Odd Jobs

[near horse]

Hi Jean

We’ve raked up green clippings w/ an old dump rake or scatter rake – there are tons of them around that no one wants or uses. They just drag the clippings until you dump them and then you can just fork onto a trailer. Pretty easy work for a single horse or small team since you’re not trying to make huge piles – like oldkat mentioned.

[Plowboy]

Those clippings may or may not be OK. A friend of hours lost a good horse to Choke from eating lawn clippings. The short grass balls up in the throat when they are able to eat it from a pile. This doesn’t happen when grazing because they bite, chew then swallow regular amounts and it doesn’t ball up. Be carefull!

[jen judkins]

How’s this for a couple of odd jobs:

My mom has been eyeing some Lady Slippers along an old dirt road near our place and was commenting today, as I was harnessing Reno, that she wishes she would remember to drive over the hill and dig some up. So I said, ‘get your shovel and lets go!’ It was a nice drive, Reno had plenty of energy, and we got to practice standing at several spots along the road, waiting for mom. Sweeeeet!

When we got home I decided I would run down to the mulch pile, down the hill and pick up a load of mulch to spread in the garden tomorrow. Reno had to turn around in a pretty tight spot and back up to the dump cart, then stand, while I loaded it and hooked it up. Small bit of work, but I feel good about doing something constructive. Mom took a photo on our way back up to the house.

For those following Reno’s rehab…he’s doing well. This was our second drive since his latest injury (severed extensor tendon left hind). He goes out alittle gimpy behind, but is power walking back in. No toe dragging or tripping…its all good!

[OldKat]

@jenjudkins 9367 wrote:

How’s this for a couple of odd jobs:

My mom has been eyeing some Lady Slippers along an old dirt road near our place and was commenting today, as I was harnessing Reno, that she wishes she would remember to drive over the hill and dig some up. So I said, ‘get your shovel and lets go!’ It was a nice drive, Reno had plenty of energy, and we got to practice standing at several spots along the road, waiting for mom. Sweeeeet!

When we got home I decided I would run down to the mulch pile, down the hill and pick up a load of mulch to spread in the garden tomorrow. Reno had to turn around in a pretty tight spot and back up to the dump cart, then stand, while I loaded it and hooked it up. Small bit of work, but I feel good about doing something constructive. Mom took a photo on our way back up to the house.

For those following Reno’s rehab…he’s doing well. This was our second drive since his latest injury (severed extensor tendon left hind). He goes out alittle gimpy behind, but is power walking back in. No toe dragging or tripping…its all good!

That is great news, Jen. Sounds like you are having a blast (and becoming quite a teamster). Way to go!

[Carl Russell]

Way to go Jenn. It’s been so cool to watch this progression. I hope you’re documenting all this for a complete presentation at NEAPFD:D.

Carl

[Jean]

Way to go Jen and Reno!

Kruiser spread his manure yesterday with our rotary spreader. He was unsure of the load and started off as if he was being asked to pull hundreds more pounds then he could handle. I had to stop him several times before I could get him to start off a good walk instead of a leap and bound. He was headed right at the neighbors potato and corn patch slightly out of control, but I managed him to get his attention and he started again. Once he was walking nicely he settled right into the work.

Jean

[Donn Hewes]

Way to go everyone! Amongst all the skills and attributes of a teamster is a healthy dose of perseverance. It is nice to see some folks finding that here.

As far as clipping goes; I am a big fan of clipping and do a ton of it. While you can pick up and feed most clippings, ( I agree with plowboy, I wouldn’t feed stuff from a lawn mower) you may not need to. In my view it is not wasted, it is green cover crop being mowed to feed the soil. I have been amazed at how much you can leave. Heavy clipping that you would think would smother any regrowth in a few days has shriveled to much less volume and cover and you see clovers coming up all through it.

