Hay rake debate answered by youtube

[Anonymous]

We just found some more land to move onto in the spring and I was debating on if my haflinger could rake hay single, then I found this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_-fMN7E5hE

considering the “harness” the horse doesnt seem to be working too hard, Im thinking my horse will be fine.

Jared

[Does’ Leap]

Hey Jared:

Keep in mind that the land in that video is dead flat. Hills make all the difference. I raked hay with a halflinger and a draft-cross for several years and there is no way either of those horses could pull a rake for any distance solo on my hilly land, especially after a good stint of mowing and tedding. Something to think about….

George

[Donn Hewes]

Hi Jared, I think George is right about the hills, but even more important perhaps, is how much hay you want to make. There is a strong movement a foot right now to discover how much can be done with a single horse. I applaud that idea for the ingenuity, and creativity that is being brought to the question. New and redeveloped equipment is being made, and processes examined. The only small warning I like to offer folks is be ware of the sour horse. I think it is possible to develop every step on our farm to use our single (or team ) to the maximum of their strength, but I wouldn’t recommend it. I worked with a nice older pair of Haflingers a few years ago and one of them was basically sour. I personally think that every spreader load, every mower trip was set to their limit and I think I soured them a little.

In the woods we teach folks to mix it up; after a big load give your team an easier one. In the field I like to work animals that are working easily and therefore are fresher. As I said earlier, I think the single horse has a ton to offer in the way of innovation for hay making and working in the market garden.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the advice guys, I was posting the video partially as a joke. If we do finalize the deal with the small dairy I will be looking for a new team. I am noticing with my “haflinger experiment” that I like the larger drafts anyway and that I will go back to a team. My little buddy will probably stick around to continue his current role, big hay eating dog.

On a realistic note: I am looking for a rake and I have only used the parallel bar type, I have never used a pinwheel rake, does anyone have any experience with them?

Jared

[Rod44]

I have used my Haflinger team to rake. You get a hot day, a long field and a little grade here and there and it makes them work. One horse would be out of the question here.

She sure did have the horse hitched too far out in front. The tugs had to be hitched shorter, big time.

[back-forty]

I use a 4 wheel farmhand rake hithced to the forecart and it works well. I was concerned that at the slow speed the wheel rake might not work as well as it should but it does a good job even in heavy canary grass hay.

[Author]

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