[Ed Thayer]

Thank you for the responses. I was getting worried that I might have to seperate them or something. I guess once the pasture greens up and they start to graze, maybe that will occupy thier time.

I can’t wait for things to dry out. My front pasture appears to be the worst I have ever seen it in regards to mud. I have been keeping the horses in thier stalls at night to give thier feet a chance to dry out. Hopefully I won’t encounter any foot problems with them.

Think Spring,

ED

[Ed Thayer]

Hi all,

Just a quick update, Oz has been great with his feet. I think he may have needed time to get used to me. I have been spending time with him every day and feeding him myself to help the process along. He has been giving me his feet with no problems lately.

I hooked him to our forecart on Sunday and worked him. We would stop to talk to neighbors during our ride and he stood still nicely. I hop to get him pulling some weight as soon as things dry up a little. Our recent warm spell has softened the pasture up alot. Maybe I could hook a truck tire to the forecart and use that on the road until things dry out.

We attended a log twitch at Sanborn Farm in Louden, NH on Saturday. I was fortunate to meet and talk with Les Barden about the D-Ring harness I picked up for Oz. Les was very helpfull and eager to give advice.

There were 12 Teams and a couple of single horses pulling wood to a landing in a field. I talked with several teamsters and was given a lot of information. I was impressed with the amount of wood they pulled in a short period of time. I can’t wait to get going on my own property.

Ed

[Ed Thayer]

Hi Rick,

I am not an expert on the draft pony, but am curiose as to what your definition of pony is? Our Haflinger stands 14.2 and weighs almost 1,000 lbs., and is considered a pony.

Are you looking for something like that or smaller?

Glad to hear you have the desire and need to get back to what you really enjoyed before with working animals.

Welcome to the site,

Ed

[Ed Thayer]

Thanks for the info. I will try that tonight.

[Ed Thayer]

Thank you Don for posting those up.

That is a great shot of the two Haflingers and the other draft.

How long does it take for horses to figure out thier pecking order? Ozzie went from the timid one to the bully. He will run the other two horses away from the hay then start eating. When the other two go to the other pile he will leave the one he was just eating and go to the other pile. I have not seen this with the other horses we have had.

I guess they will figure it out or I will have to feed them apart from each other. There is still some nipping and tugging going on so I am not sure they know yet who is boss.

[Ed Thayer]

Thank you Carl,

That was exactly what I was looking for. Are the chains anchored to the runners by through bolts or screw eyes?

Ed

[Ed Thayer]

Congradulations,

I am envious that you will be able to share your draft experience with your children.

My son is 18 and headed to Paris Island in 6 months. I am a beginner and will not have that oppurtunity with him.

Hope mom is doing well too.

[Ed Thayer]

Thanks for the thoughts. Most of us have probably inherited some sort of arangement that we have tried to make the best of.

I am currently looking for another draft but will have to make room in the barn for him. If I construct a box stall, it will not have access to the pasture/paddock like my other stalls. So if I do bring the horses in for bad weather it will require haltering and leading him in. Not a big deal but something I have to think about.

Maybe it would be better to construct another three wall and set it up for one horse on those reare occasions when I want to close them in.

What I find amazing is how the two horses we have now have found that perfect spot to stand when the wind is blowing. Both rumps are upwind and the smaller horse will stand downwind of the other to take advantage of the windbreak. I can bet money that they will stand in exactly the same spot in windy conditions. Creatures of habit I guess, as well as thier ability to make the best of a situation given what they have.

[Ed Thayer]

Beth,

Did Ozzie find a home?

Ed

[Ed Thayer]

Thanks Rod,

You have the vet administer the shot’s I assume?

[Ed Thayer]

@Robert MoonShadow 5827 wrote:

Highway; The company mules do… but they’re mules, so…? On their winter pasture, I just pull in, and shove a 650# bale off the back of my Datsun p/u & cut & pull the twine. It’s a mix of grass types – I don’t think I’d do it with a bale heavy in alfalfa or clover. It lasts a standard & a draft mule about 3 weeks. {A lot of waste, but at $35 or a bottle of Crown Royal per bale…}.
Wow, how many head do you have, that 150 bales won’t last ’til spring? Even spring in NH?

I have the 1000lb Haflinger and a Morgan x Draft around 1200lbs.

Last year we did not harvest our first crop untill mid July because of the weather. I will be reseeding one of my pastures so it will not be available untill late summer for grazing.

Like you, I can get the round bales relatively cheap and build a covered holder for it. We drink Jim Beam here:D

I asked the question because I had heard that horses would not stop eating when full. I guess that is not correct?

Ed

[Ed Thayer]

Will all horses self regulate on round bale hay? I am down to my last 150 bales of 1st cut and was wondering if I could stretch it by buying round bale hay and making it available all day to the horses.

When I go to upstate New York hunting in the fall, I drive by severeal farms feeding horses this way. I do not however see this at home in NH.

[Ed Thayer]

I harnessed up our Haflinger this afternoon and ground drove him. Took him up the road and watched carefully for his response when our mare started in.

He was surely interested in what she was saying, but I stayed the course and kept him going straight. He tried to turn back to the barn but I would not have it. Finally got out of earshot of the other horse and he was a perfect gentlemen.

On the way back to the barn he wanted to turn in and head for the paddock but I gently tugged the lines and we headed past the house and down the road in the other direction.

We came back and headed for the barn and he did fine. He stood still the entire time I harnessed and unharnessed him and I called it a day. I was very pleased with our session.

[Ed Thayer]

This sounds like the behavior our Haflinger expresses when we put him on the forecart.

I will be interested in reading the other responses.

[Ed Thayer]

It is interesting they have an actual law against tie stalls. Never heard that before.

I do know that my horses will lie down to sleep at knight. I have found them this way in the morning when going to the barn to feed them. I assume they appreciate the space to do so.

[Author]

Posts