to perform many of the training assignments outlined. The photos in the book do not adequately illustrate the methods being used, and the text is only a general outline (albeit a well-written one).

I believe that the text may be taken directly from the videos, after seeing some short clips on the author's website... but it doesn't stand alone without the moving video (or additional photos or drawings) to illustrate what is being done. It is also slightly repetitive, as if portions hadn't been edited properly.

This would be a good book to have AFTER seeing the videos, so you could remind yourself of the assignments while you were out working with your animal... but I wish I had purchased the videos instead.

Those of us wanting donkey-specific training books are really limited to this and one other on the market, which is a shame, as these animals are becoming so popular. This book is really geared more towards mules, and covers donkeys only in passing.

Finally, it is recommended that the trainer spend six months to a year on each chapter before progressing; I understand the need to take things very slowly, but it seems there could be some additional suggestions for activities on the same level during those time periods - it's kind of sparse in that respect.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars More Donkey info needed., November 18, 2007

By 

Donkey fan (North Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Training Without Resistance From Foal to Advanced Levels (Training mules and donkeys) (Spiral-bound)

I was very dissapointed when I read this book. I was hoping for some insight on how to work with donkeys as compared to horses. The book mentions that the training is different but didn't explain how. It goes right into training for showmanship and then forword into advanced work. This is information I can get out of any horse training book. It does not work with donkeys or mules. For instance, a donkey will stop moving and nothing that would make a horse move will make a donkey move. What works with a donkey? Why do they stop? These and many more questions I found no answer for.

5.0 out of 5 stars Donkey Training Without Resistance, October 18, 2010

By 

Therese P. Dignard "North Woods Muse" (Berlin, NH United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Training Without Resistance From Foal to Advanced Levels (Training mules and donkeys) (Spiral-bound)

An informative book that could benefit mule, horse and donkey owners. Well explained with great photo choices for reference. Meredith conveys her training methods and methodoly well in this and her other books. They are laid out to accompany the DVD lessons, which I have not yet seen. I feel that this book is a benefit to those who wish to further their training skills.