The role of fun/play

[Nat(wasIxy)]

Up to now I’ve always trained singles, and mostly for riding – I’ve found for the riding it’s been quite important to be ‘fun’ – cattle hate monotony and repetition, and respond to that by getting slower and slower and trying to avoid work. I have to make sure we do new things regularly, and I mix up the jobs – a bit of riding, a bit of pulling stuff, a bit of packing, sometimes just a walk or a play in the fields together off the rope!

I now have a pair in a yoke, and it’s a very different dynamic. So far apart from early halter training they work together in the yoke. I am getting a ‘vibe’ that although they are currently happy to do this because it’s still a bit of a novelty, it’s definately not as fun for them as the varied training of my others and I’m worried that over time they will come to avoid me, seek to get out of work, and slow down.

Maybe that’s just how it is – this pair is for work, I have numerous farm jobs for them that have to be a done and a yoke is the way to achieve it. So i and they should just suck it up? But I’m feeling the urge to mix it up a little for them and although I didn’t intend to, I might do some work with them singly, maybe riding, and encourage more play and fun stuff.

I think in the horse world, this sort of thing would be acknowledged as important for a working horse – brewery horses get a few weeks holiday a year, and I’m sure horse loggers etc. mostly would train their horses also to ride and go on the occasional hack/beach ride with them as something a bit different and some ‘downtime’ together. But I get the feeling this sort of thing is not seen as necessary, or just downright soppy with oxen?

So, what do you think? Do you let your pairs have time out of the yoke (with you, I don’t mean just resting in their stall or paddock!) and make time to bond together outside of work, or do you think that’s new-age nonsense?

[Kevin Cunningham]

I am certainly no expert. You have more experience than I do, but I know that for my pair that anything other than work in the yoke, feeding and grooming in the barn, and some time grazing separate from the herd, would confuse them greatly. My team has spent some time out in the fields with the other cattle doing what they do best, eating, sometimes playing, and ruminating. That is what they want to do, but I want them to do a whole lot more. I have struggled with this team, especially my off steer, to try and remain focused. That said, they do like novelty, whenever we start down a different path with the sled or even do our routine slightly differently they get more attentive. I wonder if that is why something like logging, which is routine in highly variable locations and terrains, is good training for the cattle. The forest offers a lot of novelty while still being good training and work for them. I hope to find a way to work my cattle in the woods next winter, because of this. Anyhow, my two cents, for what thats worth… not much.

[dominiquer60]

I like to mix things up once in a while and keep them on their toes as far as the farm routine goes. When they expect a haw to the hay barn I may walk them past it to go check and see how the sap lines are coming along. Working in the woods certainly has great benefits to a young team, the routine is there, but it is a little different each trip, for each trip brings a slightly different location and perhaps a different series of commands, and when you go to a new location entirely there is more novelty. I don’t use them often enough that they get bored this time of year, but I will learn more this summer when I will try to have them out as much as possible.

I don’t do a lot with them out of yolk, but I use every feeding, every hoof trim and every interaction with them as a chance to be their leader and solidify our working relationship. I will admit to lingering at the water tub to rub a neck or two and we enjoyed some time together yesterday in the sun after the Blizzard left and the birds came out. I brought a curry out and we spend a little time together, then they proceeded to have a good romp through the drifts.

I don’t find that I have the time to teach them how to ride, or even to put their brass horn knobs on, but I enjoy making every interaction some quality time on some level.

[Donn Hewes]

hi Ixy, I know I work with horses and mules and they are very different from oxen. Sometimes they connect on basic concepts. There are a lot of contradictions sometimes in this work, (I find myself contradicting myself all the time!) For me, paying attention to what horses and mules are thinking and feeling is one of those times. I will tell folks to pay attention to the animal’s head, it will tell what is going on. Be aware of changes in the animals attitude or demeanor. When folks suggest that the animal was not having fun anymore or “no longer wanted to be there” I suggest that we be careful in trying to guess what a horse is feeling or thinking. I have learned to proudly point out these contradictions!

Folks like to ask or suggest that my horses really like their work. I all ways point out that I have no real idea if they like their work or not. I fact, since I believe they are very smart animals, I think after four or five days of plowing; putting on a harness the next day and going out to plow won’t be “what fun”. There are a few good reasons why I don’t dwell on whether they are enjoying their work. First, I am fully responsible for their care, condition, and safety. I have seen examples of folks that suggested how much their animals were enjoying themselves while their hoofs and harness were in serious need of repair. I pay more attention to the fact that these animals are willing, as a good indicator of how well I have met my responsibilities.

I think the difference is between paying attention to an animal on one hand, and how I let this information effect how I feel or what I think, on the other. Being a leader is so important (fundamental) and for some people too much attention to what they “think” a horse wants or feels, can be a big distraction to leading and doing what you intended to do. When I sense a change in an animals attitude or demeanor, I am more likely to think about what can this animal do? Or what can I do to help this animal achieve what I know it can, vs asking my self if it still having fun, or if it wants to be here.

I often will stand and scratch a neck or fool with a youngster; why? because I enjoy it. They would all be just as happy if I would go away; why? because even if I am just fooling around I am still the boss. No one wants to really let their hair down while I am still there running everything. These are personal things that everyone develops their own slightly different balance for. That is what makes the work with drafts so interesting and rewarding. keep up the good work, Donn

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