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Robert MoonShadow
Participant:rolleyes:
ParticipantChris ~ have you checked out the Mammoth Jackstock type of donkey? They’re the ones used for breeding the draft mules & are, according to ADMS standards, at least 52″ for jennys & 54″ for geldings/jacks. {They, as w/ all donkeys in the US, are classified by size, not breeds, as such} They’re pretty stout, and I know that there are some breeders scattered throughout Canada. They’re pricier than the standards, of course, but from what I’ve seen, geldings run about $800 – $1500 (american) and up, depending on training, of course. If interested at all, I can probably dig up some contacts for you.
In fact, I just thought of this: If you’re on a tight budget, many Mammoth breeders have ones that never quite ‘measure up’ (literally) to the height standards, and are gelded & sold at a discount, same as the over-sized minis. :rolleyes:
Just a thought.Participant*In an accent eerily similar to the one in “the good, the bad & the ugly”*
“Mapquest?! I don’t need no steenking mapquest!”
I’ll leave now, and ask directions along the way. :rolleyes:ParticipantErik ~ Thank you for the Prommata link! I noticed that the link didn’t work, and saw that the name was spelled differently in the email address & tried that: sure enough, it worked! {I’m about the sharpest cookie in the crayon box, you betcha!!}
Anyways, I got so into the photos, that when I came up for air, it was past midnight!!
So, am I seeing what I think I see?!? Whether I am or it just gave me an idea, I think I’m looking at (for lack of better terminology) a ‘universal’ tool bar that has several different tools… the frame/handles are a seperate (stand alone) unit; you pull up & change out the tool –> plow blade, cultivator, hiller,etc. Like putting different implements onto a tiller or my weedeater’s powerhead –> pole pruner, mini-tiller, hedge trimmer, etc. If so, is it made commercially? I’m talking about for walk-behind implements. Or do these people at that site sell plans for it? Or anyone else? ‘Cuz I think that there’s a market for something like this… I know I’d buy one (if I can afford it!). Then I could just buy the various implements as I have the need and money for it. It’d save a lot on shipping weight, too. If it’s not already available, then perhaps I just gave someone a business idea. I’m new to all this, but I thought that I had heard that the idea’s used for toolbars that are ridden (I think in an article by Eric & Anne Nordell) or pulled by a forecart, but haven’t heard it applied to a walk-behind system. I’ve got 1 donkey & I’ve seen mention in this forum about others with just 1 horse/mule/etc. –> this would be so sweet. [And I’ll feel so dumb, if it’s already for sale here in the States!] Anyways, anyone w/ info on this, PLEASE let me know?ParticipantJennifer ~ I don’t even know when or where the NEAPFD are… although I’ll take a wild-haired guess & say it’s somewhere in the North-east?? :p As for it being a “tough drive” –> ANYthing’s possible… for homemade cherry pie!!
With ice cream.
From a pretty girl.
Or two.
😀 😎
ParticipantI bought “The Draft Horse Primer” by Maurice Telleen on eBay for about $6 plus S&H. (about $8 total). The subtitle is: “A Guide to the Care & Use of Work Horses & mules”… and pretty much covers all the basics, although I think that Lynn Miller’s books offer more detail, they also tend to cost more. Maurice did (still does?) put out the Draft Horse Journal. I don’t know if it’s been updated or revised, but my issue is copywritten 1977, and sold for $10.95 new (careful so that on eBay you don’t end up paying more than the original price!).
Actually, Lynn will tell you himself that they both “stoled” from the same old USDA books & pamphlets from ‘back when’ –>, which, if you can find them, are very enlightening, if adjusted for modern differences. Good luck!ParticipantDave:
Too cool! 😎
and thanks.
ParticipantJennifer ~ I don’t know about packing firewood, but we use metal frames on our pack saddles to haul lumber into the wildernesses when building bridges, etc. We call them, um… ‘board-packers’ :rolleyes:
Our 2 mules (one’s a standard-sized, the other’s a Belgian mule) pack all kind of weird stuff in… I’m sure they’d haul firewood logs, but not much need to out west, here. The Belgian mule’s really too big to pack, but she sure comes in handy for pulling the trailace & stumps, etc.!!
