Hello from Newbie from Idaho

[near horse]

Hi to All Drafters and Draft-lovers,

My name is Geoff and my wife and I live in N. Idaho, 30 miles east of Moscow (if that means anything to you). We have a small farm w/ 100 acres in timber and ~ 100 in grass hay. After dreaming for 20 years or so I finally jumped in and bought 2 Belgian geldings – Red and Ranger – my first drafts! They are both big (18+H) and young (5-6yrs) but have done quite a bit of work. They are great – and full of “personality” (read -tore a rubber feed tub in half while having a tug-o-war:eek:).
I would like to use these guys to do some logging/firewood work but haven’t done anything yet. Still rebuilding a McD Big 6 mower as well. Looking forward to learning from the wealth of knowledge and ideas present on this site.
Great Job!

Would like to contact some of you in WA,OR, ID, MT

[Jean]

Welcome Geoff, It was a trip to Idaho that resurfaced the horse bug for me. Took a trail ride up in McCall, just me and the guide, so we were able to be more adventerous. It was a blast and I had a horse within a month of returning home.

Welcome to the board, you can learn a lot here.

Jean

[Anonymous]

Hello Geoff.
Are these your fist horses, or just first drafts? what kind of timber do you have? that’s nice country. I’m just half a big state away from you, over here in central oregon. Welcome

[J-L]

Hello Geoff. Welcome here. There’s a lot of info to be had here, especially on logging which is a little more universal than farming is from region to region. The growing seasons we have out west can be pretty short in comparison to many other places.
I live quite a ways from you in south western Wyoming. Grass hay is my main crop, although I have 30 acres of alfalfa that I’m in the process of reworking and I plan on putting about 15 acres into oats and barley this spring. I work a couple teams and hope to get it drilled with them.
Can’t plow here because of the rock’s (I shouldn’t say can’t, won’t is more like it). I went ahead and used the tractor and disc to tear it up and am going to put the manure spreaders to work with the teams.
There are quite a few guys in Idaho that I know of working teams and a few that are doing all their work with horsepower. Every year I run into more people who use horse/mules.
It’s surpising how many teams went to work feeding cows when the fuel got over $4. I also saw more teams pulling sheep camps as well.

[near horse]

Thank you all for your welcome.

J-L You are right about there being a lot of folks in ID/Eastern WA using draft horses/mules. Unfortunately, it seems that there aren’t the “organizations” or groups that you see back east/mid west. Could be everyone’s so far apart distance-wise or …… There are a couple of plowing bees in spring but they seem to happen when I’m trying to get fertilizer down, equipment fixed ….. Just need to make time.

Bob H – Yep, these are my first drafts, although I have owned a riding horse or two in the past. These guys can definitely be hard on facilities – more like elephants. We are in prime timber country w/ comercial logging being the primary employment. In fact, I can hear them working the nearby canyon (line machine) if I go outside. Timber is doug fir, grand fir, cedar, and P. pine (Ponderosa – not pinyon). Usually end up with lodgepole stands left.

I also put up hay – grass mix off of old CRP ground that needs work. Want to get the horses working on that one as well.

Anyway, thanks for your responses and maybe I’ll run into you at the equipment auction in Sisters, OR:)

Geoff

[Anonymous]

yes, hopefully we will get to run into each other next april, and talk horse,near horse. just to pass it on, the sfj auction is moving to madras or. probably a little more convenient for a lot of folks.

[Robert MoonShadow]

Hey there, Near Horse ~ I’m new, too… Live 4 miles out of White Bird, 16 s. of Grangeville >>> we’re neighbors! I’m starting to use a standard donkey for my truck garden. I’m looking at land near Lapwai, so I can use the farmers market in Lewiston >>> or anywhere that I can find land I can afford!! Keep in touch? If we can’t find any groups nearby, like you mentioned, perhaps we can MAKE one??…..

[near horse]

How’s it going down in Whitebird? After this last 3-4 weeks of winter, land prices could be coming down a bit:D Unfortunately, land still is pretty rich for my blood here. Lapwai area is probably better ground than up here around Deary. Lots of clay with pretty shallow topsoil. Good for growing Douglas Fir not so good for tomatoes.

I’ve never been to farmers market in Lewiston but have been at Moscow. In fact, Moscow now has a winter version that gathers once a month at the 1912 building (that’s what it’s called). Not too much veggie-wise but other stuff (and people). In fact, I think tomorrow (Sat. 1/10) is the Jan market. I know that’s a ways from Grangeville but the weather should be good for a little trip.

How far from the summit of Whitebird grade are you? Also, if the weather is crappy and icy, look at taking the old grade (with all the switchbacks). It gets sun exposure that the new grade doesn’t – hence less icy but more winding.

Take care and all the best.

[HeeHawHaven]

Hello Geoff!

I’m also a newbie from Idaho….I will be getting into my first draft animals as well. I just got a matching team of Fjord mules from up by you in the Priest Lake area. They’re just coming 2 and 3. They’ll get a good start this year.

We’ve had more snow than usual down here, I don’t think I could live with your snow totals! Although, the lifestyle you’ve chosen does sound appealing!

Perhaps we’ll meet some day!

dave

[Robert MoonShadow]

Geoff ~ I know the old White Bird grade = bought a mtn bike in G-ville fall of ’07, rode it home.. ’til the brakes burned out coming down the grade!! Walked it home down the old grade –> think it took about 6 1/2 hours. I live on the River… on Doumecq rd… last place before Hammer Creek. If you know Hoot’s truckstop (Hootie’s my landlord’s aunt), turn at the next road & go. I haven’t been to the Lewiston or Moscow markets, yet; I sold at the new Grangeville market –> was the only booth w/ actual PRODUCE (instead of crafts, etc.) for the first 3 or 4 weeks. We’re in the ‘banana belt’ = it was 47* today; but then we pay for it w/ 115* heat in June!! 😮 I’ve got a busy spring planned: both this donkey and I need to learn the basics in horsemanship – I can pack ’em & sort of drive the trail ace, but ride/drive/train… not yet. But donkeys are pretty smart & adaptable & patient, so I’m expecting it’ll be okay. If you’ve got bad clay soil, you’ve got the solution right ‘under your nose’ –> compost all that lovely manure from your critters & add it into your soilbase. Well, gotta go check on a couple of (very) pregnant goats. Keep in touch.
~R~

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