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Many of my early mistakes with my horses (it’s only been a 1.5 years) revolved around doing too much too fast. I had a notion (agenda) about what I wanted to get done and didn’t take into consideration whether my horses (and I) were ready. This lead to some serious setbacks which resulted in us going back to ground zero and doing some of the training strategies Don and others have mentioned (round pen, rope halter, yielding, etc.) even though I bought my horses well trained. This helped establish a healthy working relationship that has grown enormously ever since.

I still have an agenda, but it is not task oriented. Rather the new agenda is how we (horses and I) move forward together as a team with mutual trust and respect. There are times when I still ask too much, but I am quick to re-assess and alter my plan if necessary. The result of my new approach has been a better relationship with my horses and our ability to accomplish tasks I never would have dreamed of a year ago. This winter these new accomplishments are pulling logs up hill out of tight places. Our horses were never used in the woods so the saw, snapping branches, and other stimuli were nerve-racking for them. The horses vary their pace beautifully (stepping slowly through tight places and giving it their all when it comes time to pull), standing quietly, and doing what is asked. This is commonplace for loggers like Carl and others but big steps for my horses and me.

George

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Thanks for the input. Jonny, I’ll be in touch when the grass is ready!

George

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For those who are interested, you can find directions on how to tie a rope halter at: http://www.naturalhorsesupply.com/tiehalter.shtml

I use 5/16 yacht braid rope – very rugged. They are an excellent tool.

George

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Thanks to all for the replies. Carl, what is B and C?

George

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Interesting Carl. I got rid of my ring reading no definitive answers as to its benefit. I did notice a difference but couldn’t articulate what it was. Reading your reply makes sense. I am going back with the ring!

Thanks to all for the input.

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Mike:

Seems like part of your question in your original post involves the possibility of making a living off of your farm. Many of the questions regarding the trade-offs between horses and machinery are moot if you operate at a loss or break even (that is if you want to make a living off the farm). Even if you cut your costs with horses, you may be cutting your gross income as well (maybe not).

My wife and I make our living off of milking 40-50 goats and processing that milk into cheese. One of the ways I was able to leave my job and go full time was doing a “gross margin analysis” on our different farming ventures at the time which – in addition to goats – included lamb and beef. This was a powerful tool that enabled us to determine what aspects of our farm were truly generating income and what enterprises were losing $. We ended up getting rid of the lamb and beef and concentrating on the goats as well as raising a dozen hogs or so off the whey from the cheese operation. This move enabled us to concentrate our limited labor resources to our most profitable venture which improved to goat cheese aspect of our farm b/c we were dedicating more resources toward it.

Gross margin analysis in a nutshell looks at the income and costs from each farm enterprise (your labor is a cost), putting aside overhead (mortgage, taxes, etc.) After you pay your labor and cash costs for each enterprise (in our case goats, sheep, cattle), you need to cover depreciation, opportunity cost, and inflation. If there is $ at the end, you made a profit.

It is certainly a little more complicated and there is lots of information out there, but it is a very useful process if you want move toward a more profitable business. There is a good article on gross-margin analysis in The Stockman Grass Farmer this month (good magazine).

Of course, this is not all about profit and money or I would still be teaching high school.

Good luck with your farming venture.

George

P.S. How about packaging some of your grains into a hot cereal mix?

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Doc:

You can see some pics of our horses here:

They are 6 year old Perch / Belgian crosses and stand at 16.2 hands. We love them. They are a calm, hardworking team.

Good luck.

George

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I have been using my new beta lines for a couple of weeks now – what a difference. They are supple in cold weather, light, and easy to handle. Thanks for the advice. Anyone want to buy my leather lines?

George

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We purchased our team of Belgian / Perch crosses a little of a year ago. Being new to the horse world, I had never seen a bay draft horse. Needless to say they top my list of favorite breeds. Here is an attachment of one of the two half brothers we bought. They were 5 when we bought them and stand 16.2.

George

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A harness maker you might try is Zimmerman’s Harness: (717) 354-5667. Prices are about half of the harness makers listed in the Small Farmer’s Journal, you can reach her by phone anytime, and she usually ships the same day. She recently sent me 20′ beta team lines for $60 and mixed the colors (one brown, one black per Jason’s recommendation so you know your gee and haw lines in a pinch).

George

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Carl:

Thanks for the response and the pictures. I am wondering how much ground skidding, without being attached to a pole, affects britchen dynamics. I am suspecting a lot. One of my concerns is that one of my horses’s britchen is too tight (second of the two attachments). Wouldn’t know it from the photo, but his winter hair is actually wearing away. I will try to take a photo of them on the forecart. In the meantime, what is too tight for the britchen? It is a little hard to tell the contact from the photos you posted. Could you also confirm on deny the dynamics of the britchen being affected by hitching to a pole?

Thanks.

George

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Git-Up-Doc:

How do you post large photos in the main body of post? I have done attachments, but these are larger and clearer.

Thanks.

George

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Brandon came to our farm with a similar “blank canvas” – limited exposure to livestock and cheesemaking. He performed admirably – quick learner, enthusiastic and hard working. I recommend him highly. Feel free to contact me directly for a more detailed reference.

George

PS I think he sells himself short on the chainsaw front having completed one or more levels of a “Game of Logging”. He also had some exposure to our team of draft horses.

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Got it. Thanks.

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Carl:

Thanks for the reply. What exactly are swivels? I am assuming they have some sort of eye on both ends through which you attach your clevises. I am familiar with the key hole grab hook. Do you put the clevis through the large part of the key hole to attach to the swivel? Better yet, do you have a picture.

George

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