[JamiFL]

I’m a newbie here so please forgive me if I do something wrong. I don’t own any oxen nor am I physically able to work them even if I could have some. I’m just trying to expand my knowledge of old time techniques. I grew up on a 270 acre dairy/racehorse farm in western NY State that was in the family from about 1760 to 2005. We didn’t buy our first tractor until 1964. Everything we did in my really young days was by draft horse.

Has any research been done to see what type of collar/yoke/harness combination would allow a farmer to get the maximum amount of power from his oxen and also be the best for the animals too? I’d hypothesize that a collar would be better just based on a few characteristics: Lighter; Fits better (more ergonomic); Wouldn’t impede breathing.

Just curious.

Jami

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