[jen judkins]

Well, Mike…I don’t have a seasoned horse to offer, but your 16 month old Belgian might be a great match for my 2 year old. I’m not sure I am ready to commit to another mouth to feed just now, but keep me in mind if you don’t place him. Jennifer. 603-763-5830

[jen judkins]

Wow…Carl…it is hard to know whether to cry or cheer. I felt the need to do both reading your post. It is a very important stewardship we are responsible for with our animals. Its not just about feeding them and caring for them, but it is at the end about providing dignity and brevity to their going. I’ve had only alittle experience with this (more than I’d like), and I have not been brave enough to be part of the end, except to watch and grieve and then move on. So my thoughts are with you and I wish for you success with your new youngsters. Jennifer.

[jen judkins]

I’ve been thinking alot about this notion that a small farmer might not have the time or the workload to ‘practice’ the craft of animal powered farming in a meaningful way. I think the point is well made and I certainly see the problem with not having a regular routine, which is so crucial to working with horses, at least in my experience.

I do have some small farmers in my town to observe however. These are people who used to use horse and oxen power much more than they do now. Like most older farmers, they rely more heavily on tractor power now. They do use their animals periodically, particularly for tricky jobs like pulling logs across the lake or out of the woods when the mud is thick. But these jobs are pretty seasonal and therefore sporadic. Most seasons I see their animals at pasture and though I hear them (the farmers) talk about working them, I don’t see alot of action. Now two of these teams, I know have only been recently put together…so we’re not talking about an old seasoned team that has years of experience together (one of them is the mother of my own belgian and recently put into work after a lengthy hiatus). Though the farmer/teamsters obviously do. For training, they generally work their animals on the roads when the weather is cool and the footing is good, pulling a sled with an appropriate load (looks heavy to me anyway)…probably a week or two each spring and fall. Occasionally I see them haul some kids around on the hay wagon.

My point is, though I don’t see much of a routine there, these farmers appear to have success doing a marginal amount of ‘work’ with their teams. Now it may be that they are simply benefiting from many, many years of accumlated practice. In any case, its clear that they possess something I do not…and that is a clear idea how things should and will work…so it does work.

In my own experience in working with any horse is that…it depends. How well any task works will generally depend on the particular horse, depend on the quality of the partnership, depend on the job at hand and a good number of other factors. I have a thouroughbred that needs regular routine work in order for him to perform well and stay steady. I also have an arab cross who I can ride once a month and still be competitive in a 25 mile CTR…its not ideal, but in this case it works. So in looking at the obstacles, I don’t think they are insurrmountable, particularly with some horse savvy and abit of determination.

Though the momentum to get a thing started can be the trickiest part of any endeavor, and I, like others in my situation are susceptible to the effects of deceleration pretty easily. I’m happy to say that this forum has provided me plenty of motivation and I hope to maintain that momentum forward.

My first project (once I have Peanut working in shafts) will be to do some simple, relatively safe jobs, like rake the arena or spread manure. Both jobs would take place within the confines of a fence (so seem like a reasonable goal for this season) and are jobs that could be done fairly routinely, at least weekly. So it is a start.

In regard to formal presentations…I don’t know. I plan to create a diary of sorts in regard to this project on my blog, as I have done in the past with many aspects of my farm. It may be that at the end of 6 months there is enough material there to formulate a presentation or a panel discussion. We’ll just have to wait and see. It is a great idea though!

Jennifer.

[jen judkins]

Jean, I am assuming when you say ‘wire and rope’ …you are referring to polybraid as the ‘rope’. With my solar charger, I had to ground with three 10 foot rods. Though that was in winter with several feet of snow. Its very ‘hot’ right now!

The most common flaw in most fences is grounding, so I’m told, so I would look there first. Also look for shorts or fence contact by shrubs. That’s all I know, lol. My belgian baby has shortened my learning curve by alot this year! Jennifer.

[jen judkins]

Thanks Rob, That is a great visual for me in regard to how to ‘cross over’ from riding to driving to get some things simply done. I think part of the problem of being on that ‘cusp’ is the idea that it has to look like the finished product BEFORE you actually accomplish something.

Gorgeous day….I have to go play farmer now! Jennifer.

PS…Carl, I’m still mulling over your thoughts…will comment later.

[jen judkins]

I first would like to thank all of you serious farmers and loggers for your input on this subject. I’m definately a very small farm…not just in acreage, but in time spent. I have a more than full time job, am alone and all the rest is spent on my small 10 acre plot (only 6.5 is really mine). I’m a worker…don’t get me wrong and I do way more than I want to. Well, not exactly true… I enjoy the work immensely and stay sane in its doing. But, if I can harness the minis and/or my belgian to help with the load, I am ready to learn. In addition, I enjoy the artistry in doing something well that can be done with less effort but more waste. In other words, I would enjoy having the neighbors gossip about my minis mowing the yard. I have alot to learn for sure…but I am grateful to have this venue to educate myself. It will be interesting to see where we are in a year. Cheers. Jennifer.

[jen judkins]

Yeah, Jean! OK…I will try, if you give it a go too. Where are you? Maybe we can join forces, lol! Will you be able to make it to the Field days in Sept.? I know it feels like a waste of a season, but we might get some inspiration there. Love to met you anyway. Jen.

[jen judkins]

LaNette, I couldn’t find anything on Mascot spreaders…do you have any contact info or website? Jennifer.

PS. I hate to wait till sept.

[jen judkins]

Thanks, LaNette…I’ll check that out. Jennifer

[jen judkins]

Oh..Guys! I am so ready to do this! Will there be a mower demo at the APFDs? I have two minis that will turn alot of heads. We live on 7 acres…on a hill .. on the main road. People already stop to watch me play with the horses (or their manure).:D If I can get my mom out mowing with the minis, I can count on being the kookiest girl in the woods out here! I love it! I can be a poster child!

However, I have to say I am totally what Carl describes…on the cusp. I want to do it (bad) but lack confidence. So lets go…anyone want to do a mower/cultivator/garden course? I’ll trailer in (diesel prices willing…yikes). Jen.

[jen judkins]

Hey, I’ll step right up to be educated, lol. This exactly the type of draft power I am looking to employ! You know I bet I could harness up my minis to turn my veggie beds….too cool.

So I’m clear…pretty much any implement you can hook to a tractor, can be hooked to a forecart? So like my Belgian could pull my little york rake over my arena once a week? Sounds like a great first job..safe too inside a fenced area.

Any chance of seeing a photo of your one horse cultivator in use….I need visual aids. Thanks. Jennifer.

[jen judkins]

I can’t believe people fall for the moose thing, lol! Look at that rack…how could you get anywhere with that! I do enjoy the photo though. Jennifer

[jen judkins]

Thanks, Tevis…that was very helpful. Another question…..with a PTO forecart…what drives the PTO? Sorry…..I’m really in new territory here. Jennifer.

[jen judkins]

Yeah, very cool!

For myself….I want one of these…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuNAL5rGMo8

You think I can manage with a single horse? Jennifer.

[jen judkins]

Have you seen this one, Drummond? Wow…is all I can say. Love the little babies just following along loose..I guess that’s the way to train a good draft.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9myuIP-8qA

Sorry, Carl…I hope you get into town soon:p Jennifer.

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