Obstacle course at NEAPFD!

[Donn Hewes]

We are hoping to put on an obstacle course on Sunday morning, At the NEAPFD. Perhaps from 10: am to 1 pm or so. (times may vary) We are not planning on a competitive event , but rather a fun and challenging course that would make a good representation of horse, mule, or oxen ability, and teamster skill.

Jason Glick and I have volunteered to help organize it, but one of our ideas is that we could get a group of folks were each one each one has volunteered to contribute one component to the course. It would make easier for those of us traveling a distance and we could have fun building a course by committee. Obstacles should be devised to accommodate one animal or two, and we should encourage teamsters of all ages and skill levels to try it.

Feel free to use this thread to describe your “obstacle” or offer any other suggestions or help you can think of. Sign up to help us put it together. Also feel free to contact me by private Message or phone: 607-849-4442.

PS. the Obstacle I am planning involves the use of a rope and two pulleys so the animal or team can pull a decorated log or something towards themselves.

[Jay]

Donn, This sounds great – I like the “course by committee” idea. I need to cogitate a little more on an idea I have for the obstacle course. Looking forward to it. Jay

[jason glick]

parbuckling on to a wagon is always a good one. i’ll noodle out the details. cheers, jason

[dominiquer60]

I’ve got this sweetie of a harrow if it works into the plans. A 1000# pair or single can pull it set lightly, so it can be used by a variety of animal power.
Here is a photo.

Erika

[Carl Russell]

I can supply planks, ramps, and blocks of wood for artificial structures like barns, sheds, bridges, and other maneuvering challenges.

Carl

[john plowden]

I have a log across the road obstacle that we used at the LIF workshop inUnity last year –
John

[CharlyBonifaz]

parbuckling on to a wagon is always a good one. i’ll noodle out the details.

reminds me of a tricky one: logs piled up in a way, that the top consisted of two of them,side by side; idea was to pile one last log on top of them…..

[Jim Ostergard]

If road caution cones are used put some great large apples on top.
Jim

[Donn Hewes]

This is a great start. One or two more obstacles would give us something in reserve, but we really don’t need that many. Erica, I think you could make that harrow into an obstacle with a couple rows cones or something else where the harrow just fits.

Carl, I like the idea of a shed or a wall, maybe just an arch way or a door to go through. Also I know I couldn’t do it, but may be some one more local could; I like the idea of having three logs to choose from just for a short test of strength. The secret to that obstacle is fro the teamster to pick the right log for their animal or team. To make it work right the logs would have to be carefully picked so the largest would give a team pause, the next should be relatively easy for a team but give a good single horse pause, and the smallest should be a good working log. Two logs might be enough as folks would have the option of skiping that station.

Also any suggestions from folks who might be planning / hoping to put your teams through the obstacle course? We would love to hear from you.

[Jay]

Donn,

I have often thought that an obstacle course for team or single driven with only ONE hand would be an interesting challenge. I find I often have to drive for at least short times with only one hand and thought it might be fun to try. Can teamster use mouth or teeth (or anything else for that matter) to hold a line or choke up on lines? Jay

[Carl Russell]

Jay that would be cool too!!

I have a four wheeled rubber tired wagon with bunks that we can use.

Donn, I was thinking that we can lay the planks on the ground and drive the wagon over them so that the wheels have to stay on. Also laying them on the ground to layout the foot print of a bay in a barn or shed to back in, etc.

Carl

[Donn Hewes]

Jay, I like the one handed idea, I am sure we all find that to be a very useful skill from time to time. Maybe just one obstacle, where you drive into a blind alley, then the natural thing to do is pick up your evener and back and turn your animals with one hand. Choking up with the other hand is OK as long as it only touches the lines behind the hand that is driving. I had a bad (read dumb)experience with teeth and a lead rope many years ago and I wouldn’t encourage anyone to put anything in their teeth!

Carl, the planks sound great.

[Tim Harrigan]

Be careful here Donn, Andy will invent a third hand and clean up in this competition.:eek:

[Vicki]

This sounds so fun! There’s a slight chance I may even be able to attend.
I’ve had to back up my oxen on a curve, then have the oxen touch backward a barrel stacked on another barrel without knocking it over; or touch a suspended chime to make it ring.

[jason glick]

donn, do you have any idea when we might be able to start setting it up. i have a volunteer comittment on saturday morn and a little bit in the afternoon.. thinking about coming over on thursday maybe with one of our horses.. could do somthing any time friday or later on saturday.

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