[Robernson]

I got the Storeys Guide to Oxen/A Teamster’s Guide (whatever it is, I don’t have it in front of me)
Not to sound compeletly ignorant but…
Howie….you wouldn’t happen to be in that book would you?

~~R

[Robernson]

That is really cool! Thanks Bumpus!
~~R

[Robernson]

Well it hasn’t happend to me cause I don’t have a team but… my friends horses were being chased one night by his neighbor’s dogs. The dogs went to the “big petsmart in the sky” which was kinda sad because they were perfectly fine otherwise. But still that behavior just isn’t acceptable.
~~R

[Robernson]

Sucked me in to Carl!
~~R

[Robernson]

Those are very funny!
~~R

[Robernson]

Although I am not as educated on draft as y’all I’ll still share my opinion.

I forsee that,in the future, the population of small farms will grow. I would also be of the mind that more people (like myself) will be starting to use animal power. From there I see a boom in animal logging, in an effort to clear land for agricultural use. I would like to see,personally,the timber used for construction of farm buildings but I might be pushing my luck. Then they would begin to grow their own feed and cut their own hay. I would like then for the farms to begin to construct ponds if possable for further self sustainablilty. Then, gardens would grow in size and more people will be preserving food by means of canning.

That would be my ideal outlook. My reasoning is that more people will begin to realize that with the ever increasing price of everyday items,they might be in trouble. Now take that how you care to but that is my philosophy. I would like to see more kids my age (14) become interested in self sustainability.Because(although I am the only one in my family to think like this) I believe that we are going to need to know how to do these things one day. It might not be us,or our children,but someone needs to know how so theat when the time comes we can survive. And quite personally I think that hard working,honest,and intelligent people such as our selves can and will survive,providing that we know how to do these things.

I will get off my soap box now but I would like to leave with these words, Magaret Fitzpatrick said,”I learned the value of hard work by working hard.”
I think that those words are very true and should christen us all with a certain amount of pride.
Thank you and stay safe.
~~R

[Robernson]

So,Ixy,any progress?
~~R

[Robernson]

Joshua,
Yes I see a big difference. The first horses were practically running and the second horses were walking quite pleasently.
~~R

[Robernson]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IzGPU3zOus

That was where I got the notion that they move a little fast. I don’t know if that is a traing issue,a handling issue,or just a bad day?
~~R

[Robernson]

Donn,
That is very good advice thanks:D

FYI I am in eastern VA in Stafford county on the King George line. My neighbor has mules and I am very guilty of hanging around his place and watching how they…..well…do the things they do. However because of my Dad’s extreme lack of paitence with animals I don’t think mules would be a good idea. (I personally get along pretty well with almost all animals….my brother included!:p)

[Robernson]

So how did this go?
~~R

[Robernson]

That is a pretty good story!
~~R

[Robernson]

Vicki,
I am in eastern Va. There are tons of Dexters in VA. That was why I was considering them. There are so many that steers go for $5 a peice and most people will give ’em to you for free. No joke! Can’t say about horned Herefords though.
R

[Robernson]

Ixy…Carl,
Thanks. Now I guess the hunt is on for either Horned Herefords or the Brown Swiss.
R

[Robernson]

Okay. Advice very well taken. However I haven’t found many horned herefords in my neck of the woods. The oxen crowd around here seems to like the Jersey,the Dexter and the Holstein. I will however keep my ear to the ground on the horned herefords but when I find ’em they are pricey!! Anyhow I’ll keep you updated.
R:D

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