[Will Stephens]

Easy way to install a beam like that for those that need to do it alone or with little help… build a 4×4 crib un each end that you can use to jack each end a foot or so at a time one side at a time or a 2×4 ladder with bottle jack one for each side. I run into this quite a bit retrofitting steel beams into homes/shops during renovations. Safe and easy is the name of the game.

[Will Stephens]

I think I was making it clear that what was of use was his ability to make his horse comfortable and to make do without stocks. I wouldn’t have him near my horses feet. The transistor radio ruined whistling and keg shoe may have done the same for shoeing. I have seen people trim and shoe by setting scribes at 3/8″ and trace on to the foot every 8 weeks and cut and nail. They never did figure out why there horses where lame. I would go further and say that the biggest component of shoeing that is dying out is the art of shoeing the horse and not the hoof. It is not enough to fit the shoe to hoof never mind fitting the hoof to the shoe. One must shoe a horses overall confirmation, work engaged in and conditions being worked in. Its an art, not something one learn in a 30-90 day school. I have been lucky enough to have two very good mentors in this field.

ps I am glad you read critically; it makes us all better.

[Will Stephens]

congratulations!

[Will Stephens]

The new video posted on this site of the draft horseman on Martha’s Vineyard has a segment at the 12th minute showing the owner shoeing without stocks. Everyone’s way is different but it’s a good illustration if your inclined to watch.

[Will Stephens]

There are two different styles of hoof stand. One for cradling the hoof and one that is more of a post style for clinching and rasping. I actually started using these on smaller horses first because the old timer method I first learned to hold the hooves to work on was too hard to get into position under a 14 hh pony. Then I learned the joy of not holding the horses leg up for them (or my standard bred who at 30 just would lean on me for help standing as his arthritis, age made it harder for him to stand long. All of my horses have been very good at holding their feet up for me anytime asked. Like Carl is always impressing on people, each of these tasks are ways to improve our relationship. I have been able to get off and re-apply a shoe on a trail ride, a horse that yield his/her feet well tends not to panic id there feet get caught and they need help to get out safely. I had a horse that got his foot caught in a hay bag tied to the fence when nobody was around. I don’t know how long he stood there yielding his foot to the haybag, but it was a while and it saved a potentially serious accident. I am not a horse trainer, I am not someone who is very experienced, and I am not being humble. Anyone can learn how to have animals that will willingly hold their feet for whatever you need to do with patience and time. If stands help the job go more smoothly for you use them. If the stocks make it easier for you, use them. If you enjoy the task more so will the horse. Just teach them in the smallest increments necessary for their comfort first. As an aside, a lot of horses would be a lot better at picking up there feet for owners and farriers if their feet got picked up and picked out more often. I keep one in my pocket at all times working the horses. They may pick up a rock, pack mud/manure, or just a good training opportunity.
Will

[Will Stephens]

Agreed Carl. As the novice market gardener/Barrel racer the trick is to find a horse inclined in personality/temperament to your needs. Without a good mentor I have struggled with this. An interesting side bar for an article on which is the “best horse” for a market garden might be the process one might use to find the “right” horse before paying for and bringing the wrong one home. I’d read that!

[Will Stephens]

On the edges of relevance but Seems like the right group to ask. Nature verses nurture? Is the “right” horse for the job you want to do found or does one “make” the horse you want with the addition to the horse of your time? Really asking here. I have heard people say “that’s not the right horse for what you want to do.” More correctly, people are saying that to me and as an inexperienced horseman, I don’t know how to know.

Lynn Miller says (paraphrasing) “whatever horse you see out your window that makes you want to be out there with them is the right horse for the job.”

[Will Stephens]

Jelmer,
It’s the lifting of the shafts/pole when dumping I would like to avoid. What I have seen around me seam to assume a heavy vehicle will be attached to the cart to keep the front (tongue in that case) from lifting.

[Will Stephens]

Jelmer,
The articulated dump body of the four wheeler is very cool, resulting in no real shaft/pole movement for the horse. Same feature on the three wheeler? I have not seen this feature so have been looking for a four wheel dump trailer for stability but I like the maneuverability of a three wheeler.

[Will Stephens]

Looking for logging work? I found this add http://farmersdraftclub.com/wp/newsletter/classifieds/ for a horse logger wanted in Maine.

[Will Stephens]

The slip scraper you can see here http://dochammill.com/?cat=12 is not what it sounds like you are looking for, but it would work for that and much more. Easy and inexpensive to make. When it is full of snow a little down pressure on the handles and it will float over the top of the snow to get to the dump site. I’ve been thinking of making one of these for myself for snow and paddock picking. I’ll send pictures if I get it done. Have do work on a mower I was given recently first. If you find what you want I’d love to see pictures.

[Will Stephens]

Does it look like this? http://seldomseensheep.tripod.com/morganfamilypioneerheritage/id130.html

[Will Stephens]

I often get asked by friends not from New England why the older farm homes are built right on the road and it is seen as a detractor these days because of the lack of privacy and the road noise. It is hard enough for people today to appreciate the relative isolation then and the need to see your neighbors. And it still isn’t really understood until you travel at the speed of horse.

I am just starting to learn to drive. I live in a place that is perfect for doing most of my driving by horse. Problem is similar to Don’s in that traffic can be heavy and in the congestion of summer it can be down right unfriendly. My current horse does not seam to have the confidence it take so I am looking for a team mate or new horse that is more suited to the modern road. Not sure I have the training chops to get him there on my own!

[Author]

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