[Big Horses]

I’d get it good and warm and throw as much boiled linseed oil as I could at it, then turn the tires around (like Carl says) and patch it up and use it. A total rebuild would be nice right now, but if you’re like me, that could run into more time than you want to spend on it right now… use it and see how it works…get all the “bugs” worked out, then when you have the time, rebuild it.
Just my 2 cents, and worth all you paid for it!
John

[Big Horses]

Geoff, you might do a search over on http://www.forestryforum.com Seems to be quite a bit of experience and good advice over there.
John

[Big Horses]

Some good advice given! For sure, the most important thing is to try NOT to have a runaway…. but I was taught that if for some reason you do, get control of the situation and about the time you figure they’re going to start slowing down, now it’s time to run. Run ’em until they’re about to drop and show them that this isn’t so much fun anymore. I hate to do it that way and always try to not get into that situation, but have straightened out a few teams for people that have let them get away with it, and it works.
I agree with Carl NY on the Liverpool bits…just because you can get that leverage, doesn’t mean you have to use it…. soft hands are the rule… we drive in Liverpool or Military Elbow’s always when doing carriage work. Glad to hear you hooked her again that day and got some work done sucessfully. Too many people get scared and quit…not a good thing at all.
John

[Big Horses]

So sorry to hear of your loss Geoff…been there, done that, and it’s no fun. A friend of mine once said that the only thing in the world wrong with a great dog is that they just never last long enough! RIP Chumley!
John

[Big Horses]

We’ve used barbed wire for over 3 generations here…NEVER lost a horse from it. The only 2 horses we’ve lost in a fence have been from a rail fence.

[Big Horses]

I’ve been there quite a few times. It’s ok… another horse show.They’re getting quite a few “money hitch” people in anymore, so you’ll see lots of glitz and glamor and horses being crippled by crappy feet and headsets regulated by overchecks…….. not my thing. But there are still some awesome people that go and show, especially the mule people, and they’re well worth the drive to see. There are NO Fjords, as they say they’re a “draft pony”… :confused: and aren’t considered qualified to show…. figure that one out.
I doubt we go this year…we’re pretty busy here, but maybe Kat will be there??
John

[Big Horses]

The golden eagles are definitely bigger!! We have both to contend with here. I’ve never seen them try to “pack off” any calves…that isn’t gonna work. But, what they will do is peck the eyes out, or work on a navel or any other soft tissue that they can, if the calf is new or even when being born. They are definitely something to watch for. Ravens and buzzards are almost as bad, but not as agressive as an eagle. They do tend to prefer manure from fresh born calves…rich in stuff from Mom’s milk, however, they’re a wild animal and an oportunist, and will do whatever they can to eat.
John

[Big Horses]

That turned out great, Kat! Nice evener/singletrees too! :rolleyes:
John

[Big Horses]

If it’s something big, (like a horse) we put it on top of a nearby mountain…. circle of life. If it’s smaller (calves), we put them about a mile from the house at the hayshed. The “locals” (coyotes, wolves, eagles, cats) will keep them cleaned up quickly.
John

[Big Horses]

Well, I finally got to meet Ron Henrickson today! A friend bought a “hiller” from him, so my Wife and I rode along to help load it. What a nice guy! He’s got some really nice mowers and equipment, loves to discuss them, and is very knowledgeable! We met his wife as well and she’s just as nice! All in all, it was a day well spent, and I’m pretty sure a day that will lead to more fun in the future. If you need any #7 or #9 mowers, he’s the guy to try!
John

[Big Horses]

That sure sounds reasonable! I’ll be watching this too… I’ve got a couple to replace……….

[Big Horses]

Welcome Stacy! That’s beautiful country you’re moving to! Not that awful far from us here in NW MT. I spent 9 years over in WA around the B’ham and Burlington area as well. You’ll enjoy it here and there’s lots of great info!
John

[Big Horses]

Cast can be welded quite successfully…but it takes someone that knows it well and is very patient. Pre & post heat, weld a very little, and then cool, peen the weld as you go… there are guys that do nothing but cast and have no problems…but there are guys that have nothing but problems! It’s not like any “regular” welding for sure.
John

[Big Horses]

They were pushing “big ag” in my Vo-Ag courses in high school in the late 70’s. It was always about “bigger and better”…not more self sustaining, so it’s nothing new. Low overhead and small operations were scoffed at, but the guys that were in debt way past their eyeballs, and had to hire a dozen guys to drive their tractors, etc… were what it was all about. Just look at the direction that the FFA has gone…they wont even call themselves “Farmers” anymore. (they eliminated it from the name officially a few years ago…how sad!) Geoff is very correct in his statement that “The administrations at the college and university levels ARE politicians who respond to the whims of the state political powers.”

[Big Horses]

We don’t use any Beta lines, all ours are leather, but I don’t see what difference that should make with this method… we punch a small hole or series of holes in the very ends of each of the lines. One in each line for a team/wheel, 2 for lead of 4 or swing of 6, etc… works great for us and we have them through 8 up. The 3 and 4 or more abreast are pretty obvious and usually nobody else is using them but us and that means they get put away right and promptly.
John

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