[Lingodog13]

The book Farming With Horses by Steve Bowers has some good pictures and decent explanation of driving with a single or jerk line.

[Lingodog13]

I have to admit that having my horses come when called by name just makes me happy. My three drafts spend their time out in a big pasture with up to 30saddle horses of all ages. I used to have to saddle a wrangle horse and run in the whole bunch to get my team, but a few years back I bought an older mare who changed all that. I do give a scant handful of oats in the barn as a reward for coming in, but Duchess would come at a lope.
Over the winter I kept the team together in a smaller field with a young percheron mare and called all three names when I needed the team. The old gelding couldn’t stand to be left behind, and the colt just got used to coming when called and standing in her stall for grain (again, less than a handful). The old mare is now dead, but the other drafts still come in when I call. I think it’s probably the reward and the habit combined.
None of my saddle horses come at all.

[Lingodog13]

J-L, I got to thinking about that last night. Depending on the condition of that “new” #7 coming this way–If I could get both decently running, then put a dolly wheel on one and keep the other as it is then we could get a feel for advantages/disadvantages. What do you think?

[Lingodog13]

Now J-L, be gentle. I’m learning, not lurking! Until I have something valuable to contribute here, I should probably just be still. 🙂

[Lingodog13]

Oh, I forgot to mention that the reason I think my lambs weighed so much more was that they weren’t spending every day and night running for their lives! For about 5 years there, I never saw a limping sheep or a slow lamb–the coyotes saw them first. Now I have to doctor occasionally, but I’m not complaining!
Nonie

[Lingodog13]

Although I do have pictures of my Akbash, I haven’t figured out yet how to post them…. She looks quite a bit like a Great Pyrenees (spelling?) but is leaner, and faster.

Also, she was sold to me spayed, and so I can’t breed her. I would have gotten her spayed anyway, as I didn’t need every ranch dog hanging around. I purchased her from a large sheep operation nearby, and I am hopeful that they still have a breeding pair and puppies for sale.

Nonie

[Lingodog13]

I certainly agree with your endorsement of livestock protection dogs. I have a small flock of about 60 ewes and was losing over half of my lamb crop to foxes and coyotes. In addition, there were years with loose dogs from neighboring ranches running and killing or maiming the ewes. I either had to sell the sheep or figure out another plan. I had already had the government trapper and private trappers involved and kept the sheep close to the houses, but the coyotes would even come pick through the bunch in daylight. I bought an 8 month old Akbash (Turkish breed) female, kept the ewes in a small field that winter until they were comfortable together, and my predator problems–including the eagles–were over.
She did kill two neighbor dogs early on, and the ranch was littered with fox carcasses for a while, but my lamb sales have doubled and they weigh a lot more now. When she dies I will get another or sell the sheep.

Nonie

[Lingodog13]

The book Farming With Horses by Steve Bowers and Marlene Steward has both good descriptions of adjusting the lines and spreaders, and pretty clear diagrams. Look under the section “Lateral Alignment.” If your local library doesn’t have a copy then you can pick one up from the Rural Heritage bookstore or even Amazon.
Nonie

[Lingodog13]

Larry,

Where are you located?
Thanks,

Nonie

[Lingodog13]

The Horse in the Furrow was written by George Ewart Evans. I also own it and am quite fond of it. My favorites include Sam Moore’s book, the Bowers books and videos(I don’t have the multiple hitch one, but the colt starting one is excellent), The Workhorse Handbook, Draft Horse Primer, Haying with Horses, and the Farming Press Videos First Steps to the Furrow, Harnessed to the Plow, and A Man for All Seasons.
Has anyone purchased “Teamwork: a horse farming year” that could review it for me?

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