[Robert MoonShadow]

Dave: 😀 :p:rolleyes:

[Robert MoonShadow]

Dave ~ Arlington Heights, Mt Prospect, Des Plaines… “Hamburger University” {AKA Mac U}… Ooops! We’re hitchhiking on Melinda’s intro… [ Sorry, Melinda]

[Robert MoonShadow]

Henk ~ That book sure sounds interesting… but has it a translated version? I can work with metric measurements, but without English words to go along with it… {I’m just not mechanically adept at all}

[Robert MoonShadow]

Jennifer: Photos please.

[Robert MoonShadow]

Melinda ~ Maybe as a newcomer myself, I shouldn’t ‘welcome’ you (kinda like a neighbor standing on the porch, inviting strangers in), but just so you know: my Granny always told me that “Ignorance just means you don’t know; stupid means you won’t learn”
By the way, I, too, am not from the Northeast -> I’m out west (though originally fron Chicago)… but these people sure are friendly, anyways! If you just ignore their funny “accent” when they “talk”, you’ll find out that they have lots of good information – and aren’t shy about sharing it!! 😀

[Robert MoonShadow]

OldKat – If you know a pair of brothers by the name of Marek from up this way, they’re the same burros I know about down there. They told me about hauling some & was going to check to see if any were left… for when I get my own land (to put up that super-tight fence!). Actually, I’ve heard that in Nevada, many ranchers want the burros there: seems like they dig down to water during the drought & that helps the cattle, too.
Dave – Yeah, I know about the inmates down there… they only help w/ the sales, now, but while I was a prisoner there (got out in ’07), I wrote up a proposal to have the inmates actually work w/ the ‘stangs & burros… got the governor’s approval, too! Only need: volunteers to help teach the inmates, donations of equipment, and $$ –> although, they indicated that w/ the first two, they’d find the $$.

[Robert MoonShadow]

Geoff ~ “Food, fun,…money” ? hey, I’m not far from you: check w/ me next time = if I’m not in the woods building trails, count me in! Never have enough of any of those 3! (Keep the beer for yourself… I don’t drink). I also barter…(think donkey-sized anything!) every dollar made or saved gets me one step closer to MoonShadow Farm. 😎

[Robert MoonShadow]

@Rod 4905 wrote:

The one I have (since been turned into a wood cart) was very stable. It was an exact duplicate of the one in Millers book. The big thing with them is to not use in the woods or where there are potholes, stumps etc , things where the small front wheel can get hung up and flip you over the handle bars (which on that cart do not exist.)

So that sounds like having the front wheel removable would be just smart. Also… anybody have thoughts on two crazy wheels up front? Inset a little –> I’m thinking along the lines of zero-radius-turn (ZRT) commercial lawnmowers. Perhaps that would negate the problems mentioned here on stability/potholes/etc.?? Oh, 2 options that I will most definitely have on board: 1) Coffee mug holder => LARGE coffee mug. {need I say more?} 2) Right-hand side rearview mirror {It’s a 1-eyed thing 😀 }

[Robert MoonShadow]

@Ronnie Tucker 4879 wrote:

just use regular mules they are tough enough you are thinking a little too much ronnie tucker tn

Hhmph. Didn’t know that was possible = thinking too much. It’s why I choose to become a sustainable farmer… I like to think, and with the USDA being just a mouthpiece spouting the proproganda of the agribusiness elite, I’m pretty much left with thinking & figuring out things for myself… and asking questions on forums dedicated to dissembling information about sustainable agriculture >>> such as DAP. As for mustang mules: I see an under-utilized resource that might have possibilities for usefulness in the small-scale produce farming I have just barely started to do {this will be my second year}. I don’t know if it’s feasible – that’s why I’m asking my “elders” = in this case, those who have more experience in draft animals. I’m 5’8″ tall; I work w/ the draft mule here, building trails, but I’m more comfortable with smaller animals. Hence, standard donkeys. I’m just interested in knowing the feasibility of mustang mules. Their initial cost is very appealing & the Nevada & Wyoming prison systems have programs where the inmates do the initial taming & training of the mustangs. I thought perhaps one of those crossed onto a BLM burro… (or the $100 spotted jack I’ve got coming up from Texas! 😀 )
…I believe it was Descartes who said “I think, therefor, I am“

[Robert MoonShadow]

Thanks Rod! Great idea on the removable front wheel assembly. Is the front wjeel very helpful for stability and/or reducing tongue weight? I’m wondering what, if any, negatives for it are.

[Robert MoonShadow]

Dave ~ I’ve got a copy of ‘The Work Horse Handbook’ by Lynn Miller = in it, there’s a basic set of dimensions for a forecart w/ a ‘crazy wheel’ up front (takes the weight off of the tongue)… I don’t know why the commercially-made jobs don’t have one, but it seems like a good idea to this beginner. My landlord & I are planning on building one of these for me, downsizing if need be, for my donkey(s). I want it small enough to be used by my single jack, and convert to using a team when I find another good donkey. It even has a height-adjustable seat, for seeing over larger (four-up) teams.
If you want, I can copy & mail you the plans.

[Robert MoonShadow]

I’m not sure about horses (someone here, I’m sure, will know), but if you’re concerned about a single being too lonely; a donkey (and many mules) will bond with whatever animals you DO have around — even chickens! It’s why they make such good guardian animals.
{um, so if the donkey or mule gets ‘herdbound’ to some chickens, is that ‘flockbound’?!?} :confused:

[Robert MoonShadow]

Cherprit ~ I agree, we need to makes efforts to counter these people… so, let’s talk “How?” –> for one, when I get this donkey trained up to drive, I’ll do w/ him as I used to w/ Elvis (although he was only a pack/ride animal): I took many of my veggies & assorted items in a pack on Elvis, to the local domestic violence shelter. Always made a point of letting people know the efforts Elvis made in the garden. He enjoyed the attention of them kids (and not a few adults!), the women’s spirits were lightened for a moment or two (hey – if you put laughter in their child’s voice, you put a smile in the mother’s heart), and maybe a few went away with the idea of the value of a good work animal. I’m really looking forward to Dragon’s debut w/ a wagon!! This is just one example of how we can make an impact AND positive opinions of our neighbor in the community. ‘Cuz just how far do you think PETA will get w/ them ladies & kids, now, huh? 😀
So, how about it? Anyone else have ideas?

[Robert MoonShadow]

Out West here, there’s been more than one attempt by lawmakers to declare PETA a terrorist orginization –> some evidence leads to the belief that they are still associated with, and a conduit of funds for, ecoterrorist groups such as ELF & ALF. I know that it’s very hard to inform people about USHS… everyone believes that the local humane society is the same thing – sometimes, sometimes not – and that they just want to save the little puppies & kitties. I’d just tend to ignore them, but we don’t dare to, if we want to keep on doing what we do.

[Robert MoonShadow]

Jen ~ You get paid to read my postings on DAP?
“Kuul” 😎
*walks away mumbling: ‘How the heck can I get in on that?’*

In the interest of equality between the sexes: You can always come out to the SFJ auction in April in Oregon & stop by here. {Um, bring that pie with you, will ya?} 😀

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