White Bird play day

[HeeHawHaven]

October 9 is perfect! We have a long weekend off school then!

Dave

[near horse]

Hey Robert,

I didn’t mean to say “you” need to provide housing at all. Just so everyone knows what is or isn’t available and can plan accordingly.

In my limited experience plowing with others, there’s never any grazing available at those times anyway so no big deal. I can bring down some extra grass hay as well (if I ever get anything cut this yr 🙁 ) as a back up for anyone shy of enough feed.

I might just make 2 trips down – one with gear/equip/hay and another with horses. Sounds great!

[Scott G]

@Robert MoonShadow 27439 wrote:

Salmon River = steelhead/salmon/chinook should be running then

Now you have my undivided attention!

[Robert MoonShadow]

Scot – Big, strong river, accessorize accordingly. Oh, by happy, happy coincidence, the “Old mill hole” is a hotspot for them…and in case you didn’t notice, that garden is named the “Old mill site”. Get the hint? And 3 more hotspots within 1 1/2 miles…
I just found out that general (either sex) deer season actually opens on Oct. 10, not the 20th…so there’ll probably be a bunch of hunters wanting to use the campground – ‘first come, first serve’, and Friday I’ll be parking some of my stuff down there to ‘reserve’ spots for anyone showing up Friday. After that, when the lot fills, there’s lots of room on the 7+ acres I’m on. I expect there’ll be a large contingent of hunters idling around that weekend, waiting for Monday morning, so expect “tourists” – perhaps an opportunity for us to teach the ‘whys and wherefores’ of using our animal power? {Geoff – do you have anything to handout on DAP?}
This that started out as a simple day of play for a few of us might just be more than what I thought.
So, consider this an open invitation/request for anyone that attends this little thing, if you are comfortable with doing so, please consider setting up situations to reach out to others that might be curious of us & our animals.
If anyone has anything specific in mind, let me know here or pm me, and I’ll try my best to assist you. Also, while I’m thinking of it; anyone needing special accommodations or considerations for you or your animals, please let me know that also.

[Robert MoonShadow]

BTW: If you’ve got kids and don’t bring them along, I’m gonna have my donkeys kick you!
😮

[dominiquer60]

“This that started out as a simple day of play for a few of us might just be more than what I thought. “

Funny how these things happen Robert, just ask Carl about his “little” on farm workshops, I think that they kinda took him a little further than he thought too.

Looks like you all have yourselves quite the event shaping up, have fun and enjoy it, there is nothing like good folks getting together to have a heck of a time.

Erika

[Robert MoonShadow]

Okay, I’m about to start scouting around for some logs for people to play with…unfortunately, I’m not sure at all what size to get for those of you w/ larger animals. I’m not thinking professional-pullers-size, here; I AM wanting to give a bit of a challenge – enough to show onlookers what they can do. I’ve already got an idea on size(s) for the donks. I’m about to start hauling out firewood, and although the logs are supposed to be limited to 4′ or 6′ lengths, I AM the pirate farmer…;)
also, any ideas or suggestions on activities would be way more than welcomed!! Perhaps a bit of an obstacle course laid out through the brush? There’s a snow roof that used to have a single-wide trailer under it; I’m thinking of walling in the sides for a “tunnel” – sound interesting? I’m slowly working on my ex-boss to see if I can get him to bring over his Belgian mule and that infamous trail-ace machine of his, for a demonstration…and I’ve got a secret challenge for those of you who think they know how to harness an animal…(heeheehee). With a variation that involves your ‘significant other’ and YOUR communication skills (or lack thereof!).
Anyone interested in volunteering for giving instructional demonstrations of any sort?
Without any ideas or input from you, you do realize that you’re leaving me alone, w/out supervision, on this, right? And I plan to use that as my legal defense, if need be. 😮
Example: There’s the ‘flapjack race’*: Start w/ your animal loose but haltered…catch said critter, harness it, ground drive it to starting line; load up skillet, firewood, batter mix, bowl, spatula – {into what, is up to you = feed sack, backpack, toss it over the hames, carry in hand or on back, etc.}…drive to firepit…unload items…start fire, mix batter, cook flapjack and hold said flapjack up and show judges when done. Points deducted if critter eats said flapjack before judged… Oh, gee – did I forget to mention that while unloading supplies, starting fire/cooking, that you must keep the lead rope in hand or fastened to you? This is a timed event; that is, if anyone remembers to look at their watch! Prizes? Sure! Um, how ’bout a flapjack? Judges will be chosen at random…AFTER the ‘race’! I had considered having you (or the critter) do this blindfolded…Hey! I TOLD you I need adult supervision, here! *Those of you who have been to Bishop will recognize this variation of their ‘pack burro/flapjack race’…I stole the idea from them in true pirate fashion and then modified it a bit for draft animals.* You all are just lucky I don’t have a manure spreader…think ‘poop slalom’ through cones.

[HeeHawHaven]

I’m in for anything as long as safety is considered for each event. Sounds like fun!

Dave

[Robert MoonShadow]

@HeeHawHaven 28059 wrote:

I’m in for anything as long as safety is considered for each event. Sounds like fun!

Dave

Indeed.
And your ideas are wanted, as well!

[Robert MoonShadow]

Update:
I talked w/ Bonner (my old boss) and he will be bringing his Belgian mule Ellie and the Trail Ace apparatus to the playdays to demonstrate it’s use and adjustments. I’ve talked about this tool before and might have even posted a few photos…now there’ll be an opportunity for you to see it in action; I’ve got a local photographer that’ll be there, so we’ll have ‘action photos’ to post, and maybe somebody will have a video taken to post on youtube {and here}!!

[HeeHawHaven]

Sounds great! We plan on coming unless life happens… We’ll probably bring the Fjule team and Fjord gelding. I will invite the Might Mini Mules of Midvale (12 hitch). I also hope my mentor, Lee, comes too.

dave

[Robert MoonShadow]

Great! Evelyn (the sweet old gal who owns the land) is very curious what a fjule looks like! So am I, for that matter. How big are these? I’m in the planning stage of laying out a small driving maze through the brush and stuff…there’s several old roads in it, and a couple of small flat spots that are open…if I do it right, it’ll be a bit of a test of driving skills for everyone. I also just found a stash of old farm equipment on the next farm over…if the owner’s interested in selling any of it, perhaps we can ride on over and check things out…

[HeeHawHaven]

Around 14 hands, 800 lbs. I think. We were at the equine dental academy today and they were very popular.

Dave

[Robert MoonShadow]

Hhmmm…not much bigger than my donkeys…and I think at least 2 of DDD’s mammoth donks are somewhat bigger. Cool! I’ll be able to get a better idea of what a donk can do compared to a mule of similar size. I don’t know of any such comparisons being done, and it’s useful info for me and others considering which to use.
*Not in any competitive sense, but for information/knowledge*

[HeeHawHaven]

@Robert MoonShadow 28272 wrote:

Hhmmm…not much bigger than my donkeys…and I think at least 2 of DDD’s mammoth donks are somewhat bigger. Cool! I’ll be able to get a better idea of what a donk can do compared to a mule of similar size. I don’t know of any such comparisons being done, and it’s useful info for me and others considering which to use.
*Not in any competitive sense, but for information/knowledge*

We can compete to see whose assess kick the asses asses (or 1/2 asses)!

Just kidding! I just love to learn and spend time with others who don’t have ear envy!

Dave

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