DAPNET Forums Archive › Forums › Draft Animal Power › Oxen › Panting
- This topic has 23 replies, 8 voices, and was last updated 15 years, 6 months ago by
Tim Harrigan.
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- May 5, 2009 at 7:32 pm #40423
Rod
ParticipantThe other day while pulling a sled up hill one of my oxen was really panting hard, much harder than his mate. I stopped frequently to let him catch his breath. I don’t think it was the fit of his yoke or bows because both animals look to be fit the same . Nevertheless I made a few bow depth adjustments to no avail. And suggestions about what is going on here? It was a warm and sunny day but not that hot. The oxen are not in the best condition as I haven’t been working them daily which might help.
May 5, 2009 at 10:00 pm #51486CharlyBonifaz
Membernot in the best condition
may be you got it right there…..
is he rather well situated around the waistline?
no sick symtoms during the rest of the day?
elkeMay 5, 2009 at 10:12 pm #51471ParticipantNot overly fat and otherwise seems healthy enough.
May 5, 2009 at 10:16 pm #51487Memberlungworms?
allergic bronchitis??
heart problem???
little condition! 😎May 5, 2009 at 10:50 pm #51472ParticipantThe last three are good possibilities which I will check. I doubt the condition possibility because I was not pushing them that hard and his mate was fine. They are both about the same condition.
May 6, 2009 at 1:27 am #51492Tim Harrigan
ParticipantRod: The perfect temperature for comfort for the common breeds in the northern states is 30-40 degree F. In the first days when it warms up to what we think is really nice weather it is actually pretty uncomfortable for them. Keep an eye on them, early spring is a good time for Ivomec, give them time to get in shape and acclimate. He will likely be fine. Any chance he had pneumonia as a calf?
May 6, 2009 at 10:35 am #51470ParticipantI don’t know about the calf pneumonia as I bought them as adults. They were both treated with Ivomec a month ago. I have to look on the bottle to see if that does lung worms. The puzzle which makes me doubt the temperature is the faulty is the other ox is fine under the same conditions.
May 6, 2009 at 2:31 pm #51489sanhestar
ParticipantRod,
which one of the two was it. The “smaller” one or the other?
May 6, 2009 at 3:34 pm #51488MemberI have to look on the bottle to see if that does lung worms.
it should, if not underdosed…
May 6, 2009 at 3:56 pm #51473ParticipantThe nigh ox
May 6, 2009 at 5:12 pm #51490ParticipantRob,
I really need your help here :-). I remember you posting pictures of your oxen, one of them a bit smaller than the other, but I can’t remember on which position he was in the yoke.
May 6, 2009 at 8:31 pm #51474ParticipantThat photo and a second one are both shown in the photo section, shows a good view of each ox. The off ox is smaller but not by much.
May 7, 2009 at 12:43 am #51480Howie
ParticipantHi Rod
There are a couple things that could be going on not to really worry about unless you intend to really put them to work.
He is most likely not in working condition.
He is still wearing to much coat and is to warm.
He is nervous about what his mate is up too. Is the other ox the dominate animal when they are out of the yoke.May 7, 2009 at 1:05 am #51475ParticipantThose could be the case for sure except for the dominate ox thing . He is the dominate one, maby he is worn out from hogging all the grain.:)
May 7, 2009 at 11:33 am #51481ParticipantRod
I would say that steer has the same problem as I have.
He is over fed and under worked.
I feed no grain, and my near ox is over fed just on pasture. - AuthorPosts
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