[TBigLug]

I’ve often wondered the same thin and am very interested in seeing what people have to say. Have you thought about getting together with some neighbors or other ranchers and splitting the cost? Just a thought.

[TBigLug]

Sometimes people reccomend not overly iling them because the oil can cause the stitching to wear out faster. I oil mine religiously three times a year. Once in the Spring when I start working them again. A light oiling mid summer. And one more right about the time I put it up for the winter.

[TBigLug]

Like jen said, a lttle isn’t anything to worry about. I’ve got a 9 y/o that has done exactly as your horses are on and off for as long as I’ve had him. He’s neve slowed down eating and it doesn’t seem to bother him. They’ll be fine.

[TBigLug]

For the sake of full disclosure around here, good alfalfa hay goes for $4/ first, $5/ second, $6/ third. Grass hay goes for about $0.50 less. My interest is in selling for a dollar less than they can get it locally. Last year gougers here ran the price on alfalfa hay up to over $9/ bale. Over in Missouri where my uncle lives he has to pay $7 for grass already, and it’s not even winter.

[TBigLug]

@gunslinger598 3556 wrote:

I just don’t think I want to give the rates here for someone to come in and buy it all, so it would limit whats available for us local folks.

I prefer buying direct from the person who is producing an eliminating the middle man.

Don’t worry. I don’t have any intention of buying your hay given I produce all my own hay myself. I can produce it a whole lot cheaper than it can be bought. What I am looking for is alternative markets to sell bulk amounts of hay for less than what they are paying for it locally. If I find enough of a market to make a business out of it, that would give me enough incentive to lease more ground to produce more hay.

[TBigLug]

Also, if anyone knows of websites theat give regional hay prices/ auction results, I’d appreciate that as well.

[TBigLug]

We use metal hame fasteners on ours working around the farm. When we pull, we either use the heavy duty ones or do a double nylon strap.

[TBigLug]

@Rick Alger 3511 wrote:

Straw is $8.00 a bale at the nearest Agway.

Whereabouts are you at? I’ve got a bunch of straw I’d sell ya’ for $6.00.

[TBigLug]

Nice pics. Thanks for sharing. I think at one time or another we’ve all wanted to pet our horses from the comfort of the easy chair.

[TBigLug]

YouTube’s great but you’re correct on the comments thing. I generally just ignore the comments. They’re usually posted by crystal gripping city hippie’s that think any animal working is abuse. Ignore the neigh-sayers and post away.

[TBigLug]

For weight and strength we’ve had great luck with bio. I like the look and feel of leather though. After a while leather gets heavy throwing it over a 19 hander.

[TBigLug]

I’ve never heard of the green sweet corn stalks. I might have to try that this year.

[TBigLug]

@cherprit 3453 wrote:

When I asked him about cutting it down into a one horse, he looked at me like I had just grown two heads…………

LOL I can see it now. I think you could do it with one horse. You could even fab ub a set of shafts that would put your horse right next to the uncut hay so you don’t have to keep it in the middle or side.

[TBigLug]

Positive Reinforcement. Easy to say, sometimes harder to accomplish. Maybe try picking up and picking out one foot at a time. Then trim it while it’s up there. Keep it on the lighter side make sure it’s a good experience. I know, I know, it’s easier said than done, but with alot of patience and some time he should come around.

[TBigLug]

@Ira 3420 wrote:

Steady daily work is probably the surest method. When he is standing do you tie the lines so that he can’t flop his head around to much?

This summer he was worked 4-5 days a weekfor a couple hours at least. One of the advantages of being unemployed was having more time for the horses. I don’t tie the lines to anything. He does it just standing at rest for a minute while working.

BW-
He does it on a pole along with just eveners. I do have a ring so he can’t pull the buckle through. Grandpa had one run away on him during an obstacle course a couple years back so ever since we made sure to lock it down. I’ve tried the reward thing. Stopping them every hundred feet while dragging their tires but it just seemed to exacerbate the problem. Maybe come Spring he’ll calm down when we’re plowing. This year he did really good all Spring but, once we pulled him the first time he got a little worse. Then after the second pull a little worse. Now while training for our last pull in Ovid and ever since he’s gotten to where it’s no fun to use him anymore. Maybe his mind will reset a little over winter.

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