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Animal power?

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Tom A

01-23-2002 04:31:29

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Any of you ever use mule/horse/ox to do any work? I've got an old neighbor who keeps 2 oooolllld draft horses and hitches 'em up a couple times a year an plows or cultivates with them just for 'old times sake' and fun.

I'm looking to try it, and know there are some folks who do it regularly just not sure how many are on the web...looking for any advice.

thanks,
Tom

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Tom A -- thanks guys!

01-25-2002 08:48:09

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Re: Animal power? in reply to Tom A, 01-23-2002 04:31:29

Thanks for all the advice and comments.

I/we love animals, and have a small very hilly place and animal power seems like a natural for us...there's a few ravines that haven't been mowed since the place lost its horses 50 years ago. And some of the places I do use the tractor, I'm usually just about near the tip-over point (please, no safety lectures! I know to be careful, but.....)

Anyway, thanks again for all the info.

Tom

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B.C.

01-24-2002 17:31:51

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Re: Animal power? in reply to Tom A, 01-23-2002 04:31:29

If you like animals and don't mind d feeding them twice a day EVERY DAY, and the vet bills, go for it. A good well trained team of horses is a pleasurable thing.

You might consider, though, that there were good reasons why horses were phased out and all those tractors got built.

My grandpa missed his team, but we kept the 9N.

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Screaminhollow

01-24-2002 13:32:55

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Re: Animal power? in reply to Tom A, 01-23-2002 04:31:29

Saw you got goats, we got twenty of the infernal creatures, even 3800 volts in five strands of electric don't keep em in. I made a harness for our biggest whether, and he pulls the kid's wagon well, just not in a controllable manner. I know there is a book about training them but I don't have the time. A friend who does drive her goat, says a large dog harness is much cheaper to buy. Some folks say you should use a bit with a goat, never saw a bit in any goat catalogues.

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Screaminhollow

01-24-2002 13:01:32

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Re: Animal power? in reply to Tom A, 01-23-2002 04:31:29

We both share the same desire! I actually bought a draft horse (cross bred) six months ago. She's 13 yrs old and came off an Amish farm. When I ride her, she stops when I ask, goes when I ask and backs up when I ask on simple verbal commands. She reins well. She don't want her feet picked up for love, bribes or treats, which is a major problem for the farrier. I want to learn to use her for light work. I simply don't know how to fit a work harness, but when I get some bucks saved up, I'll go to the Amish harness shop down the road and let them fit her. I've already talked to a young Amish guy about coming to my place and teaching me. He said $75 for a day, I provide transportation. There is a magazine called the Draft Horse Journal, don't know if they have a web site. There are some weekend driving schools which travel around the east coast. Cost a couple hundred bucks. If you are anywhere near the Mid-Atlantic states, let me know and I will try to look them up in my wife's horse mags.

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Barry Butler

01-24-2002 10:27:42

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Re: Animal power? in reply to Tom A, 01-23-2002 04:31:29

I have a big black Percheron that I occassionally use on my small part time farm. We skid firewood, drag the garden, ride around the farm on sleds and wagons. But mostly I feed and take care of him - and I like that job. We're good friends and enjoy eachothers company. Never having horses growing up, but always wanting one or more, I learned to drive and take care of them at my Amish friend's farm. His advise on how to learn to drive: "You have to get behind the lines of a well trained team. They will teach you." So I did. And I liked it - still do.

You have to be willing to take time to know your animals, let them get to know you and trust you. Don't be in a hurry. They aren't. Always pay attention to feet, ears, body language. They can hurt you real bad if you aren't paying attention, not because they are mean or ornery, but because they react to sights, sounds, and smells differently than you and I.

Have fun. I've enjoyed my guy for 12 years and look forward to several more.

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01-24-2002 07:24:29

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Re: Animal power? in reply to Tom A, 01-23-2002 04:31:29

If you go to some logging sites on the computer you should be able to find a link to guys that log with horses. I would look for one near you and see if he will tell you when and where he will be working near you, and ask if you can come and watch.

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REDNECKMATT

01-23-2002 16:09:20

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Re: Animal power? in reply to Tom A, 01-23-2002 04:31:29

Hey Tom ever think abought putting those goats to work muck cheaper I have a book here some place to get all the harnesses and stuff if interested let me know and i'll look for it. Also there is a guy in NY that travels around in the summer and teaces plowing with draft horses I'm gona try and post his link. Good luck.

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Tom A

01-24-2002 04:45:53

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Re: Re: Animal power? in reply to REDNECKMATT, 01-23-2002 16:09:20

Yo Matt:

Yep, thought about working the goats, even have what may be the very same book you have. Problem is that they've grown up as the wife's pets...with all associated spoiling! I have 2 pretty well matched half-grown wethers that are now around 170 lbs each (and daddy was close to 300!), so they'd probably do just fine.

