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Donn Hewes
KeymasterIn Roscoe’s pictures you see a cross between a halter and a bridle. The nose band continues under the chin. That would be a useful addition to a bridle. I have used a bit with a regular halter a few times in training and other experiments. The only thing to watch for is that the halter be fitted well enough and stable enough to give the bit a secure, steady ride. I think that is why the photos show a bridle / halter hybrid. Donn
KeymasterI had the good fortune and pleasure of visiting Jason and meeting his horses this past December. I think the first thing I told my wife when I got home after I told her what a great trip I had was, I am going to breed my mares to that horse.
All you had to do was lead Rudy from his stall and feed him some hay to get a sense of his style, conformation, and disposition. Now I just hope my mare is pregnant. I think she is, but need to have the vet check.
Sorry, Jason.
KeymasterSure look like two old pros! Nice going Ed.
KeymasterThat is a nice load of wood Carl. Question about the roached mane. Is that just personal preference or is there another reason you do that? Most all mules are roached, just the way the manes grow, but I have sometimes considered doing the horses as well. Donn
Busy trying to ted an inch of rain out of some hay before it rains again!
KeymasterI must say I find this thread somewhat confusing. In the original post you suggested two different approaches, one to learn from a mentor; and the other to learn about the working relationship in layers. I don’t understand what the one has to do with the other and why a good mentor can’t discuss these things as they fit into what you are doing. What about learning about the animal it’s self. Anatomy, physiology, senses, and how all those relate to social groups. Hopefully a mentor will lead you to some of those things, or a good book that might fill in some of those blanks.
The opposite of working with a mentor is learning on your own. Many of us have done a lot of that and I don’t think most of us would try to stop anyone who choose that as a personal preference. Many people would like more mentoring but find it hard to find and connect with. An equally large number would say that mentoring in general will help most people find safe and productive beginnings in working with draft animals.
I think all those things are important, but I also am a simple person that likes to know what a person really wants to do. If you really want to work with draft animals you should start today, and never stop. Don’t just read about it, put a harness on.
KeymasterShoe if you have to. Other wise bare foot is great. Either cheaper or easier depending on who is doing the work. Good for the horse foot health. You just need to know when “you have to shoe”. A lot of road work, rocky trails, and hard logging are the most common examples. I have done a far bit of logging with out shoes, but I wasn’t trying to make money most of the time. A shod logging horse will move bigger logs and make more money. It doesn’t hurt the horse to log bare foot.
I just sold a horse and one of the reasons was she needed shoes on her front hoofs.
I also agree with Mitch it is easy to do the trimming your self, but it would be nice to have some one show you how. I think you could mess up a trim pretty easily if you did not know what you where doing.
KeymasterHi Jean and JL, I have a mule, one I raised myself, who will play with the bit all the time. He is six this year and I think he is slowly doing it less while working. I think there are horses that will do this too. I think tightening the bit will help brake them of it when they are first bitted. But a mule that gets that habit will be harder to stop than a horse, once they start. I don’t want to over tighten a bridle for an animal that is working long hours. I guess I have learned to ignore it, but I would try to avoid it when i start another mule.
KeymasterSold!
My message was too short so the computer told me to lengthen it by ten characters. Now it is too long!
Keymasteryes it is sweet, and suprisingly soft. I don’t think I ever tried to dry dandelions before!
KeymasterWish I could add more suggestions but it sounds like you have a pretty good idea of what is going on already. Unfortunately some times it takes more time and energy than we have. Here are a couple thoughts on “no pressure driving”. Not my invention by any means; I just like to use it, and talk about it. One of it’s advantages is how it will allow for a levered bit with a curb chain. If you avoid any pressure on the lines except what is a signal or command, the bit is not being harsh to the animal. In a sense we have just made the commands loud enough for him to hear them. I will attach the article I wrote about how and why I use no pressure driving.
KeymasterBrad, that worked out good. I sold the Mare today. I hope she doesn’t come back this time. Donn
Keymasterhi George, I think you are smart to want to continue to learn about the animals and confirmation is a fasicnateing subject. Many confirmational flaws or defects don’t seriously limit a horses productive use or life. When we breed our animals or begin to buy young mares however, it is smart to start to consider how various flaws may add up. I think I begin to see things and understand a little, until I am around my 72 year old horse vet who tries to explain the meaning of every angle and the relationship of ever bone to the others.
To really say much in detail a person may well want more photos from different angles. Even then if they were there they would watch the horse walk and move to pick up more.
Like you said they work great – and they look great.
KeymasterI hear you Bill. I usually don’t start making dry hay until June at the earliest, but the forecast this week has me real tempted.
KeymasterBill, does that mean you are going to come get my horse? – Just kidding!
KeymasterHi Brad, Yes, I still have her. Yes she can go right to work. She is a willing worker. The best way I can think of to describe her attitude is that she is “up” and she is alert. She is a very responsive horse, but not the one I would put a beginning teamster with on their very first day. Feel free to give me a call and we can talk about Suzie, Donn
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