[WVDrafty]

Hi Vicki! Hope you’re doing well. I appreciate your response and help. It’s greatly appreciated. Thanks!!:)

[WVDrafty]

I wondered if anyone has had any encounters with deer fawns while mowing with your horses. How did they react to that. Seems that could pose a problem to some horses even if they were used to deer being around. Thanks

[WVDrafty]

My mares will do the same thing at various times. I think sometimes it is in defiance when first taking off. Sometimes because they don’t want to be seperated and sometimes they are in a hurry to get back to the barn or each other. It is no fun when one is grabbing the bit and tucking their head. I took one mare around the farm for over an hour Monday evening and she drove like a dream. Hooked her in the barn and walked out quitely and the lines just lay between my fingers the whole time. Within 20 yards of the barn and she begin to push, and in the barn we went, so I brought her back out and in about 5 times to show her how. She walked in but not with slack in the lines. I was confident but she was too.

[WVDrafty]

Jason, thanks for the info on the bit types. I have been able to progress to this point by using the experience of others that are kind enough to give their two cents worth and trial and error. Thanks for all the replies. If any of you have specific questions to help me read these mares I will respond. I have both patience and expectations and it doesn’t hurt to get alittle work done in the process. Thanks to all.

[WVDrafty]

Today I harnessed up the horses and worked with them all day. I made a Doc hammill fake set of shafts and hooked each to that and went a round or two. Went fine so I put shafts on the forecart and hooked each for the first time to shafted vehicle. Each horse walked from the beginning and stayed relaxed. It was enjoyable. I will hook drag on behind tomorrow and get them two birds while working on turns and light line pressure. Carl, Will this transfer to being hooked as a team. Plowboy why don’t you wait and set out when I quit asking questions. Thanks

[WVDrafty]

When I purchased these horses they had been running on 100 acres with other horses their entire lives. They came off the hill when called and could be caught. They stepped up in a small barn and stood tied. The 5 year old was said to have worked with her mother on disc and mower a little. She led well from the beginning. The 4 year old did not. They had never had their feet picked up and only the fronts had been chisled down. They broke two halters within a week and jumped 5 foot round bales when excited. They would bolt from the barn when anything scared them. They did not trust nor wanted touched. That is where we began. I built stocks that I used to train to lift and hold feet that are trimmed regularly and or shod. They lead well and follow not pull. They stand untied for harness with no problems there. They will stand while I hitch to tounge calmly. I do this in a drive through barn with gates on each end. I can open the gate go back and get on the sled and stand for 10 minutes before I ask them to go. They will walk off for 30 yards and begin to want to go. I also hitch in the round pen the same way and the same occurs. I have the metal corral panels I can open and drive out and in. I get the best results for me and them when I hook single to a rubber stall mat with straw bale to ride. They first wanted to trot for about 500 yards but then walked on slack lines. They will now start out walking that way. I have them in a 20 acre open rolling field where they stay. That was the reason for my asking about working single for a while, How much will transfer to the team dynamic. I am not goal oriented I learned that quick, but I would prefer to work on line handling and relaxation while dragging the field or discing the corn patch and garden. I think the pattern in a more contolled setting works better than in open field going in circles for us. They have each done well, single, with the disc stopping, starting, and waiting for me to adjust at each end of our 100×100 vegtable garden in the yard. I will not yet hook them together on a disc. I work with them on average 2 hrs 5 days a week. I am doing this because I love it and can’t get enough of it. I have all the farm machinery I need to get my work done with tractors, but that still will not explain why I collect eggs, milk a cow, and raise my own pork and beef. thanks

[WVDrafty]

I am reading all your comments, What questions do you have that might help me better explain my situation. thanks to all

[WVDrafty]

Hey folks,
I have a back load of training questions right now for myself and my first cross-bred team of mares. I have no access to teamsters in my local area. Where and how do you want to begin this thread. I can supply the questions and will gladly follow the advice of the been there and done that folks. thanks to all for your support.

[WVDrafty]

I also recommend not locking down the foot while working on them. I have seen lots of pictures with them secured down tight. I have seen a horse come unglued and it aint pretty. If you have to trick him to get him in and shut the bars ,and both of you are nervous about it , I would work on it some more. I groomed mine, gave a little grain, and worked on haltering,bridal, etc without back bar in place. If he wants to move back, just bring him back in. After a few times and they were relaxed I then put up the back bar. I do not tie their heads down either. My horses had not been asked to lift a foot and were 4 and 5. The stocks helped me to teach them to give a foot and kept me safe. I never use my chains , top or underneath. I put a dog collar around and above the hoof , then snap a cotton lead rope in to the d-ring. Pick up the foot and place it on the rest and wrap the lead rope once around the rest. The collar slides and wont burn the leg and get tighter if they pull. I hold and the farrier does his thing. If the horse gets crazy you can give him his leg before he falls, then start again. I am going to make a long strap to go through the hole in the foot rest and hold not fasten that, then I guess I’ll have an extra dog collar or get another dog.

[WVDrafty]

Thanks you guys,
Like I said this is our first team of horses. We are making progress as a team and keeping safety as number one priority. The mares were fat in those pictures , but a little sweat trims them down a little and helps the attitude. Hey you know what’s funny we e-mailed about Rudy last fall just before your RFD event. I am no expert on horse flesh but the suffolk looked to be a good match with our mares. Winter came early but spring will be here soon. I do some work in Southern WV near Bluefield and Princeton, don’t think that is to far from your farm. I would like to come one day to talk in person. I know I could use a well broke team to help train me and them. thanks again

[WVDrafty]

Hello. This is my first post. I’ve been reading here for sometime now. Just thought I would post some pictures of my 2 Belgian X QH. They are 5 and 6 year old full sisters. Approx. 15 hands, 1500 lbs. This is our first team of horses. I am interested in how the crosses compare to full drafts.

[Author]

Posts