[mother katherine]

Thanks, Bivol. This forum has turned me on to the wonders of youtube. Didn’t know anything about it. Now, I like to watch any vids mentioned here and what I can find of my beloved Icelandic sheep.
oxnun

[mother katherine]

Ixy,
you are funny.
I’ve been on my nigh steer’s back a couple of times now and he seems not to mind a bit.
He’s a good boy.
oxnun

[mother katherine]

Moonshadow,
you are talking the old fairs when everybody brought their teams to compete with their neighbors’ for bragging rights in the village. That’s when county fairs were for the county citizens – both people and stock. Those guys took their teams right off the farm to compete with the neighbors’ right off the farm handy teams and these teams were worked in all these situations regularly -no specialty teams soaking up the suds.
My father used to tell about my grandfather’s team of horses. A guy in the village had a pair that he was training special to pull at the fair. He came up to show them off to my grandfather who was brining in a load of hay. Made Grampa mad that this guy thought his team was better. So, he piled on aload that the neighbor said couldn’t be pulled by his specialty team up the ramp and into the barn. My grandfather’s team did it. My father said those poor horses were right down on thier knees but didn’t dare let my grandfather down, and pulled the load into the barn.
That’s a little extreme.
It made my heart smile a year ago when a guy I know came roaring into the tractor pull on the same tractor he uses day after day working to compete. Of course, he only got a third place or so, behind the guys with the souped up rigs. Then he drove it home and went back to work with it.
oxnun

[mother katherine]

Bivol, did you ever get the videos from Kanfanar ox fest uploaded?
If you have 20 minutes’ worth, would it be possible to copy it onto a cd and send to me?
I have only one video of oxen and watch it constantly; I’d like to have something else.
oxnun

[mother katherine]

Almost any sport on tv won’t be the same as those of us born before 1960 or ’70 will remember.
However, when I was in Virginia for an ox symposium, I couldn’t find RFD-TV but came across some channel whose name I forget. Every night I watched PBR until I fell asleep. It was a good ending to the day. All day with oxen then the evenings with PBR. I was intrigued that the bulls get points and a standing for their efforts at “beating” the riders’ attempts. Makes it more of a contest from two points of view.
When I go to visit my mother in Florida I watch RFD-TV.
oxnun

[mother katherine]

Kids. They get right to the point.
oxnun

[mother katherine]

I thought I hadn’t seen your moniker on new posts for awhile. Glad you have the time to visit with us again.
oxnun

[mother katherine]

Rod,
there is an association called New England Ox Teamsters. How active they are, I’m not sure. I’m guessing they’d enjoy new blood with the energy to promote and carry out thses ideas.
Their exact web address is found in the links of New England Ox Supply, among others.
oxnun

[mother katherine]

Rod, don’t forget the LARGE role Hollywood has had in shaping ideas. How many times in a pioneer or western wagon train story have we seen cattle pulling conestogas? Yet, if we check the history, as many, if not more, cattle pulled wagons than horses did. People couldn’t afford horses, the tack and the care.
Think also of the rodeo culture (dangerous brutes) and the dumbed down/confinement dairy types. Neither of which appeal to the average person.
oxnun

[mother katherine]

Have you tried any of the Canadian breeders? Look up CLRC.ca to see if they carry the registration.
oxnun

[mother katherine]

My guys are dairy crosses, about 9 months old and about 500 lbs.
Last night I sat astride bRod for about 5 minutes and he stood there chewing his cud. I got off for a bit and got on again for a few more minutes. He was tied to the four wheeler and we had just finished a strenuous workout with the forecart and hauling pallets. His brother Bright was watching very carefully as bRod and I executed this very different behavior of my sitting on bRod’s back.
I’ve known these guys since they were born and took them home at about a week old. They began halter training that evening. I never taught them to drink out of a bucket – they were on the bottle until I weaned them. It was an easy way to establish a bond of trust and my dominance.
I don’t intend to to ride him/them regularly until they’re older/more mature structurally, but I wanted to introduce the activity to them gradually so that it’s just another thing we do, with no fuss or anxiety.

[mother katherine]

Ixy,
How old was your steer when you first got on to ride? I’d like to try it with my guys, nearly 9 months old, but don’t want to injure them by trying too early.
oxnun

[mother katherine]

OPh, my word!!! Who is that guy??!!
I’m from Maine and am very impressed
oxnun

[mother katherine]

Ixy, you’re my kind of girl. I’ve seen a picture of a draft wether and have wanted to try it myself.
I couldn’t make the link you sent work.
Keep us up to date on the guys’ progress.
oxnun and shepherd

[mother katherine]

As a novice teamster, I wanted Brown Swiss for their slow attitudes. I ended up with Jersey crosses, who are very bright, willing and energetic. From what I’ve read and seen in 4H teams, Holsteins are a good choice as they are tractable and plentiful(cheap).
Look for straight backs, strong legs well placed. Check for umbilcal hernias, runny eyes. They probably will be skittish but shouldn’t be crazy wild. Look for someone who’s alert, curious and active.
oxnun

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