When ever it is too wet to make hay I am clipping. Hopefully I will be mowing hay this week. Donn

[jen judkins]

@Jean 9372 wrote:

Kruiser spread his manure yesterday with our rotary spreader. He was unsure of the load and started off as if he was being asked to pull hundreds more pounds then he could handle. I had to stop him several times before I could get him to start off a good walk instead of a leap and bound. He was headed right at the neighbors potato and corn patch slightly out of control, but I managed him to get his attention and he started again. Once he was walking nicely he settled right into the work.

Nice, Jean! You’ve got confidence coming out tha ears now! You go, girl!:D

[Ed Thayer]

Jen,

Glad to hear Reno is doing well. You must be so glad to be working him again. And Peanut looked great in the photo pulling the harrow.

I have still been cuttting wood and skidding it to my log pile with Oz. Cleanup from the Ice storm.

I have been leaving his halter on under the bridle and tying him to a 4″ tree in the woods while I run the chainsaw. I am mindfull of Carl’s warnings and make sure Oz is facing the direction in which I am working and out of reach of what I am cutting.

He has been doing great, I have been getting off the cart and opening gates as he stands and waits for me. The backing issue seems to have resolved itself with repeated hitches and more work.

Yesterday after work I even backed him into the barn to unhitch the fore cart by following Don’s idea of backing a little, stopping and then backing more with small breaks in between.

I am very pleased with his progress and a little embarassed by some of my earlier posts whining about my troubles. It really is about the work and the relationship with the horse and I think Oz and I are both getting it now. We are working and the issues I had are either getting better or do not exist anymore.

This is a great forrum and thanks to all for your input.

Ed

[Rod]

My boys are regularly teaching me new things. Recently I learned that they do a real nice “gee back” and “haw back” when I used the commands. But I was having trouble geiitng them to go straight back using the command “back”. In frustration the other day I yelled at them “straight back” and much to my surprise they they hunched their rears down and went back as straight as an arrow and at a good clip.
Another time when I was getting ready to feed them their mineral grain I happened to click my dogs training clicker which was in my pocket. Ken my older horse lifted his right foot and did the nicest bow with his head and leg. I don’t know the command for that one and have only been able to get him to repeat it a few times. Makes me wonder what else they have learned over the years with different owners and what I have yet to discover.

[Jean]

Rod, it sounds as if you have a great team there. It will be fun to find out what more they know.
Jean

[LStone]

Yep,

Consistancy, time, and repetitions. I am learning that those are key to the desired results Ed. I don’t think that there is anything to be embarrased about though. We all start knowing nothing and working from there. I have read your posts and they have all been valid questions and concerns brought forward by your perspective of experience and situation. Certainly not whining. Personally I think that if you have a question and ask it you will gain knowledge and confidence when it is answered. That is how humans communicate and become successful. Thus the mission of this forum I believe is to encourage same, so that this skill and craft can go forward.

I consider myself fortunate to have this resource of reference to enjoy, and gain more confidence in my projects as well.

Larry

[jen judkins]

Ed, for what it’s worth, I have benefited from your questions immensely;). Being of the more outspoken sort, I justify my idiotic questions by hoping some lurker will find some benefit as well. Though, I agree, sometimes I look back at some old posts and get a giggle about where I was back then. Its cool though to see progress, my own and others, as well.

Larry, I couldn’t agree more with your comments. This forum had been an invaluable resource for me. I can honestly say, I would not have accomplished what I have in the past year without the mentoring and networking I have experienced here. It is indeed an extraordinarily valuable place.

OK, Ed, Larry and Jean…are you all up to do a ‘Getting Started’ panel of new teamsters for NEAPFD? I’ll email you all privately. Jen.

[Carl Russell]

jenjudkins;9418 wrote:

…..
OK, Ed, Larry and Jean…are you all up to do a ‘Getting Started’ panel of new teamsters for NEAPFD? I’ll email you all privately. Jen.

AWESOME!!!!

Carl

[Ed Thayer]

Sounds good to me.

Count me in. My wife and I are planning to attend the event and are looking forward to it.

Ed

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