Hhmmm… those Fjord mules (Fjules), now….ParticipantHow about a thumbnail description of them? –> Height, weight, color, temperaments, etc.? I’d be interested in knowing about the various breeds.
ParticipantI live in central Idaho; hay (mostly orchard grass/timothy/whatever’s there) goes for $130 – $160 / ton (round, 600 – 800 lb. bales). the local co-op has about the only alfalfa left now (January)… $17.50/ 85-90lb. bale. I get my (goat) hay same place as my landlord’s mule hay –> from his cousin = a jug of Crown Royal per round bale! I don’t know how much they weigh, but I can (barely) shove them off the back of my Datsum p/u by myself. Looks like timothy & some sort of bluestem grass. Mules, goats & rabbits are all fat & sassy on it, so… gotta love them liquor-loving cowfarmers!! :p
*says the non-drinking goat-man* < teeheehee >ParticipantI think I’ve heard of that song – haven’t HEARD it, but heard OF it. BTW, Geoff, I’m the Pirate-Farmer (it’s a one-eyed thing) & Dave (in Kuna in southern Idaho) has HeeHawHaven. I guess all us long-eared lovers look alike! :p
ParticipantGeoff ~ I know the old White Bird grade = bought a mtn bike in G-ville fall of ’07, rode it home.. ’til the brakes burned out coming down the grade!! Walked it home down the old grade –> think it took about 6 1/2 hours. I live on the River… on Doumecq rd… last place before Hammer Creek. If you know Hoot’s truckstop (Hootie’s my landlord’s aunt), turn at the next road & go. I haven’t been to the Lewiston or Moscow markets, yet; I sold at the new Grangeville market –> was the only booth w/ actual PRODUCE (instead of crafts, etc.) for the first 3 or 4 weeks. We’re in the ‘banana belt’ = it was 47* today; but then we pay for it w/ 115* heat in June!! 😮 I’ve got a busy spring planned: both this donkey and I need to learn the basics in horsemanship – I can pack ’em & sort of drive the trail ace, but ride/drive/train… not yet. But donkeys are pretty smart & adaptable & patient, so I’m expecting it’ll be okay. If you’ve got bad clay soil, you’ve got the solution right ‘under your nose’ –> compost all that lovely manure from your critters & add it into your soilbase. Well, gotta go check on a couple of (very) pregnant goats. Keep in touch.
~R~ParticipantDave, what’s this Parelli “game”? I’ve heard of him, of course, but never had much chance to learn anything about him (books, etc. WAY too expensive for this man to afford)… wondering, because the donkey I’ve got coming isn’t even halter-broke, but is a sweetheart who’ll do ANYTHING for an apple!
ParticipantGood to “meet” you! I moved up from that area about 18 months ago… actually, from that ‘not-so-pleasant-place’ out the on Pleasant Valley Rd., as a guest of the state. Worked at getting the BLM & IDOC to work together training burros (and mustangs) at the BLM corrals nearby there. Anyways, let’s keep in touch about working/training the donkeys & I really like the looks of them ‘fjules’!!
Ps – had a donkey named Elvis… got a funny story about his “singing”. too!ParticipantWell, Bonner can’t figure out how to operate his fancy new digital camera his kids bought him, so here’s the best I can do: http://www.trailbuilders.org – click on ‘contractors by location’, click ‘Idaho’, click ‘Bonner Brumley TrailAce Construction’ –> good pictures of our (his) trail ace & ground scoop in action… and yes, it’s as hard (and fun!) to operate as it looks… but in the wilderness = no motors allowed = “Mule Power!!!” {cuz I ain’t pulling the thing!}
The guy there is Bonner (sorry ladies, he’s happily married – as for me, however… 😉 ) & that mule is Stumpy, now resting under the pasture.- AuthorPosts