[Donn Hewes]

A brief reply, just to say I think it is an interesting topic and I look forward to the responses. I have never pulled any of my animals, and have never really wanted to. The reason is simple. I never have felt it was something I was particularly good at, and I don’t think I have ever had animals that were particularly good at it.

As an observer I have had two general experiences. I have know some of the best teamsters I have ever met, and they have been State Champion Pullers as long ago as the 60’s and 70’s. The qualities they expressed while working the teams came out in the photos of their championship teams. While I have never seen Jason pull; this is an example of someone who plays like he works. Beautiful. I have also been to some pulls were teamsters that could not drive or handle the horses attempted to pull heavy loads with horses that couldn’t stand and took two people to control, and were in no way calm, collected, or prepared for their task. I did not enjoy it all. It can be satisfying to look for the little, scrappy team that will tighten their traces before they pull and see how far they will go. Jason, tell us the whole story. Beautiful sport, but what are the down sides? Thanks Donn

[Donn Hewes]

Hi All, It is important to remember that there is no ‘one’ right answer. Here are some of the things that we considered in fencing our horses. First, many of the same hazards with high tensile fencing would be risks with using a single strand of ploy wire. There are certainly some breeds and individuals for whom this would be more challenging or dangerous. I don’t have any horses like that on my farm. I believe draft animals by nature are a little less likely to have these issues. Having said that, I am very careful with each new horse I bring home.

What is the stocking density in a new paddock? Is there more food available than will be needed for the desired length of stay? Will shade or water be needed or wanted? Have the horses or mules developed a habit of inspecting the perimeter of a new paddock? Most importantly what is the temperament of the animals?

Finally, Just like with the type of stalls you use or how you chose to lead your animals, they must be trained to your system.

[Donn Hewes]

Hi All, It is important to remember that there is no ‘one’ right answer. Here are some of the things that we considered in fencing our horses. First, many of the same hazards with high tensile fencing would be risks with using a single strand of ploy wire. There are certainly some breeds and individuals for whom this would be more challenging or dangerous. I don’t have any horses like that on my farm. I believe draft animals by nature are a little less likely to have these issues. Having said that, I am very careful with each new horse I bring home.

What is the stocking density in a new paddock? Is there more food available than will be needed for the desired length of stay? Will shade or water be needed or wanted? I may not think they need it, but I also don’t want to give anyone a reason for leaving. Have the horses or mules developed a habit of inspecting the perimeter of a new paddock? Most importantly what is the temperament of the animals?

Finally, Just like with the type of stalls you use or how you chose to lead your animals, they must be trained to your system.

As far as spreaders or stays goes the fiberglass posts are about 40′ apart and the fence is plenty tight enough to span that. Donn

[Donn Hewes]

Hi Geoff, I think most often people referring to “high tensile” fencing are referring to 2, 3, 4, or 5 independent strands of high tensile galvanized wire. The number of strands depends on the animals you want to keep out, and the animals you want to keep out. Some systems have every strand “hot”, while others alternate between hot strands and grounded strands. Some times a system like this can help in area with dry soil I believe. When they touch both strands they are grounded all the way back. Woven wire is best when stretched, but I don’t think they usually consider it under tension.

We have about four miles of perimeter fence and some is 4 strand, some is five. This is the norm for sheep farming as it keeps the lambs in. The newest fence we built used the new style fiberglass posts. They are UV stabilized, flexible enough to bend to the ground, and use a stainless steel clip to hold the wire. They were very fast and easy to install. we used three wood posts in the corners, and a wood line post every 200′. Next time I will use even less wood line posts. This fence is about five years old and it has been great. Donn

[Donn Hewes]

Hi Dave, He looks great. You will be amazed at how much one can do. Donn

[Donn Hewes]

It is legal as far as I know. I never asked anyone. No smell. Just like a regular compost pile. Donn

[Donn Hewes]

we start to graze our sheep a little the first of May and they are usually our full time by mid May. The first few trips we really take them on a slow walk, let them graze a little, and put them back in the barn. These trips can be aimed at an area that has just been seeded to trefoil and it will help to set the seed. Usually I will seed into a hay field as as it will do less damage to the emerging plants than all summer grazing. Our hay fields rotate each year. Donn

[Donn Hewes]

At least I can get your thread back to the top. I have used frost seeding with good effect. I seems to work best with the legumes, clover and trefoil for example. Grasses do a little better with more bare earth or tillage. The nightly frosts are supposed to set the seeds in contact with the earth, but harrowing large acreage with a team, or single horse, is great easy spring work, and will only help the seed. Early spring grazeing can also be used to set seed. One of my pictures in “horses and mules” is of a team of four up harrowing in the early spring. great fun. As for clean up, if I haven’t done it by spring it will have to wait. I hope you are having fun with Peanut. Donn

[Donn Hewes]

Heck, He might grow up to be a mule man, but that’s OK. Good wishes, Donn and Maryrose

[Donn Hewes]

Horse power, What do you pull the All Crop 66 with? Horses? Donn

[Donn Hewes]

Hi Carl, Great pictures to demonstrate the continuing training of a nice looking horse. Let me suggest what strikes me in your photos. Your eyes, and I believe your awareness, are focused on your horses head. I mean focused intently. If we had a video I am sure we would catch you glancing at the ground ahead or the log behind; but it is clear to me that you are watching her head to see were she is going both mentally and physically. You are both relaxed and comfortable, but as a teamster and a trainer you are still alert. That alertness is what allows you to “lead” the horse while it learns the intricacies of its work. Thanks, Donn

[Donn Hewes]

So far the price is close to 800$ For two canvas. I will keep looking. My old canvas has some rot in it, but maybe I can have it repaired. Donn

[Donn Hewes]

John, Thanks a lot. That looks like the ticket. I will call them tomorrow. Donn

[Donn Hewes]

I have never done it, but the 12A is a 5 foot pto combine that I think will be very manageable for me and my pto cart. My horses and mules too. Erik Andrus (aka good companion bakery) explained to me why traditionally binding and threshing were separated. It involved cutting at the right maturity to not loose it from the stem, but then curing the crop completely before it was threshed. With a combine you are trying to cheat a little on both ends. If you wait for it to fully cure on the plant you may loose more in the cutting. Combines in this way resulted in a lower quality flour. Erik, help me out if I didn’t get that right. I think I will try to use my combine because I have one. Perhaps I can err on the side of loosing some grain.

[Donn Hewes]

I always tell people it is the funnest thing I have ever done; and I have done some fun things. Mountain climbing in Alaska, driving fire engines for the last twenty plus years, rappelling on skyscrapers in Manhattan, none better than driving a good team and doing some useful job. Aaron, keep going back!

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