[dominiquer60]

Enjoy that pony, you will find all sorts of uses for him. I second the Waverly suggestion, it is on my bucket list.:)

Erika

[dominiquer60]

How is the season coming along for everyone?

Yesterday I heard that it was going like gangbusters in SE VT, and Sam collected a good amount in NE CT. Unfortunately word on the street, in our neighborhood, is that the peepers are out. This is a good month early for them, maybe the cold snap the next few days will help prevent budding for a little longer, but I am afraid to say that it looks like I am bringing nice weather home with me from the south. It is predicted to be in the 60 when I get home next week.

Happy sugaring, give it hell while it lasts.

Erika

[dominiquer60]

Emily Langer and I went out to dinner last night and this was one of our topics of discussion. I really want to be able to do more single work and I don’t want to just put shafts on a forecart, because I don’t care for having to get between the cart and an implement, especially if something like your scenario were in progress. Having worked around a Barden cart and Sam’s log arch, I really appreciate the ease of safely getting on and off of these vehicles.

I have saved a few pennies here in Florida and I think it is time to invest in hiring a good fabricator and a set of Barden plans. I know what you are thinking, I have a great fabricator at home, but if I want a cart, I know I have to hire it out myself, otherwise it will never happen 😉

I have been told the tough animals make the best animals if you stick with them. Best wishes with her.

Erika

[dominiquer60]

Carl brings up a good point about equipment being out of adjustment or alignment, it could be the animal itself. Some animals will compensate for minor issues and that bother then, and that can cause them to rub one side or the other. Our gelding that we lost last year had arthritis in his neck and even though Sam tried a huge range of line adjustments he just always went with his neck bending slightly to the left. We were even working with a chiropractor on this issue, that is just how he went.

Erika

[dominiquer60]

Carl, the top 2 are small and hard to see when you click on them, the bottom is much larger and easier to see.
E

[dominiquer60]

I find the nylon more abrasive, especially when dirty and stiff. We hot water pressure wash our harness once or twice a year to keep them clean and more supple. I try to do this after the big shed, as the harness seems to collect hair and create a coat of its own.

Andy Carson had a problem with rubbing when he had that Val mare. I remember him wrapping the trace (in this case) with leather. He punched holes along the 2 long edges and laced the leather on like shoe strings. If I recall correctly it seemed to help quite a bit. There used to be a picture, but…

Erika

[dominiquer60]

maybe now? firefox

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[dominiquer60]

Amen about the John Deere dealerships 🙂

Yes for small scale I agree that this will be the best tractor, especially if farms can manage to stay small scale. I use my ACG mostly for seeding, or for some small tasks like scuffing/rolling in a small cover crop. I am able to use some of my animal equipment on the drawbar, and I might use 10 gallons of fuel a year. A nice compromise for mixed power.

Hopefully they don’t push for large scale Ag, but I know Big Ag will do what they can to help “advance” their system. I guess if I want to be a tourist there and see ox power, I had better jump on it sooner than later.

[dominiquer60]

Yes, more info about this filly please. I would love pictures, if they won’t post please email, marczake @ Hotmail dot com.

Erika

• This reply was modified 9 years, 3 months ago by dominiquer60.

[dominiquer60]

“Also, starting out I plan to use my horse for these things: helping me plow, harrow, and cultivate a 1/4 acre garden, pull a small wagon with tools or feed/water around the farm, and ride to deliver eggs to neighbors. Right now I do all of these things by hand or with a tractor.”

Most of these tasks are very well suited for a good single. I think it is good going into beginner horse ownership with an already established Plan B for these tasks. You can slowly incorporate the horses with the easiest tasks to master first, and can work your way into you list, rather than taking it on all at once out of relying solely on the horse. With an experienced horse, harrowing your garden is going to be a great way to get to know each other and build a relationship. As your working relationship builds so too will your list of tasks that you are able to accomplish.

The only task on your list that I would avoid at first, is plowing. Plowing with a single is perhaps one of the most challenging ways to plow period. There are a lot of factors to consider to make it successful. Gaining experience with the other tasks, especially cultivating, and doing them well will help set you up for success when you do take on the task of plowing with your single horse. Don’t feel defeated when you have to use the tractor to plow at first, using your horse for that will come in good time. You will also be fortunate to have the tractor when you start the task of plowing with a single, the first few passes with the tractor give the horse something to follow and sets you up for success the first time out.

Single work can come in handy at times even when you expand your herd. It can then become a challenge to separate the horses for single work, the instinct to be with the herd is strong.

Best Wishes with your new adventures,

Erika

• This reply was modified 9 years, 3 months ago by dominiquer60.

[dominiquer60]

Helene,

That information makes it easier to recommend some good farms for you. I would enjoy having you on my own farm, but I don’t know that I could fine housing in a year, but maybe something good will surface. Natural Roots Farm (Conway, MA) is then next farm that comes to mind, but I think that if you look at some of those lists, you will find several good options.

I am glad that we could help. Let us know if you have any more questions and we will try to help as best as we can.

While you are planning you stay in the USA, consider attending the 2017 Draft Animal Power Field Day in New Hampshire, it will be in late September or early October.

Erika

[dominiquer60]

Sam called at 4:30 this morning from the cooperative sugarhouse. The gentleman who owns the evaporator that we use, called him at 3:30, he was going to start the RO before he headed to work, could Sam come and boil, he asked. It ran so hard that the tanks were overflowing, in 36 hours Sam collected 3,200 gallons and boiled twice, and the day is not over yet. Get it while the going is good. If 2016 is a short season, we will be thankful for a little surplus that we have from 2015, retail sales have been gaining every year with minimal marketing.

Be safe out there and enough the first major crop of the season.

Erika

[dominiquer60]

Sam has 1,100 on vacuum and they boiled Tuesday for the first time, nice stuff almost good enough for Fancy Boy 🙂

Another local guy in Ashford, CT tapped with pails 2 weeks ago and has boiled a few times now. We have to get it before it buds early like it is threatening to in Southern NE.

Erika

[dominiquer60]

Kevin Cunningham uses one with his oxen, if he doesn’t respond here, you can find him in our facebook group.

[dominiquer60]

Yes that sounds like a good description. Erika

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