[Donn Hewes]

Hi Rod, that depends on why you want them to be the same size. Since animals that are twice the size of each other can work together; think Maryrose and Donn, or a halflinger and a Percheron, there is no problem working animals that are not the same size. It is possible you want them to look a certain way. That is how most of us decide what to put with what.

[Donn Hewes]

A lot of good stuff has been said already, and I am probably a little foggy as I got up early on account of a back ache. No offense intended to anyone, but I like to ask my self what is simple? what do I need?

Tomorrow, or the next day I will go out and move the tongue on a fore cart from center to left side. (ten minutes with a jack and a pair of wrenches) Now I can plow snow with a three abreast hitch for the rest of the winter.

A unicorn hitch sounds like fun, just remember it won’t get you the power of a three abreast, the horses need to be well trained and experienced, and it is a whole higher skill level, and completely different to drive than driving two, three, or four abreast.

Sorry for the crouchy tone, still with the back ache!

[Donn Hewes]

John, glad to hear it. That is often the way it goes with a good horse.

[Donn Hewes]

They look pretty good. What does one cost about? Also do you worry about the amount of wasted water?

[Donn Hewes]

what is a “bar bar A waterer” ? Just wondering.

[Donn Hewes]

It would be interesting to see who had the record for most attempts to log on while it was out. I don’t know how many times I tried, but it was too many! I think it is rare that the internet actually brings people together, but that is how I see DAP. Thanks Carl, Lisa, and everyone here.

[Donn Hewes]

Hi Jen, I don’t think Larry will mind if we discuss it a little, but you are right, it is a member diary. I certainly don”t “ignore” these signs, and I tried to explain how I might respond to them. I think about how I am contributing to it perhaps, and I slow down my work to ensure the animal remains calm at each step.

I think single horses with an evener, and a chain is about the perfect job for a green horse or a green teamster. You can’t get in too much trouble, and there is the opportunity to teach the horse so many valuable skills. Like standing and waiting. Like what to do when we put the lines down. As consequence, I am sure we have all had a horse or two leave us in the woods and head for the barn. As both Carl and Mitch suggested, there are little tricks we use to try and keep them with us while we are teaching them at the same time.

Here is my basic method. When I approach a log I put the horses (or mules) nose right over the end of the log where the chain will go. Sometimes I drop the lines, but more often I put them on a hames, as I pass the animal with the chain in my hand. When I am at the head working on the chain, The horse or team is responsible for standing unattended, but I have them in easy reach if they need a correction.

One trick a young horse will like to try (especially one that has had some round pen training) is to follow you as you move from the log to the evener in preparation for spining around. As before, going slowly and watching the animal closely you can teach them to stand while you move behind them.

Once I pick up the lines and spin them around with the evener in one hand, I back them to the log. Here, I put the lines in my lap while I actually hook the chain. Not the only way to do it, but a method I like. Then clear myself to a safe place before asking the horse to go.

[Donn Hewes]

Hi Everyone, Just thought I would add a couple thoughts even though the ground has been pretty well covered already. Like Carl, I don’t usually respond to a horse that seems a little off, by radically changing my plan. I don’t really think the trained horses and mules really have those “good days ” and “bad days” like we do. I more often suspect there is something about me that is different.

Many times I have seen some one come back from skidding a few logs and say the horse was done. They could just tell the horse didn’t want to do it any more. I say but the logs beg to differ, they are still out there, waiting to come in. I never suspected the animal “wanted” to from the beginning.

I also think being alert is one of the keys to this situation. The animal will always be, so we should to. On top of that though is our ability to be calm and relaxed and train our horses to maintain this attitude as well. I can move my lines all over while a horse or mule is standing. I can hold them, or what ever. To teach and maintain a calm animal takes forcing our selves to slow down. when you find the one thing that your good animal gets a little nervious about, make it take longer to accomplish, not shorter. This could be the bridle, harnessing, hitching, standing, or working in the woods. anything. Your driving style should convey the same message of calm and relaxed at all times as well. I found that horses that drive with much pressure on the bit almost always find it hard to relax. In my experience horses with NO pressure on the bit find it hard not to relax.

Now I say “you should”, but what I really mean is, that is what I do. I suppose some might not want to work with a relaxed horse. It doesn’t mean they aren’t pullers, and I won’t work with any horse that isn’t relaxed. Unless I am training them.

[Donn Hewes]

If Meager fortune is the book I think it is; it is quite a tale of northern logging, but a little grim at times. Not exactly light hearted reading.

[Donn Hewes]

I have both straight and jointed. I never really knew why some horses liked one or the other but it seamed to me that they did. When the bit is in their mouth and they have been working, is it relaxed? A little chewing can be normal, but if you think it bothers them try the other. Most of mine are straight bar, and it seems most of the horses and mules I have worked with have found them to be acceptable.

[Donn Hewes]

George, A curb chain should be loose enough to slip a couple fingers in, but if it is too loose it will reach down to the soft flesh of the chin. It is annoying and might cause a sore right there.

Carl. That sounds great, Are the bits you bought broken snaffle or straight bar? You are almost ready for “no pressure” driving!

[Donn Hewes]

Hi Jay, I would say my baker’s choice was air tight? I think it was sold that way. Since my water loop heats our floor when we don’t need hot water, and our house is so warm, we almost never have a fire that last more than a few hours and never try to shut the stove down tight. Finally got my baler out of the shop so I could put a mower in!

[Donn Hewes]

Planning on taking pictures. I just needed to figure out what I was doing first!

[Donn Hewes]

Mitch, that is so obvious as to be brilliant. After I cut the tug I flip front piece and slide it on the ring! Put the new clip at the hames. Duh. I love this site.

[Donn Hewes]

Thanks Al, Bolts sound like a good idea. I think the nail is similiar to a rivet, in that I would cut it off and flattten the end (the nail goes through both sides of the plate). Unless the size of rivet, or material is different?

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