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Robert MoonShadow
ParticipantRod ~ I tried the link you supplied here again & it works, now (go figure) thank you – it raises some interesting points. Now I’m wondering if, with the narrowness of chest area & difference in neck shape, no withers, etc. if a regular collar designed for horse/pony will work without modifying? (proper collar measurement/size a given, of course) Or if just a collar pad? It’d be a serious financial setback if I had to come up with a special-made collar. I swear, the more I learn, the stupider I get. 😀
ParticipantNow that would make for an interesting thread (if it hasn’t done so already; a discussion comparing the various attributes of the different breeds in relation to working them –> as in what was said here about milking devons in the last comment.
ParticipantJen ~ Thanks for mentioning the ‘Training babies’ thread to Andrew… I hadn’t noticed it = I’m going to use those ideas on Dragon when he gets here; although he’s 4 yo, he’s a “baby” in relation to his training. Thanks!
ParticipantMatt ~ I think the idea of an open letter to the paper is an excellent idea. But if you do it, don’t forget to extend an invitation to the ‘anonymous party’ to come on out & “show you how its done”…sometimes getting that person razzed up enough, they’ll start to reply in print, too – which brings them out into the open – and if not, it at least establishes in the public’s eye your side of things. Because its not that person that’s worrisome… like you said; they’re not about to accept the “authorities” decision – since it wasn’t the one they wanted. But if you don’t publicly speak up with all the official details, I can pretty much guarantee that they’ll keep going until they do find someone to listen… like PETA. They might, anyways, but you’ll have established yourself – action, not reaction. That way, you’ve put them on the defensive, not yourself. Just a thought.
ParticipantOh, are you feeling sick? Here, let me take your temperature.
{Um, I prefer Robert, please}ParticipantTom ~ I agree on the cost – for the price of a well-trained work mule or horse, I can buy a donkey, harness, and several smaller pieces of equipment. The mules & horses are very well worth the price (usually), but I can either save for several more years while using a rented tractor or tiller, or buy a donkey & get going now. It’s what gave me the idea to ask about mustang mules… thought they might be a bit cheaper than the mainstream ones.
ParticipantBetter fight them now, or it’ll only get worse.
ParticipantDonn ~ I don’t know about considering myself a ‘trainer’ – I associate that term with having the level of experience to be able to train consistantly with a large ability to adapt techniques & know when/how/whether to do so on any given horse -> to be able to ‘read’ the situation almost intuitively. However, I CAN see myself as a ‘teacher’ – and I hope to be able to do so with this donkey – that being, as with all my animals, to just communicate what I desire to be or happen & help them figure out ways to make that happen, in the least stressful way possible for the circumstance. For instance: sitting behind a bush near where Fat Mattie liked to crawl under the fence, on a lawn chair & a good book & a powerful & fully loaded squirtgun by my side. Every time that head poked under the fence – squitch! Right in the kisser! Never a word or sound from me. Fat Mattie no longer crawls under fences & the ‘squitch’ sound makes her hesitate in whatever she’s doing. I don’t consider that training her to avoid going under fences, but helping her learn that she really doesn’t want to, anyways. I’m wondering if there’s a way to take your knowledge as a trainer and apply it to my approach to teaching? It seems to me that there’s a lot of commonality in the ways we approach our goals.
Manes – Thank you… that is exactly the missing info I was trying to grasp… the knots. On the company mules, we use nylon halters to transport them with, and what is known hereabouts as “draw halters”… leather halters that have chains running under the jaw – not over the nose as I’ve seen used on jacks for control… not as severe but keeps them from tugging and can be used for discipline. I don’t like them, myself. And about leaving ANY type of halter on an animal at pasture – I don’t do that. The risks are too great, and every one of my animals come when I call them – goats, dog, cat, and even the rabbits (at times). Not that I have a god-complex, but my animals view me as the source of all things good & safe – and respond to situations accordingly. The first thing I teach every animal here is that they can like me… and I think perhaps they do. I spend a lot of time & effort at it. It’s the basis of why I try to follow the words of people like you & Donn & Carl & others… the way you apply your knowledge & experience to your animals. Thank you all.ParticipantThanks for the link, Jim. So does the beam connecting the 2 wheels ‘pivot’ or ‘float’ up & down? Or is it rigid? Is this strictly or primarily designed for logging?
ParticipantThank you both for your commentary & insights. I believe that you are both right on – that the mother’s attitude will have a direct & major influence on their young’s outlook towards you. I’ve noticed the same thing w/ 3 of my goats: these 3 came from a herd of about 700, used for noxious weed control on the oen range. Human contact very limited – ’til I got them! I spent alot of time purposely working in & around the small pasture I winter my goats in. They settled down somewhat – and a lot more when they realized I was the source of all good things to eat (carrots, apples, etc.) The one that settled best (lowest in the herd rankings) gave me “helpful” twins boys = always right there, helping mend fence, rake manure, etc. The one that was wildest (had to assist the birth, which was a rodeo in itself!) had the spookiest of kids – again, ’til momma realized that I was the ‘apple tree’ – then baby settled right down. So, I see how that what you say makes perfect sense. I don’t think I would have the expertise to breed mustang mules… I don’t just throw them together & hope – if I can’t develop them, as you speak of doing, then I’m not a responsible breeder, I’m just creating trash. However, I do think that a purchased mustang mule or team could have a place on my farm, for the small amounts of heavier work the donkeys might have too hard a time of. An 800 lb., 13hh mule sounds very useful, to me. If either of you ever happen to have one or two calm ones like you spoke of that you don’t want to feed anymore, think of contacting me, will you please?
ParticipantUm, what’s a Mylar bit? And what makes them bring such high prices?
ParticipantDominiquer = 😀
Bob H. -> I’m trying to devise a way to pay for it… I’ll probably be back at work trailbuilding by late March, so there’s a good possibility. I’d ike to meet you, too.ParticipantTom; it did help, thanks. One thing – do you think any of them would’ve made decent work (farm) mules? Pulling carts/wagons, cultivators, mowers, etc.? Especially as part of a team. Sounds like, from your description, that they pretty much had body-types about halfway between their parents, which is what I’d expect. Again, thank you for your input.
ParticipantRod; I can never get that site to work right for me… I’ve followed your link here & other postings, when I try to use the scroll bar, it jumps about 3 pages ahead or back…:mad: Thanks for trying to help, though! 🙂
ParticipantJim; What is a ‘walking beam forecart’?
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