horse speed

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Viewing 8 posts - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)
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  • November 25, 2009 at 10:04 pm #41118
    Robernson
    Participant

    I am a complete newbie to the draft animal world so bear with me.
    I have seen some videos on youtube that have shown draft horses practically running while plowing…….this was one of my major turn offs on horses so here it the question……do the usually do that?
    Reason I ask is I have been chosing between oxen and horses and the horese seem to move too fast when plowing.
    ~~R

    November 26, 2009 at 2:36 am #55619
    Joshua Kingsley
    Participant

    I believe that ground speed is dependant on training. I have seen some teams that work real fast for the first 1/2 hour then when the settle in are steady for the duration. That being said, I logged with one team that was real quick and then I had one that was a bunch older and settled and they would work steady for teh entire day. Think of it like a young kid that is just starting to unload hay and the seasoned farmer. The kid will bull and jam for teh first load or two and then poke the rest of the day and the person with experience will tend to pace themselves.
    Just my own $0.02 worth.
    Joshua

    November 26, 2009 at 4:11 am #55618
    Donn Hewes
    Keymaster

    Hi Roberson, If you are really trying to choose between Horses and oxen, here is what I would suggest. Get around some working animals. As a beginner it can be difficult to tell if you are seeing the real thing or not. The best way I can recommend for someone that doesn’t know exactly what a horse or a teamster should be doing at any given moment is this: look for a teamster who works calm and quiet, always, and their horses, mules, or oxen do the same.

    Being around the working animals will help you figure out what you really want. My two cents. Youtube never got any firewood. Donn

    November 26, 2009 at 1:24 pm #55617
    Gabe Ayers
    Keymaster

    R,

    Horses generally are thought of as being faster than oxen, but they don’t do any useful safe farm or forest work while running.

    As a youngster getting started you should take the time to visit with some proven teamsters that use both oxen and horses.

    Where are you at in Va. maybe we can recommend someone for you to visit with?

    No media is like the real thing, go be around people actually doing this work.

    November 26, 2009 at 1:31 pm #55622
    Robernson
    Participant

    Donn,
    That is very good advice thanks:D

    FYI I am in eastern VA in Stafford county on the King George line. My neighbor has mules and I am very guilty of hanging around his place and watching how they…..well…do the things they do. However because of my Dad’s extreme lack of paitence with animals I don’t think mules would be a good idea. (I personally get along pretty well with almost all animals….my brother included!:p)

    November 26, 2009 at 1:34 pm #55621
    Robernson
    Participant

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IzGPU3zOus

    That was where I got the notion that they move a little fast. I don’t know if that is a traing issue,a handling issue,or just a bad day?
    ~~R

    November 26, 2009 at 4:35 pm #55620
    Joshua Kingsley
    Participant

    R,
    Look at this video and try to see the differences.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Te3LGOGp2fs&NR=1

    To me it would seem that the team in the first video was in need of some SWEAT… Real work and some time hooked to a load.
    Joshua

    November 26, 2009 at 4:45 pm #55623
    Robernson
    Participant

    Joshua,
    Yes I see a big difference. The first horses were practically running and the second horses were walking quite pleasently.
    ~~R

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