[dominiquer60]

“Also, I’m still curious about whether the riding or walk behind cultivator would want to slide downhill while cultivating. The fields aren’t terribly slanted but enough so that stabilizer bars were necessary to keep tractor implements from sliding downhill. Any thoughts?”

Gravity, it is not just a good idea, its the law. All of my fields are reasonably sloped, but not too much that I can’t cultivate. I have not used a walk behind cultivator much, but I can safely say that gravity doesn’t stop working when I use the riding cultivator. Cultivating on even a slight hillside is not without challenge. Generally there is a lot of trying to use the foot pedals to steer uphill the entire time, implements and poles can easily drift downhill as the animals stay the course between rows. If the tractor needed stabilizers then that is a good sign that you will have to put effort into keeping your cultivator on track too.

[dominiquer60]

I am not familiar with this model number, Do you have a picture?

What is the width of plow (measure perpendicular from the landslide to the tip of the wing)? Single plows are generally 6″ to 9″ wide.

What is the distance from the ground to the end of the beam? If this is over 17″ it MAY be sprung and therefore may not plow correctly.

These are the 2 major questions that I ask myself when looking at a plow for sale.

[dominiquer60]

It sounds like and even better job for cattle that work well off of voice command in dense population areas.

[dominiquer60]

Taking the toe back on performances horses for a flat knee gait or for taking off over a jump is common practice. For shoeing purposes, I would lump logging horses in with performances horses of this type, horses that you want to have an easy time of rolling over at the toe so that their gait comes easy to them and the work that they are performing has less of a negative impact on tendons and ligaments. In contrast show horses that are looking for an animated gait (think hitch horses and Saddlebreds) will have a longer toe and foot, and will often use pads to extend the length of the foot.

I included this link to show what the toe looks like of a shod equine that has had its toes taken back repeatedly. http://i4.newhorse.com/dynamic/photos-category/farrier-photos-section-2009/markmartin40aolcom/2001.ce881a8fimage.jpg

[dominiquer60]

Yes it was exciting to see all of our enthusiasm overcome our doubt and pull off a wonderful event that again triggered much support, enthusiasm and inspiration in the draft animal community. Thank you Carl and Lisa for giving us all the opportunity to become involved with your initial ideas and perpetual enthusiasm. I am grateful to be part of this draft animal community that has resulted from much effort on many fronts.

[dominiquer60]

PM was lost in the switch over, but once the dust settles from DAPFD, word on the street is that the BOD will be focusing on the website and restoring some of the forum functions 🙂

[dominiquer60]

I also have Purple Glazer seed garlic for sale, if anyone is interested in having me deliver some to Barton next weekend. I am asking $15 per pound with discounts for over 10 pound orders. Email me at abingtongrown@hotmail.com.

[dominiquer60]

FYI- The link to a downloadable version of the Program can be found here http://draftanimalforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Program.pdf

[dominiquer60]

If we just practice some of these moves Ed we won’t need anything to use as a mounting block or log pile 🙂

http://www.horsejunkiesunited.com/?p=66463&fb_source=pubv1

[dominiquer60]

It appears that the file was too large, I contacted Bekah and I hope that she is able to post it here or on the page for the event.

[dominiquer60]

What a great event I hope to make it there again one of these years. It is what a country fair should be!

[dominiquer60]

Thanks for sharing Carl. Good call Donn, now your SFJ collection is complete and a hay babe to boot 🙂 I think that when we first met you were living in a tent, does the photo above mean that you have up graded your DAPFD living quarters?

[dominiquer60]

Here is our our full schedule http://draftanimalforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Event-Master-Schedule-current.8.29.pdf

Check out the Doc Hammill workshops, Info posted on our DAP Field Days page, these work shops are filling fast.

Official Draft Animal-Power Field Days T-shirts, posters and Tickets to Saturday Supper are available by pre-order only! Reserve yours by purchasing online by September 15 through http://www.brownpapertickets.com or send a check to our office with your info.

Size options: S, M, Lg, XL, XXL
Colors: Sage green, Medium blue, Dark Red, Earthly Brown
Cost: $15 each or just $12 if you pre-purchase your event tickets through http://www.brownpapertickets.com Pick up your shirts at the DAPNet Info Table at Field Days.

Deadline to order is September 15

Official DAPFD Event Posters are available in a limited edition silk-screen print. Support DAPNet and take home a lovely piece of artwork to commemorate the event. Featuring Sean Mallinson’s striking artwork that was inspired by his team of Brabant belgians, this poster is suitable for framing or hanging as-is.

