Forum Replies Created
Thank you all for the replies…… I am pulling together a short testimonial to post in the high-profile mags, highlighting some of his contribution to the community of interest, and just letting folks know of his passing.
Later I hope to pull together a more comprehensive collection of his work, philosophy, and innovation. That should get underway during 2015, and I would very much appreciate any other testimonials, or insights into his impact as a teacher/mentor/inspiration.
To me there is a thread that runs through many of your comments that I think really encapsulates Les and his contribution to the working horse. Of course there are the standards that he set, the attention to detail, the precise innovations that many have found valuable. There is also the free and generous way that he shared his points, not as advertising, or for personal gain, but because he really took his role seriously as a land steward, animal husband, and craftsman.
A well adjusted harness didn’t reflect to him your ability, or achievement, but the comfort and functionality that it affords the horse. Those attentions to detail were not dogma for him, they were the expression of his art. He made it clear that serious thought and caring is at the root of working the land with animals, and I believe that was really what he shared.
Most of us reached out to him for specifics, but I know for me, and from what I read above from you, that what we came away with was the inspiration to think, to understand, to strive to improve understanding, and to put that into play as we perfect our craft. For him it wasn’t enough to have information to share, it was that the information he shared led to uncover the great commitment he made to his land, his animals, and to the equipment that connected them.
Thank you all…. Work hard…. and do a good job.
Carl
One more year passes with great international connections on DAP.com. Merry Christmas and happy new year…..
Carl
I have used a large brusch saw, like a huge weed whacker, but you still need to cut them low.
As long as the Stubs are less than an inch high, I wouldn’t think it would be a problem for the horses…. Especially if you have snow to pack down over them when working. I have worked through areas like this many times and never have had a foot problem…. Of course you need to weigh these risks for yourself… Don’t let me ruin your horses with foolhardy advice.
It takes a lot of work to work horses….. And sometimes that means cutting a whole lot of nasty little stems. One stem at a time, and soon enough the trail will be exactly the way you want it.
Carl
Actually Mark, and all, the Walingford hames have size numbers that do not match our conventional understanding of collar/hames fitting.
The number on the hame…. 12, 14, 16…. Refers to the distance measured between the top of trace attachment to the lowest notch for the top hame strap. In other words the number is a more accurate measure of draft location than mere collar size.
The letter …. 14B… Is an indication of the shape of the hame…. Straight versus bowed…. To meet the shape of the horse’s neck.
This requires more purposeful appraisal of the shoulder/collar fit, and point of draft location, but the hames do have adjustment notches to meet variability for each animal.
Carl
