[Robert MoonShadow]

Carl – When you turn them, then, is it more of a right angle/pivot type turn? Do you turn them this way just when logging, or with a wagon, etc.? and why do you choose to do it this way? {Asking as a curious newbie, not as a smart-ass}.
Also, is a short-necked animal at a disadvantage then, with the heavy-duty type collar?

[Robert MoonShadow]

Drybranch ~ As a one-eyed man, can I comment on that assumption? I hate – absolutely HATE having someone walk on my right (blind) side… if anyone, they’d have to be so totally trusted… but even then – I spend alot of time concentrating on avoiding bumping into the person on that side. It seems to me that having the horse’s attention divided between where it’s going & avoiding stepping into the horse on it’s blind side, leaves little enough attention span to pay much attention to the driver –> effectively, a 3-way split. I had to teach myself to deal with having a passenger on my blind side while driving a vehicle… it didn’t come naturally – or easily. However, I would change things if the mare was blind in the left eye… considering the traffic issue. {I’d put her on the right, then}.
Just my opinion = horses might have an entirely different perspective, although I’d assume not.

[Robert MoonShadow]

Bret ~ I read your words, and from my understanding of them, it seems that you are doing the same thing from another point of the compass; polarizing & over-simplifying the issues. I live 70 miles from Lewiston, home of Potlatch’s (claimed) ‘largest pulpmill in the country/world’ –> when you get 20 miles away, you can smell the stink. I live in the heart of “logger country” –> and see the devestation of the “no-cut; let it burn” policies… I think both extremes are very wrong, and I do not believe the proproganda of either side of the issue. I think we can utilize the resources of this world in a sustainable manner, leaving the world fit & pleasant for our descendants, while enjoying all aspects of the countryside, without raping the planet. Gov’t regulation has it’s place… over-regulation doesn’t. How to have the one & not the other? Beats me. But I think it’ll have alot to do with the mindset of the general population – of which both extremes of many issues fight to capture. Whether it’s PETA or professional dog/cock fighters… Clear cut-everything-in sight & grow a monoculture treefarm loggers (and I’m not saying anyone here is that way) or zero-harvest-let-it-burn types… or tax-and-spend-and regulate-to-death Dems or don’t-tax-but-spend-a-deficit, no-regulations at all Reps… or any such polarized thought camp. I’m not trying to start a big argument here; I’m just speaking my own opinion – that of a middle ground on many issues – and hope that if any response at all, I can perhaps get people thinking about the fact that when we polarize issues & ourselves, nothing really gets done… ‘cept a whole bunch of bickering. I’m sure there’s some people out there that benefit from the general populace being divided like this, but I’m not one of them.
I hope all here truly have a good day… if not, let me know; I’ll let you borrow one of mine!

[Robert MoonShadow]

Wow. That’s a nice wagon. I, too, can’t quite make out the words after ‘company’…
Hey! Have you checked w/ Sam Moore at Rural Heritage? He’s got a column in that mag that focuses on identifying old equipment – I think he’s got a book or two out on the subject, also. He’s pretty good at it, you might try him, if you don’t get any response here.

[Robert MoonShadow]

My thoughts are somewhat similar to Erik’s; to put it as my Granny used to say:
“You can hear 100 valid reasons why you can’t (or shouldn’t) do something: you only need one reason why to do something.”
You can think it to death, or you can do it, Geoff; I hope you try it… and I hope you succeed –> if it works, I’ll buy one – or the plans. Heck, if it generates enough juice to keep a brake/turn signal type system functioning or charge a battery to do the same, I’m very interested – it doesn’t have to power my house!
Man, this website is just popping with ideas! 😎

[Robert MoonShadow]

Vicki ~ I wouldn’t call that ‘wordy’… I’d call that a d**n good explanation!! I’ve never even been close to a yoke of oxen, and I understood it!
Um, not that I could actually do it, but I understood what you were saying!! Thank you very much for being so concise… I love it when someone can ‘speak’ on here so others can actually picture it – not an easy task at all. I don’t know how hard it was for you, but I thank you for the successful effort.
Sorry, Rod – I didn’t mean to hijack yur thread; I just felt the urge to show appreciation for her efforts… just a one-man movement to counter the reent nagativity.

[Robert MoonShadow]

Actually, with this season of late winter/earl spring & mud – then frozen – then mud… I’m feeling that Stevie Ray Vaughn is most appropriate: “Couldn’t Stand the Weather”. 🙁

[Robert MoonShadow]

Jean ~ I’m glad you’re safe.

[Robert MoonShadow]

The two things I’d suggest would be shade & screening of some sort, to keep the flies, wasps, etc. at bay.

[Robert MoonShadow]

I don’t know anything about them, but I’d sure like to see a photo, if you feel up to posting one. It might also help others to identify it?

[Robert MoonShadow]

Geoff ~ FYI: ATTRA has a unique symbiotic relationship w/ the USDA… they are funded by USDA, but are actually apart from them. Perhaps that is why they are relevant & focused towards the sustainable farming styles. ATTRA is an offshoot of NCAT (Nat’l Center for Appropriate Technology).

[Robert MoonShadow]

Clip joined in on thursday morning (must’ve felt sorry for me & waited ’til I got some sleep) = twin girls.
Baby score:
Girls: 6
Boys: 3

[Robert MoonShadow]

Carl ~ “Gription”??? 😀
My grandpa’s reply to people saying “that’s not a real word.” was: “If it’s not a real word, it should be!”

[Robert MoonShadow]

Hal ~ I wasn’t insulted by any of your comments… and thank you for the politeness of apologizing! I was merely stating my views & pointing out that I don’t really fit into the category you were talking about –> nothing wrong, really, with the conservative or liberal ways of thought… I just don’t adhere to them.
What is interesting to note here, is that on this forum we can & do discuss – and disagree – on political, religious & moral topics, yet still maintain personal & each other’s dignity & value of opinion – all this while for many of us, we’ve never met –> yet Congress seems to have ‘a bit of difficulty’ doing so…
Again, Hal, thanks for the attention shown in your apology; and please, feel free to speak your mind with me – I’m not easily offended.

[Robert MoonShadow]

Hal ~ I have the same book – and am reading it now, also. My impression of what he meant in that text was more about a person’s temperament – for example, farmers that are totally goal-focused as opposed to those that are process-oriented. Get the field plowed in the fastest, most efficient manner (large tractor) or get as much work done while enjoying the process & manner in which it’s done. He points out that such a goal-oriented person can become fixated on the end results; that type of person would find it hard to adapt to the slower pace of working with animals. Which can lead to impatience… then frustration… and both the farmer & the animals having negative experiences from it.
Just my take on what he’s referring to.

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