Runaway advice

[robc]

Again, thanks for all of the good advice on getting over that speed bump with Zeus and Hermes. They are doing well at most tasks. Notably:

1. They have been off the farm to 3-4 ‘events’ from MODA and Plow Day at Tillers, to smoothing a friend’s lawn, and they trailer well and load nicely.

2. They have been mowing the lawn with a 3-gang reel-type mower. This has really helped their ability to sidestep. They do it almost too well now, as the mower will pivot more tightly than anything else we work with. Maybe this needs it’s own thread-it’s a great, small acreage, way to work on maneuverability.

3. They have gotten quite used to our new (used) fore cart and can hitch to most things and can back it up with a reasonable degree of accuracy.

4. Yesterday, we hitched onto the hay rake and pulled it out without clipping the gate posts. After air in the tires and some adjustment, we raked the 3rd cutting hay in their pasture today. They did an acre, give or take, (it’s all they haven’t eaten on our rotation!) and made every turn. Perfect straight lines they weren’t, but nothing the baler won’t be able to follow.

Again, thanks. I’m pretty impressed with how they’ve come along in the last 14 months. It’s been a fun journey so far.

[Tim Harrigan]

Rob, nice job sticking with them and not being distracted and discouraged by the minor set-backs. Year 2 usually has a new set of challenges but if you are clear about your expectations and fair in the assessment of it you will have a fine team. It is clear that you enjoy working with them and continue to find new things for them to do. That will continue to challenge all of you to refine your skill and responsiveness.

[Author]

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