[Donn Hewes]

Working with mules has taught me something very useful that I believe has been good for horses as well. That is be very careful about what you choose to make a rule. Only make something a rule if you really need it to be a rule. That way you won’t spend hours, days or, weeks teaching and enforcing your new rule that wasn’t actually needed anyway. In my mind if I make it a rule, it is black and white; you shall, we will, they must.

On our farm horses and mules are being lead to every corner of the farm as the nightly turn out changes to different paddocks. I expect them to stand while haltered, stand as a group once on the lead ropes, wait while gates are opened. This is all on lead ropes, and it is great training for driving and work. here is a picture of six horses and mules being lead. Now what would this picture be like if I had a whip. Yes, I could do it, but it wouldn’t make it easier to catch, lead, or work them.

[Donn Hewes]

Most bearing on a lightly used forecart will not wear much if at all. If they roll now they probably will for years. I did once have an old cart with bad hubs, The wheels were welded on, The rims were shot and I couldn’t fix a flat. Used it for a few years before I found an axle and rebuilt the cart.

[Donn Hewes]

I guess I was thinking it would bolt on the existing seat post. You would have to hold it up there to see if the seat post is long enough. I used to live in Maytown. I have some good friends down that way. Find an old implement that is no good and cut the seat bolt, take home the seat.

[Donn Hewes]

Hi Grey, No offense intended but that should be almost free. There is no seat, no evener, no guard rail in front, no draw bar to hook implements to, and no flat deck area. I also like a tongue that can be moved to the side in case you want to work a team of three. I hope you don’t mind me saying all that. For free I would probably take it home and start cutting and welding, but I wouldn’t drive very far for it. Not hard to bolt an bolt on an implement seat. Just my two cents, Donn

Looks like it is down South of Maytown!

[Donn Hewes]

It will be interesting to see what you get as answers to some of these questions. I have a couple thoughts to start out with.

I know alot of people expect their horses to come when called, or wish they would. My horses and mules will be by the gate some times and other times not. If they have been in harness several days straight they can pretty well quess what today will bring. My rule is no one walks away as I approach with a halter. Don’t even turn your butt toward me. A new horse is taught that this is not exceptable and they stop doing it. I don’t feed any grain so it takes away one of their reasons for wanting to come in. They are ussually out on excellent pasture. Why would any horse in their right mind want to give that up to go plowing.

As for a whip, they will have their place and can be useful in certain training situations, but if you carry it with you all the time that is how I will see you and relate to you. Here comes the guy with the whip. Let me try to explain what I mean. I could see the whip being a barrier between you and them being relaxed and comfortable. Alert, relaxed and comfortable should be one of your goals for them and you, as you are working. Good question, I expect you will get afew more answers. Donn

[Donn Hewes]

Hi Ralph, There was a long and interesting thread about training mules a while back. You can find it in this “mule” section, in a thread titled “helping a friend train some mules”. In this thread you will read many different views of how to proceed with a young team of mules. Good luck with them. Donn

The elbow bit that Jason is referring to is part of a larger class of bits that all include leverage with a light chain or strap under the horse or mules chin. Liverpools, both straight and snaffle (broken) fit in this group. I use these bits on all my horses and mules, even though some may not need any leverage at all. Depending on how you choose to train them and drive them, these bits could give you an added degree of safety. What ever bit you use I highly recommend teaching them to go lightly on the bit. That is how you make the leverage into a safety tool, that is there if needed.

[Donn Hewes]

Hi John Deere, Big question, What are the mules like? Have you driven them? How much driving experience do they have? What kinds of work do you want to do with them? Short answer – If they are working well and know how to do their job, buy the same bit only not rusty. Otherwise you might want to consider some other factors before you change bits. My two cents.

Mules wear a bit for the same reasons a horse does; and the same variations based on teamster preference, driving stlye, and animal temperment will determine what bit each uses. Donn

[Donn Hewes]

JL, They look awesome. Straight a head and heads up! Nice. Donn

[Donn Hewes]

This is why I don’t let myself post anything after too many hours in the hot sun. Yes, I think the pulling contest sounded like a lot of fun – and good for horses. Donn

[Donn Hewes]

That looked and sounded like a lot of fun, and great for the horses and teamsters. I have never been to a plowing match like that but I know I would enjoy it. I have been getting my younger horses to plow a little sod and it is kind of like a plowing match with out the crowds. Donn

[Donn Hewes]

I have been running two number seven’s that way all summer. It is a good way to try it out. For big horses in good condition I wouldn’t say the differences are huge, but my dolly wheel mower does seem to pull a little easier when the going gets tough. Hard to say because you never know if one has a slightly sharper knife, etc. Getting ready to start making second cutting hay here. I will ask if they can get a kit together. Donn

[Donn Hewes]

JL, How are you at welding? I would like to ask Leon if you could buy a kit with all the parts except the 4″ channel. I am not a great welder but I think I could put it together if I had the parts. How is it going this summer? Horses and mules keeping busy?

[Donn Hewes]

Here is a close up picture. My wife spoke with Leon last night and he was happy to bring five dolly wheels for me to the Cortland auction. It was unclear how many more I could get in that time frame – I would have to ask him. He gave us a ten dollar discount so these are $165! Donn

[Donn Hewes]

The photos of the dolly wheel in action are in the “mule” section, in the thread called “horses and mules mowing”. It is about the third one down. There is not a real close up. I could take one if some one really wanted one. Donn

[Donn Hewes]

Hi Mark, Good questions. No, it really doesn’t make it longer. They come with a new draft rod from the evener to the knife head, but that is so it fit’s just beside the tongue and not under it. Once you cut the tongue, you take off a few inches and bolt the rest back on the front. I would say there is not really any vibration left going up the pole. Some of that may be transferred to the operator. Anyway I don’t think it will make a rough machine ride smooth. The ride on mine has been fine. I have taken to using a seat cushion on all my steel seats, but I am getting soft, you know. When I mow, then ted, and then rake, and then bale some hay, I was ending up with a sore butt. I also noticed that you are really on a machine with a shorter wheel base. When you go through a dead furrow in the field you will notice the pitch and roll more, but not such that it bothered me.
I can’t think of much to say about hills. I have pulled one long stretch of moderate up hill (about ten acres) and the horses an mules seemed to be working as easily as my other mower. For anyone worried about low tongue height, a dolly wheel keeps your drive shaft, pitman and knife right were they belong. I think most of us don’t operate with the 32″ or what ever the tip of the tongue is supposed to be.

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