[J-L]

We had a dirty hot summer this year and I mowed and raked with four different teams. All of them had days hard enough and long enough that they were wanting to rub at one time or other. Occasionally when you’re lookin at your mower or pulling a clog out, that one mare would rub on her team mate and get her bridle off one ear.
My son worked one team on the #9 that were good, solid horses. He didn’t listen to the old man about snugging up the throat latches and had a bridle rubbed off. Good old horses stop and put it in park when he said whoa.
The horse flies here will damn near pack your horses off some days also. This modification seems like it’ll be worthwhile to me.

[J-L]

Now that is a great idea!

I believe any of us that use horses a lot have had a bridle rubbed off (or at least part way). I have a horse that will get hers half way off no matter how tight the throat latch is. I’ve had talks with all my kids and helpers about that situation.
It seems like this happens more during haying season with all the sweat and flies. I think I will get some bridles set up this way.

[J-L]

His harness is different than mine. My tugs are solid from the hames back to the tug chains, where his go to a ring first. Never saw any like that. More similar to a D ring style.

[J-L]

Welcome. I will echo what Geoff said. Stick to your guns and don’t be easily discouraged. Everything I do with my horses and mules is very rewarding and worthwhile. You will find that you never quit learning and that is one of the major draws for me.
I like Steve Bauers books on working horses.
Just curious as to how much ground you’ll have to be turning over?
I like your choice of Shires. I have a few and like them very much.
Good luck and remember the only dumb question is the unasked.
Wes

[J-L]

It’s sad to me that it was even an issue.

I don’t object to vegans eating plants. Why can’t they have the same attitude?

[J-L]

I’ve used both the box type and the Yankee or Mormon brichen. The theory behind the Yankee style is to bear weight on a down slope or when backing on the top of the hips. The box brichen does the same just under the pin bones down on the rear quarters. I mainly use the box brichen because it’s what I have most of. If properly adjusted it’s a good brake system. If it’s too low or high and quarter straps/pole strap too long it will pull down on your horses neck instead, bearing weight on the top of the collar.
I had to learn this having about 100 ton of hay to haul down my dougway most years. Bringing a ton to a ton and a half off there on a wagon with no brakes will school you.
My cousin and uncle stifled a horse with their harness out of adjustment. Shoved him hard enough down the hill with too big a load and ill adjusted harness.

[J-L]

I counter sunk the nail heads on my metal shoes for my sled and nailed the bottoms on with ring shank spikes (7″ I think). Worked good for a lot of years. The front and back were bolted through and I welded a few gussets there too. My work sled was 4′ x 10′ but was used with a team. Lasted 20 years or more until my brother run it over with a 100hp Massey Ferguson.
My runners were 3″x8″ Fir.

[J-L]

Donn put it well. Print that little blurb out and tape it to your stall. The man knows horses.

Like everyone says, don’t lose your patience and have enough time to get your point across.

[J-L]

Hell, the vegans won’t be eating them anyway.

[J-L]

I have a friend in NE that has one. They have the IH type and like it very much.

You see their big dump rakes around here on the loose hay outfits and they are good equipment.

[J-L]

I agree totally with you guys on the stub guards. My #9 is set up with three of them and the swather guards, good set up. Those stub guards give you plenty of lee way and save a hell of a bunch of unplugging the inside guards.
My outer shoe doesn’t plug all that much. I went and studied it and it’s set up like Donn describes, good and level with the other guards, with a good ledger.
I too noticed the little bit of fine grass left with the stub guards but I would definitely recommend them regardless.

[J-L]

Come to think of it, neither have I. Geoff, where are you?

[J-L]

GOOD looking mule baby Donn! Going to breed her back on the foal heat? Pretty late in the year I guess.
That is a good looking brood mare as well, what do the Suffolk people think of you plugging her into a jack?
Congratulations.

[J-L]

Good too see a valid comparison. Thanks for taking time to test them.

I set up my #9 with swather guards and smooth sections, it works great. Three stub guards on the inside of the 6′ bar works very well and gives you enough wiggle room so you’re not plugging the inside up too often.

I have noticed the stub guards tend to leave just a little fine grass on most every swath. Can’t seem to fix it, but it’s not enough to really matter. Have you ever noticed this?

[J-L]

Hi Wolfgang. First off, I very much like the look of your horses.

I would like to know more about your mower.

Welcome here.

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