Need advice.

[Rod]

Since this is a “need advice” thread I think any type of question along these lines is appropriate. In fact I have a new one. My horses have a bad habit of rubbing their bridles on each other and on the draw bar and lines when stopped. I don’t like it because they can easily get tangled up doing that and it’s just not good manners. It’s not the bridle fit or flies because they don’t do it when tied up separately only when tied together. Any comments, observations or advice?

[Jim Ostergard]

My lines for the arch are long enough so I can stand a few feet behind it. This really helps when backing up to a butt. Then when hooking up I can lay the lines over the top of the arch and have them hanging within hand reach while hooking up. Most days I probably don’t keep them so close but the first few days on a job I do. There is a jpeg of my arch in the gallery from this spring. It a walking beam type so is a little longer than some others. Again I think it really a matter of working the horse the same all the time. I’m pretty lucky with Rusty. He is old and knowledgable and for the most part laid back.
Jim O.

[Gabe Ayers]

Rod,

We experience that tongue weight causes a lot of head rubbing on each other and the breast yoke. So keeping the tongue weight off their necks by using the d-ring harness helps. Sometimes habits are developed and it takes time to break those habits and create a different behavior from horses. Rubbing and fidgeting is a worry that does cause problems with the lines getting caught up and the a potential loss of control of your animals.

[Rod]

That’s interesting because previously this pair had that type of harness which put the tongue weight onto the collars. It could be they developed this habit before I switched them to the “D” ring.
Do you think any type of checks would help? Since it’s always to the inside that they rub and toss around I was thinking about a rope on each outside halter worn under the bridle, that I could yank on when they did it, sort of a training device? Or do you think they will stop the habit eventually now that the neck load is off?

[ngcmcn]

Rod,

The fidget rubbing around on the breast yoke pole etc. has always perplexed me a bit. My stead fast belgian gelding never did it, but his team mate, a mare always did. I don’t know why.? I always thought it was mares that did it. The percheron mares i have now one of them does it, the other doesn’t. Its a pain. Your ready to go then realize the reins are around the pony yoke on the D-Ring. Even when working hard she gets ancy and starts rubbing. i don’t think its the tack either. This mare is seven or so and up until recently, was a bit pushy, but not bad. She’d never stay at your shoulder, would always gain a step ahead of you as you lead her, and the guy i got her from said as a two year old was always trying to be at the top of the pecking order with in a large group of horses he had. So we’ve been working on it. When i lead her if she evn gets a little ahead of me I either stop her, turn her, or tap her on the nose with the end of the lead rope. This has worked well but i have to correct her evn at the slightest infraction or she takes advantage of the situation.

This may sound strange but is a small point of behavior that i think she has never really accepted the work and harness completely, thus the rubbing, and “how can i do something different.” Shes an excellent horse. Smart and willing but cunning too. I like her. The results of no BS on the lead line has effected her behavior for the better accross the board, and reduced the rubbing somewhat.

Good luck

neal

[Neil Dimmock]

My horses second job is going to town, pulling an empty wagon is a treat! they work and work harder then many that clam to work horses every day and THEY DO KNOW HOW TO STAND!!! if you dont think so take a minute and check out you tube. BUT telling every one its ok to leave the lines down is just plane (!@#%$%%)!!!! I have seen the best bush horses that the owners said would stand even with a fire under them, spook and a kid with a balloon and run down a Def teamster the the eveners and it take off half his head, GO ahead and fool your self in thinking they will stand and some one that doesn’t deserve it will pay the price!!!
Neil

[Neil Dimmock]

Maybe some sould come out of the bush and see what work is being done

there not tied to a tree but there working alright and all are broke well enuff to stand for a 1/2 hour while we hook them up. almost any one can handle a team but it takes a lot more understanding to drive this many. if you think your that good come and sit in the crows nest with me and we will test your theories, Any time

Neil

[Marchand]

You got ‘dat so Right, Bro. Neil,…sweat & Country scenery is what makes hosses go along with 2-leg’d’s best laid plans…but you can’t trust nothin’ with a mind of its own….& hosses are so better made & smarter’n us…Us 2-leg’d’s only got 52 degrees of vision, they got 270+….better noses, much better ears, & the Flight Response for survival….& Elvis will leave the Buildin’…besides hoss’s see between the Planes…& the ‘Haints a-fun’n….

[Does’ Leap]

Neil:

How about a little background on that impressive picture? How many horses? How big a tractor would be needed to pull that plow? How much land can you cover in a day?

Thanks.

George

[Neil Dimmock]

There is 46 in this one, the manufacture of the cultivator claimed it takes a 150HB tractor to pull it at 5″ of depth, We started to hook at 11am and unhooked at 3pm, in that time we did most of 30acres. I made the hitch out of a talklinton style which I have found to be the better one hands down
Neil

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