[Rod]

Bring up another question about sweat. Should a sweated up horse be blanked in cold weather until it drys up?

[Rod]

I just discovered dry corn stalks from the garden as a filler or treat feed. The horses love them and sometimes find an ear which we missed. Thinking about growing some extra corn next year just for this purpose. I put the whole stalks right in the feeder.

[Rod]

I found the thread and it was about Donn Hewes harvest, has a photo link also. Here is the url http://www.draftanimalpower.com/showthread.php?t=220

[Rod]

Hi Andrew

I found this article which explains the process. I also recall a discussion about ice harvesting which I think was on this forum but I can’t find if it was. http://www.mapcenter.org/community/bcv-history3.html

[Rod]

Their is a photo of ice harvesting in the photos section under horses.

[Rod]

Interesting posts. My ponys are used for both working and pleasure driving single and double. It the latter case i like them to move a little faster and make them trot. But it doesn’t seem to cause them to try and move out when I am working. They basically do what I tell them to do but I wonder am I building my self a problem by using them like that?

[Rod]

My unscientific observation with my team is this.

My fore cart with myself on it weigh about 550 to 600Lbs (I am 260Lbs.) and my single Halflinger has a hard time pulling it up one of my steeper grades.

My team of Halflingers however will pull a wagon load of people (1500 + Lbs. ) up the same grade with much less strain and effort.

That’s what made me think that the multiple effect might be more than twice the single.

Neil. I would love to see that experiment.

[Rod]

One reason I asked is I heard at the field days oxen group that two oxen will pull more than twice the load that a single ox will. Something about working together I guess. I know it depends on the teamster and the teams but I assumed all the factors being equal in my question although I didn’t write it.

Their is a physical limit as to what a horse or team can pull. I see it with my horses especially when I drive a single. Their are loads and places where he can just about make it up the hill. I have been thinking about adding another Halflinger for three up to haul manure and some of the other harder jobs and wondered if doing so would equal the pulling power of a regular sized team for those instances.

[Rod]

The price of land part of this discussion brings to mind a program in Vermont and likely in other states as well that helps make affordable land available for agriculture. It’s a program where by the State buys up development rights for land and farms leaving only the use value for Ag, forestry etc left in the parcels. Thus the owner can glean the development value from his land and still sell the remaining use value and a reduced price equated to the production value of the land. It helps to realize that we never really can own land but only rights of use and subject to societies rules and regulations such as zoning, wetlands, taxes etc. As some of these rights are subtracted for the land the dollar value drops accordingly but if its a remaining use that has value for the buyer it can create good buying opportunities for some.

[Rod]

I put my horses on a wooden floor with rubber mats on top. They have access to a small open pen area and use that for their waste deposits. Both are gildings and I have not had as much as one pee on the floor. Good manners I guess but I feel lucky.

Our donkeys who are supposed to be the ones not to soil their pen bedding come inside to do their messes and then go out again to the attached open pen. Go figure.

[Rod]

Hi Donn

I really liked the power forecart you built and am thinking about doing one for myself. I have a good base already and can easily find a engine. Wondered if you would be willing to share the following information? Where I can find the spline shaft and pillow blocks? Also does your unit have a single or double drive belt and what size was it? Also what are the pully diameters? Thanks.

[Rod]

Hi Don

Do plan to stop by, would love to meet you both and talk cows.

I was interested that 24HP would run a square baler. What kind do you have ?

[Rod]

Hi Donn

I had a question on your forecart which I admired a lot. Do you use it to driver your square baler?

Sorry I missed meeting you at the field days, you were busy everytime I was nearby.

[Rod]

We have an Austrailan Shepard about 7 years old. He was given to us as a young dog and we sort of trained him to work sheep and cattle which he is very eager to to do. But after he got kicked a couple of times we stopped using him on the cows who now come when called anyway. Dusty is now a retired cow dog, family companion and pet. He still has strong urges to herd and chase which we have to keep an eye on especailly with the Donkeys and Horses neither of whom are afraid of him. An kick from either would likely do him in.

[Rod]

I have a Pequea PTO drive 125 bu spreader which has a lot of problems with the manure pack I get around the feeders. The beaters bend, break and hang up on the real heavy stuff. I try to get it at least partly composted and broken down before I spread it to avoid the problems I have had with it.

Now I am looking at an older used spreader with the rake teeth and the sprial spreader on the back. What can I expect for performance with this setup. Is it going to jam up with the manure/hay pack or will it pull it through and spread better than my present modern design unit?

[Author]

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