Those Magnificent Mules

Join Meredith Hodges as she takes you on adventure, exploring the unique culture of mule people and longears enthusiasts. Through interviews, live events and go-for-broke competitions, you will get to meet the people and animals that are so unique to American culture. The series also explores equine assisted therapy or therapeutic riding and the work being done with mentally, physically and emotionally challenged riders.

EPISODES

Lucky Three Ranch Hay Production Documentary

The Lucky Three Ranch has been engaged in the production of top quality Brome/Orchard grass hay for the past 35 years. Obtaining top quality hay for one's livestock is not an easy thing to do. For this reason, the Lucky Three Ranch decided to grow their own hay. Producing good hay is a lot more than just growing grass cutting, baling and stacking to do the job right! Producing exceptional grass hay involves much more than you might think! Enjoy your journey with the Lucky Three Ranch Crew as they guide you through all the trials and tribulations of top quality, certifiable hay production. This is a video you won't want to miss!

Creating the Jasper Carousel

Meredith and her team build a custom Jasper-themed carousel at the Jasper bunkhouse.

Rock and Roll: Diary of a Rescue

Rock and Roll: Diary of a Rescue documents the progress of victories and set-backs that the Belgian Draft Mule Team encountered after being rescued from slaughter, first by Fran and Larry Howe of the Bitteroot Mule Company, and finally by Meredith Hodges and the Lucky Three Ranch team of professionals. This is a poignant story of how Rock gallantly gave his all and how his teammate, Roll, slowly emerged from his shell and learned to trust us and—even more importantly—himself. Our regimen of compassion, respect, patience and physical therapy helped both mules to obtain their own personal miracle. Rock and Roll touched everyone’s soul by proving they were ready, willing and able to give everything they could, straight from their enormous hearts...a touching story you won’t want to miss!

The Road to Bishop

Meredith Hodges and her longears head to Bishop Mule Days, where they are challenged to the limit in dressage, side-saddle, and English jumping. Archival footage details their rocky but triumphant road to Bishop.

Subtitles available in English.
Approximately 22 minutes

Walk On: Exploring Therapeutic Riding

This two-episode documentary offers a comprehensive look at the profound, life-changing benefits of therapeutic riding programs for adults and children with disabilities and special needs. These programs explore the special bond that develops between equines and their challenged riders, and how hippotherapy is changing lives for the better around the world.

You will meet a locomotion expert and discover how hippotherapy works, learn about the rehabilitative work being done with wounded soldiers, and hear from celebrity and equine advocate, William Shatner, about his personal involvement with therapeutic riding.

Subtitles available in English.
Part 1 - Approximately 22 minutes
Part 2 - Approximately 22 minutes

The Bishop Experience

Join us for an insider's look at what it takes to put together the Bishop Mule Days celebration. This event is a celebration of mules and donkeys that attracts fans and competitors from all over the world, who compete in 181 events. Watch edge-of-your-seat footage featuring gymkhana events, chariots, dressage and musical tires. Go behind the scenes and into the arena for the go-for-broke competitions including cattle classes, bridled reining, youth classes and the pack scramble.

Subtitles available in English.
Part 1 - Approximately 22 minutes
Part 2 - Approximately 22 minutes

The Bishop All-Stars

Every year during Memorial Day weekend, a celebration of mules and donkeys takes place in Bishop, California. The event attracts fans and competitors from all over the world, who compete in 181 events. Meredith Hodges talks with Bishop Mule Days All-Stars Von Twitchell, Lou Moore Jacobsen and Crystal Ward about competing in gymkhana events, English jumping and side saddle classes. Founder Bob Tanner recounts the history of Bishop Mule Days and how it all began.

Bishop All-Stars Tim Phillips, Vern Brooks and Jo De Collins speak with Meredith Hodges about what it takes to be a Bishop Mule Days All-Star, with career highlights and a look back at the beginnings of Bishop Mule Days.

Subtitles available in English.
Part 1 - Approximately 22 minutes
Part 2 - Approximately 22 minutes

Those Magnificent Mules - All Episodes

Join Meredith Hodges as she takes you on adventure, exploring the unique culture of mule people and longears enthusiasts. Through interviews, live events and go-for-broke competitions, you will get to meet the people and animals that are so unique to American culture. The series also explores equine assisted therapy or therapeutic riding and the work being done with mentally, physically and emotionally challenged riders.

Subtitles available in English. Some episodes and special features also have subtitles available in Español, Français and Deutsche.
The Road to Bishop - Approximately 22 minutes
Walk on - Approximately 44 minutes total
The Bishop Experience - Approximately 44 minutes total
The Bishop All-Stars - Approximately 44 minutes total

Building a Nation: The History of the American Mule

Mules and donkeys have played important roles in the history of humans both as work animals and companions. These unique and often misunderstood equines have made countless contributions to the world as we know it... and some might even surprise you.

Approximately 8 minutes