How powerful are Mules Oxen and Horses

[NC Woods]

I’m trying to figure how much driving force different draft animals have. If had an ox push a ten foot pole around a pivot, how many foot/pounds would I have? Same for a horse and mule.

Also what speed can theses animals maintain?

Any best guesses would be appreciated! Thanks,

[Carl Russell]

Some of these questions have been answered in other threads, but the question of relative power is complex.

Animals of different sizes, obviously have different potential for foot/pound exertion. But a ton horse, or a calf, standing still, have no power. There is potential power, and that is quite different, but to apply that power takes skill on the part of the teamster, and conditioning of the animal. Some people can get a huge amount of power out of cattle, and others the same from horses, and mules of equal body weight. That is why there are pulling contests. Depending on what you expect to do at the other end of that 10 foot pole, I’m sure that horse, mule, or ox would work.

There are probably others on this site who know things such as the average percentage of body weight that an animal can be expected to pull, but I never keep track of those things. I generally just pay attention to how well my animals are doing with the load they are moving, and work from there. The same goes for traveling speed. I have little need for those numbers, but I know there are those who do, and they can answer those questions.

Carl

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