I *think* we're going to adopt a mule we've been seeing at a local horse rescue place. She was turned over to the place by her previous owner 'cuz he was getting too old to take care of her, not 'cuz she was abused at all. Had her checked over by neighbor who is life-long into working horses and mules and he says she'd be perfect for what I'm looking to do.

We'll see.

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ooops - Bob - KS

01-24-2002 09:31:32

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Re: Re: Re: Animal power? in reply to Tom A, 01-24-2002 04:45:53

Hi Tom,
Hope I didn't insult you with my earlier post -obviously you are well versed in animal care. I think I'm sensitive about this after a nice couple moved across the road from me, saw me with my 2 horses and decided they should have one. They went to a horse auction where a 'real nice fella' fixed them right up with everything they needed - horse, trailer, etc. Of course by the time they got home the drugs had worn off and unloading resulted in hubby at the hospital getting his arm screwed back together and the horse at my place all cut up from not quite clearing one of my fences to come join my 'herd'. Luckily all turned out well for both horse and owners but it was a rough introduction for them to horse care. So if I insulted you please accept my apology. The intentions were good.

Bob

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Tom A :-)

01-24-2002 09:51:32

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Re: Re: Re: Re: Animal power? in reply to ooops - Bob - KS, 01-24-2002 09:31:32

Bob:

No offense taken at all. I've seen exactly the kind of thing you're talking about, and your advice is sound. Maybe somebody who needs to see it will, and will then think twice about going into something like horses blind!

Tom

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kraigs WY

01-23-2002 12:12:58

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Re: Animal power? in reply to Tom A, 01-23-2002 04:31:29

Go for it, your wont regret it. Best to build a stone boat to practice driving. You find a lot of information in the Small Farmer Journal (mentioned eailier). If you get a chance to observe some Amish farmers you'll. Be impressed. Everytime I get to Indiana (to see my wife's folks) I get out to watch them farm. Its amazing how they get a team of up to eight horses in the field before the tracker farmers are.

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Bob - KS

01-23-2002 11:43:37

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Re: Animal power? in reply to Tom A, 01-23-2002 04:31:29

Hi Tom,
Not sure how much time you've spent around horses but if not much it would be good to care for and work with a few (with an experienced person around) before you spend a lot of money getting set up (IMHO). They aren't anything like a human or the family dog in the way they think or the way they react to things - and they outweigh you, are more powerful and faster than you are, and can hurt you badly if things go wrong. It takes a bit of patience and experience to handle them but they can be a great pleasure if you have the time.

my $.02 and all the other standard disclaimers

Bob

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Rich Davis

01-23-2002 10:31:46

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Re: Animal power? in reply to Tom A, 01-23-2002 04:31:29

Check out drafthorses.com, he does a fine job of training horses to work and to be useful for various pastimes

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John Ne

01-23-2002 10:21:08

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Re: Animal power? in reply to Tom A, 01-23-2002 04:31:29

check out www.smallfarmjournal. for draft horses.

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willyz

01-27-2002 05:50:15

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Re: Re: Animal power? in reply to John Ne, 01-23-2002 10:21:08

I think the site you want is below.

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willyz

01-27-2002 05:57:14

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Re: Re: Re: Animal power? in reply to willyz, 01-27-2002 05:50:15

Small Farmers Journal

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willyz

01-27-2002 05:54:52

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Re: Re: Re: Animal power? in reply to willyz, 01-27-2002 05:50:15

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LazyHorse

01-23-2002 05:06:40

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Re: Animal power? in reply to Tom A, 01-23-2002 04:31:29

Using horses or mules is definitely relaxing, but a lot more work than just hooking the tractor to the implement. Draft animals are a major investment just like a tractor. A good team will cost in excess of $2000, and you can easily spend that much or more on harness which must be fit to each animal. Another consideration is that unlike a tractor they have to be fed and maintained constantly, not just filled up when you want to use them. We have a large Amish populace where I live in Indiana, and its a lot of fun to watch them work their teams. Perhaps your neighbor will let you drive his to get the feel of how to handle them, it's not like driving a tractor. I have horses but not currently any draft animals. Eventually I would like to get back into either Belgians or draft mules, but money and the time to train are holding me up for now.

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jim

01-23-2002 15:05:37

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Re: Re: Animal power? in reply to LazyHorse, 01-23-2002 05:06:40

Neighbour has a team of Clydsdales. One's name is Bob , the other is called "Son of a #######" Once you've been around a team for awhile , you'll understand. Ask any teamster!

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jim

01-23-2002 15:05:22

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Re: Re: Animal power? in reply to LazyHorse, 01-23-2002 05:06:40

Neighbour has a team of Clydsdales. One's name is Bob , the other is called "Son of a #######" Once you've been around a team for awhile , you'll understand. Ask any teamster!

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