Available by pre-order ONLY
Deadline to order is September 15
Send your order form to the office with a check or go online to http://www.brownpapertickets.com
Pick up at the DAPNet Info Table at the Field Days

Saturday evening – join us for a DAPNet banquet!

Local Harvest Dinner, Applecheek Farm, DAPNet Fundraiser
Tickets MUST be purchased in advance online or by check (www.brownpapertickets.com)
Deadline for reservations: September 15
$15 – 25 per person, suggested $20+ to cover our costs

Menu:
Butternut Squash & Apple Soup, Corn Chowder
Fresh artisan bread, local meat
Spinach Salad w/ goat cheese, apples & cranberries, Potato Salad
Dessert
Doc Hammill will read some Cowboy Poetry, then we’ll have an Open Mike session with music and songs inspired by draft animals and rural life. This is an evening you won’t want to miss. Evening entertainment is open to anyone, we hope you’ll join us for dinner but not mandatory.
Other evening activities: Raffle drawing, silent auction & more
Photo: Official Draft Animal-Power Field Days T-shirts, posters and Tickets to Saturday Supper are available by pre-order only! Reserve yours by purchasing online by September 15 through http://www.brownpapertickets.com or send a check to our office with your info. Size options: S, M, Lg, XL, XXL Colors: Sage green, Medium blue, Dark Red, Earthly Brown Cost: $15 each or just $12 if you pre-purchase your event tickets through http://www.brownpapertickets.com Pick up your shirts at the DAPNet Info Table at Field Days. Deadline to order is September 15 Official DAPFD Event Posters are available in a limited edition silk-screen print. Support DAPNet and take home a lovely piece of artwork to commemorate the event. Featuring Sean Mallinson’s striking artwork that was inspired by his team of Brabant belgians, this poster is suitable for framing or hanging as-is. Available by pre-order ONLY Deadline to order is September 15 Send your order form to the office with a check or go online to http://www.brownpapertickets.com Pick up at the DAPNet Info Table at the Field Days Saturday evening – join us for a DAPNet banquet! Local Harvest Dinner, Applecheek Farm, DAPNet Fundraiser Tickets MUST be purchased in advance online or by check (www.brownpapertickets.com) Deadline for reservations: September 15 $15 – 25 per person, suggested $20+ to cover our costs Menu: Butternut Squash & Apple Soup, Corn Chowder Fresh artisan bread, local meat Spinach Salad w/ goat cheese, apples & cranberries, Potato Salad Dessert Doc Hammill will read some Cowboy Poetry, then we’ll have an Open Mike session with music and songs inspired by draft animals and rural life. This is an evening you won’t want to miss. Evening entertainment is open to anyone, we hope you’ll join us for dinner but not mandatory. Other evening activities: Raffle drawing, silent auction & more

[dominiquer60]

Bekah brought up a good point. What is a matched team? size? breed? task? I really like the best horses for the task at hand, the big greys on the log arch, the black mares on the mower, the big black mare with the little grey mare on the cultivator, the two big grey geldings that look and go alike at the Fair’s farm horse show. For me it really depends on the task, I certainly don’t want mechanical perfection, I just want us to do a job well and in a manner that we can all find comfortable. Comfort in doing a job can lead to a job well done, or at least an honest attempt when the forward horse is not distracting the rest of us.

I played around some this summer with different horses (6 to choose from) to get the right team matched to the right tasks. We have 3 mares and 3 geldings. Usually we plow with 3 on a sulky plow, Sam will take the geldings because one is the “forward” type above that kind of takes over the entire hitch whether he is with one other horse or seven. I generally take the 3 mares, they are more easy going and my hands will last until we are all tired and ready to quit for the day. One day I suggested that Sam give me the slow gelding and I would trade him the fast mare. I used one gelding and 2 mares for the nicest most enjoyable evening plowing, no one was in a rush, light on the lines, everyone eased into the load and stopped for rocks (though they all do that), and that combo had never been used on the farm before. Their attitudes matched each other and the work at hand and they were calm and comfortable and so was I. Below is a photo of our calm, relaxed and comfortable team and the work that we accomplished.

Carl, I found the Les Barden literature about reins, so I am attaching it here 🙂

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[dominiquer60]

I agree with the bareback pads with stirrups they are no substitute for a saddle and can be dangerous if a tipsy rider tries to rely on them as if it were a saddle, they can also be used with no issue by some, but beware of the slippage factor. I have a felt pad for a western saddle that I ride on, if I go faster than a walk it tends to slip back some, but that is not very often. I also use it under the harness if I am riding to the woodlot or such. It helps cushion things and like grey said, keeps the sweat transfer to a minimum.

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