[houstonmule]

@jac 23854 wrote:

Only problem with hooking straight to the tongue with a double tree is the old draft angle thing again. If the tongue runs low on the neck yokes so that the line of draft runs thru to the wheelers point of attachment then it should be ok, otherwise you end up with downward pressure again.
John

Ya, I’ll have to watch that. Thanks

[houstonmule]

@J-L 23851 wrote:

I was actually going to ask how you got along with that rope and pulley set up. I have one on it’s way for my mules and horses and was going to use it on a bobsled and if it works well enough might use it dragging meadows.
John (jac) may have hit on the problem. I looked again at the photo and you would have some downward pressure on the collars and may wind up doing what he said. It may not matter when they get used to it. In looking at several photo’s of Amish using that system they had a straight line of draft so you might want to try that.
By the way, beautiful team of mules and I really like your harness too. What kind of mares are your mules out of? I really like a mule that size and those black mules w/rootbeer noses are sure pretty.

These ae out of percheron mares. The pictures make them look smaller for some reason. They weigh 1100-1300lbs.

Anyone think I should just hook another double tree to the end of the tongue and try that for a while? What about hooking the lead team double tree to a chain or cable that hooks to the front of the wagon.

[houstonmule]

Thank you. We had a little trouble with the rope and pully 4 up. The lead team walk a little faster than the wheel team. The lead team pulls until the pulley bottoms out on the double tree and kind of stalls the wheel team. They usually pull well also but something is making them hold back. The lead team ends up pulling very hard. Any ideas members?

[houstonmule]

That is an awsome picture. Thanks for sharing that.

[houstonmule]

@OldKat 23549 wrote:

Aren’t they from fairly far south in Africa? I would think that they could take some cold weather, but this kind of surprises me.

Their horns are a radiator. Their heart pumps blood up through their horns to cool them in the hot African summers. Their horns are not as heavy as everyone thinks. Quite honeycombed, so it workes against them in the winter. I do know of a guy in Manitoba that had some and he didn’t give them any special treatment and they did fine.

[houstonmule]

@Roscoe 23395 wrote:

How do they like the Albertan winter?
Do you keep them in a barn?

So far so good. They were fine last winter. They have access to a quanst with lots of straw to get out of the wind. I was instructed that the need to be out of the wind at -20.

[houstonmule]

We are in Alberta

[houstonmule]

@Donn Hewes 23069 wrote:

but Jays lines are a single line in each hand, but each hand also goes to three horses. Simple is best when trying to drive and work at the same time. if you want a drawing of the four horse neck yoke set up I could make one.

I’ve seen a few now. I’ll be able to get one built. Thanks for your help.

[houstonmule]

Donn,
Great bunch of pictures!

[houstonmule]

Donn, thats a good idea on the neck yoke, thanks, i’ll do that.

What I meant on the lines is, as I’m sitting on my forecart, I use the team lines on the center 2 mules. That way I have control of the left side of those 2 mules with my left hand. Then i run a single line to the outside left mule and check back his right side of the bit to the hame of the next mule on his right. That way I have control of 3 mules with one hand.

Mabey I’m being over cautious, lol.

[houstonmule]

Thanks, I’m clear on all explanations. That’s all food for thought. My mules are quiet , but have never worked as 4. I like the idea of having contact with 3 of the 4 sides of thier mouth with one hand, and only checking back 1. Has any of you used this method? Also who makes a neck yoke for 4?

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