Forum Replies Created
- AuthorPosts
Robert MoonShadow
ParticipantThis is so great! …and beautiful, as well.
You’ve got style, performance & substance – an artform – all together here.
Might I suggest, that just prior to launching upon your maiden delivery “voyage”, that you drop a hint to the local newssource as a source of local/common interest-type story? Free publicity, and if the route & time is prominently mentioned, could turn into quite a source of attention for you…You know, if this process is documented in video or photos, there’d probably be some people interested in buying them, as an idea-source for their own adaptations. {Hint, hint :)}
ParticipantJen ~ Much more knowledgeable folks here than I for advice; I’m just letting you know I’m here, rooting you on.
ParticipantI couldn’t tell in the photos if you had anything over the top of the plastic…if not, I’d suggest elastic cord criss-crossing it, to keep it on w/ some give to it. I’ve seen this idea expanded on, to use 4 panels = 2 panels wide x 2 deep, and pulled about by a draft horse. ATTRA has some variations on it for different types of animals. Yours looks very nice, Carl.
ParticipantGeoff ~ Good idea! I use something similar = 2 55-gallon drums in the back of my p/u (to be replaced w/ a wagon & donks, soon)…have to haul the water until the river crests so we can safely put the pump in, which is usually in mid-June (although this year, with a low snow-pack…)
I remember seeing something that was a “step-powered” pump for irrigating in third-world countries – I think it was developed in Scotland. It was especially useful, since even a child’s weight was sufficient to power this thing {think a ‘stairmaster’ with benefits…}ParticipantCarl, Geoff ~ Do these need to have a motor to work the hydraulics? Obviously, I know nothing about the mechanics of it all…just thought that if a battery (or two) could operate the pump, which could be recharged overnight…
That second photo, Carl, is almost exactly what I pictured, only w/out the motor…?ParticipantWelcome to DAP!
ParticipantNot sure what day(s) she was there – I don’t think she took a team (they’d have been mammoth-donkeys)…she’s a tiny thing w/ short, very red hair & not shy a bit!
ParticipantSanhestar; I’d have to respectfully disagree with you about the donkey’s hardiness…that’s where the mule gets it’s from, after all – mine don’t even go into the barn when it snows/rains, unless the wind’s real bad. Mine’s hooves do just fine with a every-eight-week trim and no shoes. {They’re on the paved roads much & get daily picking, though}.
Mouse; From just dealing with these two & with the boss’s two work/pack mules, I’d have to say that the donks are more laid-back and willing to accept honest mistakes made in handling them…I make a few (everyday, it seems!), and they are just so sweet and willing to please, for me. I think that a mule of the same size might be stronger, though…but am not sure. I’m under the impression that with mules, some are more horse-like (to me) in attitude, behavior, etc. and some are more donkey-like, if that makes any sense.
Another aspect; my 2 donks (large-standards) are an 18-year old and her 9-year old daughter that have been pasture ornaments for most of the last 9 years. Kinsey (the mother) was trained for all kinds of harness work – farm chorres, wagons/carts, pleasure driving & even parades. Her daughter Jenny-Mae had some saddle-riding experience. Kinsey took right off with the refresher copurse I’m putting her through, and Jenny-Mae watches & learns a lot from it…I don’t have enough experience with teaching mules, to know if they’d do the same way.
Hope this helps a bit. Either way, I don’t think you can go very wrong with a longear!ParticipantUm, what’s a “purist”, anyways? Sounds like some sort of elitist attitude. :rolleyes:
Personally, until/unless someone offers to come over and help you do the compost/manure/etc. moving by hand, I’m thinking they don’t have much ground to stand on. Where would you draw the HD/machinery line, anyways? I plan on keeping my old pickup – I’m not harnessing up the donks for a 30+ ’round trip to town and back for supplies anytime soon. I have more admiration for someone who has the intelligence to adapt to the situation they’re in and make use of the needed tools at hand, rather than being narrow-minded enough to try to force the situation in the name of be a ‘purist’.
Just my take on it all.ParticipantThis type of thing happens enough w/ donkeys that many come to expect it…but not all are this calm – just most of them. I think it has a lot to say about the bonding and trust between them & their handler.
ParticipantWoohoo! I’ve been invited by my mentor to come over this afternoon to help her with her first-time-ever hitching/driving 3-abreast on her wagon, and 4-up on grounddriving. I’ll post a link to here website when she’s posted the photos. This should be very interesting, educational…and FUN!!!
*Lucky me*
:pParticipantFrom what I’ve always heard, it’s not the ears that will clue you on whether a hinny or mule, but which animal it likes to hang with: pony/horse or donkey = it’ll be most comfortable with whatever was that raised her (her dam).
Sure is a sweet thing, Jean!ParticipantWell, if the weather clears up, I’ll be spending most of this weekend at my mentor’s place…she’s got the 2 new donks (she has 3 mammoths & 1 large-standard) to try at ground-driving as a team, each to get hitched w/ old Luc (the reliable old large-standard), and possibly a 3-abeast w/ each of the new boys (Merlin and I think it’s Arthur) with Luc & Gallahad. She’s never done a 3-abreast before, herself! Lots of learning opportunities for me, this weekend! And with my new unemp. checks starting in 2 weeks, I’ll (finally) be able to get the harnesses sent to me for my girls = to discover just how much I have (or still need to) learn! 😀
ParticipantWow. I didn’t get the spam OR an email notice it’d been nuked…
I feel so left out.
🙁
*It’s kinda bad when even the spammers don’t wanna talk wit’ you*
:pParticipantHaven’t gotten any snow since early February…I’m in what’s known as the “banana belt” along the Clearwater & Salmon Rivers. My goats/donkeys are at the edge of the snow this winter (about 1100 feet higher elevation than where I’m at), although, they too, have had mostly slush/mud to deal with – it’s been a very mild winter. My sweet peas should be up any day; but it’s been pretty chilly. Got snow in Grangeville yesterday, but it’s gone, now.
- AuthorPosts