[Vicki]

I described this on the Rural Heritage front porch, and posted photos in the Photo Gallery here under “Equipment.” Thanks, Carl, for letting me know they are called bridle chains.

[Vicki]

How can a body not LOVE cattle?!? Your telling made it clear in my mind exactly what happened. Stormy obviously trusts you and your leadership. And is smart! You should start working him!

I have been amazed at the docility and trust of steers who have gotten in a jackpot, and wait patiently for you to help them out. I have two big stuck ox “rescue” stories, not as dramatic as Stormie’s, (I was ready to call for a cutting torch in a blizzard at night because of a round bale feeder section and a Dutch Belted’s head, and dug out a shorthorn who somehow got upside down with his horn buried in mud–I was certain at first he was dead) so I understand the exhiliration and pride and wonder you feel afterwards.

I read in an old SFJ about an old oxman in Maine who trucked his big boys to logging sites. Somehow, almost miraculously, they could turn themselves 180 degrees in the truck to face the back and come out, which amazed onlookers.

Thanks for telling, OldKat.

I knew an ox team that was Holstein/Limmy, trained by Brandt Ainsworth. Very handsome, very powerful, very smart critters. Brandt actually let me pull them in the powderpuff pull at Fryeburg fair. They did great, and could have done better had i driven them better. That was a thrill of a lifetime!

[Vicki]

Brass knobs on dexters look terrific!

[Vicki]

Robernson, if you find horned Herefords or Dexters, let me know. Where are you?

[Vicki]

Best piece of advice I can give you: take Howie’s advice very seriously.

If you have Swiss and like Swiss and can accommodate a very large ox, Swiss is great to start with. I would not let him run with the herd if the herd is untrained until he learns to respect and respond to you.

I think 16% is more protein than you need for a growing working steer. They don’t have to grow real fast if you intend to keep them for ten years or more. He won’t need a concentrate at all after a year if he’s in good health with decent hay.

After two months or so, they can pull brush, a car tire, a small sled with a little manure or firewood or bale of hay, etc.

Fasten two straight sticks at right angles, place against the calf’s neck just behind the ears; place another stick vertical against the other side of neck, make a mark where the second stick intersects the horizontal, measure, add about 1″ for a young animal=size of bow.

Get Les Barden’s “Training the Teamster” from NE Ox Supply, and Ray Ludwig’s “Pride & Joy of Working Cattle.”

Have fun! Keep us posted on you and the calves.

Congratulations on embarking on the great ox journey. You never know where it might lead. . .

[Vicki]

Charly, I didn’t even know those were on the web! That is Bill’s big old ox that he took on several Oregon Trail reenactments. Nice set of photos. Thanks.

[Vicki]

I should have told you all that MODA is transitioning to a new website: http://www.midwestoxdrovers.com

The old site http://www.moda.us is still up until the end of 2009.

Charly, if the photo you mention is of the big Dutch Belted ox, that is the ox after having been cast (put down by causing temporary paralysis of rear legs)using a rope to put pressure on the nerves over the spine, so that the owner could trim a hoof. The practice is historic and does not harm the ox. Someone has to keep holding the rope to keep pressure against the nerves until you want to allow the ox to get up again.

[Vicki]

Thank you, Bradbury. I simply measure from the point back to the heel. OK

[Vicki]

Here’s a question that reveals how much I don’t understand: How/what does one measure to determine the size of the plow? Please advise me.

[Vicki]

I have a very similar plow, pretty small. I don’t know why the holes are in the end of the beam. Might need a new point on that, if it is worn real short.

I have a potato plow, which has the rods behind it that clunk up and down to shake the soil from the spuds. Never used because it needs a new handle. It has something on the beam that looks like a spool for string. I wondered if bags were put on the back and when full, the farmer would stop and tie the bags somehow from the string. Can someone tell me what is is?

I also have a middle buster plow that is used to make furrows and for hilling. It has the adjustable wings; wooden beam on that. Sounds like that’s what you saw where you bought your plow. The oxen did pull it one year to unearth a couple long rows of potatoes which I then hand collected.

[Vicki]

[ATTACH]703.jpg” />

[ATTACH]704.jpg” />This is the plow modified from the Amish Pioneer design, for local conditions in northern Uganda, by Bob Okello and Tillers International. They marked it to help us understand how to use the regulators.

[Vicki]

Farmer Brown suggests a cup wire brush for scouring the share. Sounds like you have a vertical and a horizontal regulator on the plow, which is good. The horizontal regulator will affect the width of the furrow and needs to be adjusted in the proper line of draft from the point of draft on the plow to your ox yoke ring. Others will be more qualified to explain it than I.

Great winter project!

[Vicki]

A few years ago at my county fair, I saw a young lady in a beautiful costume, looking Alpine to me, driving a large sheep pulling a small cart, through the crowds. I could not stop to talk at the time. Wish I knew more about her and her trained sheep.

[Vicki]

Looks cherry to me, having had dendrology oh so many years ago, and living in hardwood lumber country, and being a firewood cutter. Old cherry will often have that distinct aroma that I love when you chainsaw it. Good firewood. Look like ants ruined the good heartwood.

[Vicki]

How I would love to come to these events! But it is pretty far for me. I have not seen Drew for years either, except at Williamsburg last year. I was at Tillers for a small Ox Driving Clinic last week which was terrific. But I love the New England drovers and miss you ladies too.

[Author]

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