Bells on oxen, what for?

[Anonymous]

I watched a video on Youtube called “Don’t Knock the ox”. I notice that the oxen had cow bells. Whats the purpose of a bell on an ox? I thought maybe it would help to desensitize the ox, making him less jumpy to sounds around him. I’ve put bells on my new calves, it doesn’t seem to bother them. It drowns out all other sounds.

[Tim Harrigan]

I think it was mostly to locate them when they were on pasture.

[Carl Russell]

In Nova Scotia they wear them when in yoke. Some say it was so the teams could be heard when working, such as teams coming and going on a logging road would need to know to get out of the way.

I know from personal experience that when there are several teams working or at a pull, all the bells add an aesthetic quality that is enjoyable. I think there could be some personal pride/enthusiasm factor too…… like headers and tail pipes on a hot rod…..:p

Carl

[dlskidmore]

@Carl Russell 30426 wrote:

like headers and tail pipes on a hot rod…..:p

He He… Shared that one with the family. The car guys were amused.

[Michael Low]

I’ve seen a video of the Ross Farm museum in Canada, where the oxen wore bells while in the yoke. They said pretty much the same thing as Carl only they talked about it when hauling loads on the main travel roads. They said that the roads were so narrow back in them days that you could get stuck and one wagon would have to unload to let the other pass. So the bells would allow them to hear each other from a ways off and then one or the other person would stop in a wide part, wait, and let the other go by.

[Droverone]

bells tell the other teamsters where teams are and can help tell you where and what you team is doing

[Head yokes]

On a frosty winter morning the ox bells can be heard 1 and a half miles away. Each set of bells has a tone of its own you know where the other teams are on the road and you also know who it is by the sound of the bells.

[oxman]

Chuckled at this one. Oxen are not to be offended by wearing cow bells. Ox bells were put on oxen for several reasons. First ox bells unlike cow bells can be heard up to 4 miles away (some say 6), especially on a frosty morn. Roads were very narrow at one time. Bells allowed teamsters to know who is coming, and where he is at. This allowed easier passing. Also, these bells would identify teamsters, what they were hauling, how much, speed, direction, is he ahead or behind, how long before he would be where you were, and so on. Can you imagine the utter mayhem not using bells. These bells were for the teamsters, but the oxen carried them. The three best known makers were the Langilles, Frasers, and the Morleys.

Carmen

[oxman]

I forgot what some consider the most important feature of ox bells. They provided many instances of peace of mind, not to mention saving lives.

Also, with the day’s work all done, one only needed to ring an ox bell with a regular rythym to bring friends and neighbours within hearing distance to a party. Hopefully, someone brought a fiddle, and cards were played.

Carmen

[Roscoe]

What is the different between ox and cow bells? Size, shape or the material?

[Droverone]

http://www.oocities.org/lkennedy@rogers.com/TheOxBell.pdf

This is the best to learn

[oxman]

The main difference is the distinctive hard knocking ring of an ox bell as opposed to a soft clanking of a cow bell, and the distance each sound will travel. Size determines whether it is a steer bell or an ox bell. Shape is very important. Material and thickness is important. Temper is important. Clapper is important. Lip is important. Has to be airtight from the mouth up. Other little things important too. Quite an art. This is making me want to get back to making more bells. One last bit of info. When the makers made ox bells they strived for an ox bell. Occasionally, one did not turn out satisfactory. They threw it into the corner and called it a cow bell.

[Roscoe]

The only type of bells used in Nova Scotia is made out of plated sheetmetal? For oxen as well as for cows, what about horses?
I grew up in Switzerland, where different types of bells are used for all kind of livestock.

http://www.swissbells.com

[oxman]

Horse bells were made the same way. Many of mine are that way. Also, for horses, round bells made from plated sheet iron and solid brass/bronze were fabricated. Swiss type bells are a favourite of mine to ring. They have distinctive, nice sounds, albeit, I have not seen one that carries sound very far, but I’m sure there must be one or two that do.

Carmen

[Author]

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