Heavy loads

There are two issues with this team, one is the frequency of work and the other is the load. It is hard to get them out when the weather is bad but you will have to make it a priority. With most teams, the less you ask them to do the less they want to do. If they know they will be working everyday they will settle down and work better for you. Most teams are a bit of a pain the first time you get them out after not working for a while.

The other issue is the weight. I would tend to follow the plan to ramp up the weight, but mostly ramp up the frequency and distance. If you are on snow with a sled 700 or 1000 lb is not much of a load. You might want to put some light brakes on the sled to increase the resistance a little, I like 5/16 chain just to slow my sled or stoneboat down a little on hardpack or frozen ground. You probably saw the brake discussion over the last few days so get something ready that is appropriate.

If you are hauling a sled over a snow covered surface a 1000 lb sled is only going to take about 75 lbs pulling force to keep it moving so it is not going to be a great conditioning tool. It is hard to be specific without seeing the conditions. It is mostly simple though, more time in the yoke, more distance, enough weight so running seems like a bad idea.

@Rod 15469 wrote:

I am trying to get my team ready for sap hauling and today it was nice out and the ice mostly gone so I hooked them to the 700# sled they will be pulling for a trial. I haven’t had a lot of good experiences with this team with heavy loads and today was no exception. They took off running after I started them and mostly ignored my commands. This same thing happened last fall with a large loader tire I was trying to have them pull so I switched to the stone boat with a few concrete block on it which worked ok. My plan was to keep upping the load to train them to the heavy stuff but winter set in and I stopped working them because of the ice and other stuff (too cold out).
Anyway I now need to get them into the heavy load mode and don’t have a lot of time. They will be pulling about 2000# when my sap tank is full and some of that pull will be over mud or dry ground, flat or down hill. Should I really put a heavy load on the sled right off the bat to slow them down or do I need to go through a series of increasing loads to get them slowed down? What should I do?

but if they are breaking and running you gotta stop that before some one gets hurt!!!! tie them to the front of a tracktor, truck, or dozer and say stepp up easy so they know you can hold them with just your voice! thats probally wrong but thats how we do it! i went on one 3 mile runaway with a pair of big blond belguns, that was enough of that for me we use a 4 wheel drive Kabota till we get them broke to drive theres no fight no fuss and no one getting killed im sure the folks on here have some better ideas thanks scott

Mitch, you’re so funny.
oxnun

I’ve found over the years that a quick team that you are describing also needs a steady walk as well as a substantial load (keeping a steady pull but not too heavy)at first. Limit the amount of turns and manuvering until they get wound down a little. After a good brisk walk the should be a little more workable. It does take a steady routine to get the improvement your looking for.
Another thing I’d like to mention from my own experience is not to get caught up in the perception to yourself of your goal (pulling loads of sap). You will get to that point after a steady regimen of slowly increasing the load handling expectations of your cattle, but not overnight. There’s no better way to handy and bond with your team than a productive work situation.