[jac]

I’ve never had to fit boots but the general opinion seems to be that the heat fitted boot is the best. If the horse has never been shod the transition seems to be a lot quicker..like 6 weeks..I have to say I was a bit sceptical at first but after seeing it work on my own team I would have no problem recomending it. When I mention it to most folks they seem to think all you’re doing is running the horses with no shoes..not so…totaly different trim to what our farrier calls a pasture trim..
John

[jac]

Its western box breeching harness I use and any time I need to hitch a single I just use 2 extra straps.. one each side. these go around the shafts at the back pad line and up onto the buckle on the pad. these should only be to hold up the shafts. The quarter straps then come forward to steel loops on the underside of the shaft about 12″ back from the back pad to act as hold backs. traces then go to a singletree set at the required height on the implement/vehicle. Dont forget a belly band from the two shafts for reversing.. The shafrs should be about 3′ 2″ at the rear, tapering to about 2’4″ at the shoulder and idealy sweeping out and down at the ends..
John

[jac]

Erik you’re wagon is shaping up great. It is very similar to the light delivery vans used by the railway companies in the UK in the early 20th century. Are you cutting a round or oval window at the drivers station ?.What will you seal the roof with, I think the early ones had canvas bonded to wood.. im not sure how they were sealed it though..
John

[jac]

We have 5 Clydes.. 2 aged geldings, An 11yrs mare her 5yrs filly and 3yrs son {gelded}.. I have been trying the “barefoot trim” on the mare and daughter as done by Pete Ramey and have to say it works for me.. they do a mixture of field and road work and the feet have never looked better. Also because the heels are kept well down and the toe backed up I think it helps with the cpl issue these Clydes have as I feel it opens up the heels and thus improves the pump effect to help drain the endemas. I plan to gradualy change them all over to it.. As I say “It works for ME “.
John

[jac]

You can get hard rubber “tyres” on wooden wheels too. They look ok. Doug Hanson does them ..
John

[jac]

Or “Bake ‘n’ Roll”..
John

[jac]

It probably is but my steam powered computer wont open the link..tried 3 times and keep getting a message that “internet explorer has stopped working”.. :o..
John

[jac]

Hi Denise.. Im sorry cant find that article..and im as much use as a chocolate fire guard when it comes to these computers… Help Donn !!!!..
John

[jac]

I cant offer any advice on logging as all the timber work I do is our own fire wood but what I will say is try not to go down the stronger bit and curb chain if you can realy help it.. you will slow him for a while but unless the underlying problem is addressed he will just pull stronger again .. Check out a thread on this forum that was posted by Donn Hewes regards pressure release.. At least I think it was here.. it was definately in SFJ..I had a puller and tried the pressure release and it worked.. now have all 4 on plain ring and no curb chain.. also dont need roller skates on my knuckles any more:D good luck..
John

[jac]

Reb I can assure you that ranting is not just a Maine thing.. dont get me started on milk prices :D.. Seems you guys have the same problems we do… Just last week a 250 acre farm, that one of the”big” guys had been forced to sell because he got in too deep with the bank . It was bought by a guy that owns a large sports shop chain as an “investment” and promptly rented it back to the guy that nearly went bust !!!!. rather than give someone else a crack at it {me perhaps}…I feel another rant commin on..better cool it before I get to the horses..
John

[jac]

Hi George thats a handy looking team with decent fuel tanks.. We have Clydes and a lot of the modern Clydes have what we call a “herring gut”.. no fuel tank.. ok for a quick lap or 2 of a show ring with an empty wagon but not for a days drag harrowing..I try to breed the old fashioned type and your horses are what Id call the proper farm horse type.. We dont corn either btw…
John

[jac]

Andy if you check out Sam Moores book on horse equipment he lists different draft on a 5′ cutter bar ranging from 455-478 for a knife in good condition thru to 531-718 for a cutter bar with dull knives, bent buards and rubbing ledger plates..Would smaller rubber tyred wheels not be inclined to slip more easilly ?There is a conversion for the rubber tyred wheels that allows a larger dia. steel wheel to bolt on to the spiders and increase the knife speed.. Your’re right Geoff..I think some times we try too much and should go with gut feeling and watch the team. As you say, get it in dry.. I think the hay in years gone by had a lot more Tomothy grass which modern silage cuts kills off..
John

[jac]

Thanks guys. Great info. We’ll be cutting from bout 3 in the afternoon then…With a 1920s Albion mower with a 4′ 6″ cutter bar and turn it with a Dickie turner made just up the road about 60 years ago:cool: and cart the lot in loose…
John

[jac]

Lynn Miller is quoted in his draft horse hand book that unless you grow you’re own horse feed, you may never benefit from the true value of draft horses.. I think he may be right.. I would like to think a team on 70cwt of grain a year would be used more than occasionaly but I see what you mean..
John

[jac]

Good thoughts you guys.. I hadnt looked at it that way. I think youre right that we are perhaps trying to recreate an “ideal”. Looking back at our own small farm, grandfather had 4 sons who would not be paid a proper wage as such, numerous grandchildren doing chores because it was fun all helped that small family farm.Hay time saw a few retired miners decend on the farm to help. Sheep shearing time had Uncle William away helping neighbours who returned the favour..no money ever changed hands… Same farm now has Uncle Alex at home doing most of the work himself with contractors at silage time.. dairy gone and a small beef herd now.. Aunt Jannete and cousin John both work off farm..
John

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