[jen judkins]

Thanks for the feedback, Carl and Neil. I feel quite lucky to have picked up a reasonable fit by chance. You know what they say, ‘better lucky than smart’ Anyway, though the collar is in better shape than it appears (the duct tape appears to be simply reinforcing a tear in the skirting), I would not do any serious pulling with it. I hear you on the value of getting good quality equipment for the long haul, Carl and I will. I was just overwhelmed by getting the right fit. So even if I chuck this collar, it has served a valuable service already.

Neil, the video was very helpful. I’m gonna take some photos of Peanut’s neck later. Maybe you can help me decide what shape he is. Is the shape something that changes, as they develope and work more? I’ll also check the collar like you describe in your video for rocking, etc. The tip about flipping the collar around to get over a big head was helpful as well. Thanks.

Josh, If ever a set of hames was made for this collar, you have them, lol! Believe it or not Paul wants this collar back at some point! Next time I’m down your way, I’ll call you and check them out.

Gooserun, Thanks for the offer too. I’ll keep that in mind down the road.

Jennifer.

[jen judkins]

Carl, Lisa and all, I suggest a yearly or twice yearly fundraiser. Just like Public Radio, be annoying to your users two weeks out of the year. I think the week or two following the NEAPFD, whenever someone signs onto the forum, they should be redirected to the donation page…until they pay up…whatever the forum is worth to them. I’m guilty….mostly because I am not reminded regularly that the forum costs money to run…and that I need to contribute. Weak excuse, but it is a fact of life…folks will do what is easiest. I certainly do not mind contributing….I just need a nudge here and there. I’ll bet your webmaster knows how to make that happen. Jennifer.

[jen judkins]

Neal, my hat is off to you and your horses! I just got back from 3 days at the NEAPFD and I was given the opportunity to drive a teamsters single mule…pathethic really, but what a thrill for me. I watched others show off their Percherons…eight up and was totally amazed! So many personalities to keep orderly, lol. I particularly like your philosophy with the babies, letting them run along loose, it shows a real understanding of horse psychology. Look forward to more. Jennifer.

[jen judkins]

Neil, Those photos are wonderful and your work is so amazing! Can you tell us how you got started with these big teams and the recreations? Its fascinating! Jennifer.

[jen judkins]

@becorson 2772 wrote:

also have an ancient senior -citizen ox (19 years old this november),

Hey, welcome, but man, 19 is not an old horse, let alone ‘ancient’, lol. I have a 27 yo still in work and he wouldn’t have it any other way. Jennifer.

[jen judkins]

Who would have thought my post about Buckthorns and Goats would be so thought provoking? Honestly, I am thrilled!

To be truthful, with myself, yes indeed, the removal of Buckthorn serves my goals as a land owner. I have thought of myself as being a steward of this land and have always tried hard to find ways to get things done with the ecology of my micro-environment close to heart. I don’t use herbicides or pesticides, hell, I don’t even worm my horses. I tread softly where ever I can, employing the use of my tractor sparingly. I manage manure by hand. I look for renewable resources and ways to be self sufficient. It means more work for me personally but it is rewarding to sit on the deck and watch the myiad of insects, most beneficial, birds and bats congregating on my property. I share my woods with Bears, Moose, deer and other less visible creatures. All are welcome! I guess what I am saying is that as a newbie farmer and forester, there is sooo much to learn and understand. So much to experience, first hand, that it could take decades for me to come close to what is ecologically natural. How many of us here actually know what that looks like? I admit my vision of a forest developed from riding through thousands of miles of wooded trail. Seeing that there was a trail, I suppose by definitiion, it is not in a natural state, so there you go. My vision is flawed. That’s OK with me. If I compare myself to 100 other farmers with the same acreage, I’m doing things mostly right. If 50% of small acreage landowners had the same passion I have for preserving the natural ecology in their front yards, we would live in a much nicer world.

BTW, Carl, placing positive value on one tree automatically places others in a less favorable position. That might not seem like placing negative value, but to me its just semantics. We all value some things over others. I bet your kids mean more to you than your neighbors kids. That said, your point about my negativity towards the buckthorn is well taken. I walked through my forest today with a new attitude. (Oh, Jason, I believe I ran into one of your thorny tree cousins, yikes, that sucker reached out and bit me hard. Luckily (or not) its not thriving in my area and looks to be dying, so it is now in my buckthorn pile.) The Buckthorn are, after some solid thought, a renewable resource…the goats do love them afterall. I’ve pledged to make a new plan…one that works with the current forest, not the one I envision. I’m sure a compromise can be made. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences, everyone. Jennifer.

[jen judkins]

Bret, I don’t have any first hand images to show (being night and all), but I did do a google search and came up with a photo as well as a workshop that I think I will attend. So thanks for asking, I mighty have missed the workshop otherwise. Jennifer.

http://extension.unh.edu/Forestry/Docs/InvasiveWorkshop.pdf

[jen judkins]

Carl, Your rebuke is well recieved (reads ‘got me thinking’ about my approach)but perplexing. Am I to understand that the effort I expend to irradicate a known non-native, invasive species from my ‘forest’ is a waste of effort and is in fact a violation of ecology. Well, I am relieved, for sure, as I have alot of other things to do!

I have noticed, for what its worth, there is a lack of similar invasives in Vermont, compared to my New Hampshire (at least those known to my feeble mind). Care to elaborate why (I’m clueless)? Jennifer.

[jen judkins]

Believe me, Bret…the last thing I want to do is destroy the habitat for the critters and the forest as a whole. Truly my only initial goal is to remove the invasive species. It has really taken over the forest here. I probably have no hope in hell of irradicating it as it is everywhere in my neck of the woods. But the truth is….it doesn’t belong in this forest, in this state, in this region. The state of growth I find these plants in, is technically natural, but it isn’t native. Perhaps the buckthorn will replace the Maples in New Hampshire someday and we can figure out how to make syrup out of its bitter berries. Jennifer.

[jen judkins]

@TaylorJohnson 2734 wrote:

Jenifer,
That buck thorn is a mess, I worked a wood lot with a lot of that in it. My job was to pull it out by the roots and then pile it in a field. I would hook my team up high on the buck thorn and then pull it almost out of the ground ( the bigger ones I am talking , roots half in half out of the ground. ) then I would re hook it close to the ground take a little different angle with the team and pop them the rest of the way out of the ground. I would skid 4 or 5 in a pile put a rapper chain around them and skid them out of the wood lot to the field. I do not know if they chipped them or burned them. Taylor Johnson

Taylor, That sounds alot more final to me than simply chopping them down to the ground, though my Belgian is not ready for that work yet. But sounds like he could be for next year. Doesn’t sound like you needed a logging arch. Can you explain the ‘rapper chain’? Thanks. Jennifer.

[jen judkins]

Well, contrary to their name, Jason, these trees have no thorns…and I am for sure counting my blessings now, as I cannot imagine the horror of an invasive species yielding weapons! Thanks for the perspective! Jennifer.

[jen judkins]

Jason, Thanks for the info. Yogurt? Who would’ve thunk it? I buy a fancy (reads expensive) probiotic for my horses…now I feel like a sucker!:rolleyes:

Jennifer.

[jen judkins]

Jason, I didn’t stay up, but I did Tivo the show and watched it this am. Well done!

I particularly liked that you placed an emphasis on the economics of restorative forestry. After what has happened recently in our national economy, I think folks will really connect with the long term approach to profitability.

In addition, I thought your horses were magnificent…including those granted out to your apprentices. I have a very long history with natural horsemanship and understand the scope of training you are employing and was extremely impressed with your happy, solid partners. There is a big difference between horses trained to ‘do’ a job and those who are trained to ‘understand’ the job and are happy to participate because they hold you and your decision making in highest regard. Really a pleasure to watch…definately don’t cut them out of your next shoot!

Lastly, a question. You mentioned in your eloguent comparison of a horse to a tractor (horses ARE the epidome of sustainability are they not), you mentioned that your horses get very little grain. Being a minimalist in regard to grain with my own horses, I was intrigued. All the teamsters I have spoken to load their drafts up with buckets of grain when they are in work. Could you comment on your approach to graining your horses when in work? BTW, they look fit and happy. Thanks.

Jennifer.

[jen judkins]

Your thoughts were hugely helpful! Thank you for taking the time…turns out I am doing some things right! Who knew! Lots to learn…thanks for sharing. Jennifer.

PS. I mowed the weed infested pasture a week ago…tuirns out there is plenty of good stuff growing there as I have pretty nice forage peeking through the ‘weed mulch’ already. This might be easier than I thought, lol.

[jen judkins]

Aww, man, I gotta get me one of those! You build it? Looks like a simple enough design. Thanks for sharing. Jennifer.

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