[Robert MoonShadow]

They sure don’t quibble about the quality or price of the produce : they have about an 80-day growing season, and most have vacation homes there, so are used to farmers’ markets & higher prices in their cities.
As for the stories; the market-managers placed me way in the back, between the largest outfit there (who are merely re-sellers, not growers, but HUGE & low priced) and…the porta-potti!! 😮
Sold out every thing I had, every week…something about “you make it FUN to bring the kids & make a day of it…”
Next year, I’ll be taking the donks as ‘ambassadors’…

[Robert MoonShadow]

…and no, you really shouldn’t ask how I came to know that last bit of information…
😎

[Robert MoonShadow]

@Carl Russell 12204 wrote:

Now I specifically wrote “moonshadow wisdom”:D

Carl

Okay, then; here’s some: when out nude moon-bathing (kinda like sun-bathing, only…) no need to use any sunblock; but during a full moon, a moonblock of at least 30mpf.
Oh, and some tall bushes to screen you from the neighbors…yeah, most definitely that. :p

[Robert MoonShadow]

@Rod 12199 wrote:

Hi Robert

We have a “D” ring harness for our 12 hand donkey. Does your harness maker need dimensions or what they look like in order to put one together? Because the dimensions should come from your animal. Les Bardon has a great video out which is all about the “D” ring harness and I think any experienced harness maker could make one from what is shown on the the video plus the animal measurements. I had mine custom made but the maker is now retired.

I’m thinking he needs both; my girls are 50″ & 52″ (approximately – the vet measured w/ a cloth tape, not a stick)…where would I contact this Les Barden at? He’s willing to come over to this side of the pass to correctly measure them up, if he has the plans to know what differences are there between his usual work/show harnesses and the D-ring. He’s seen them in action & has always thought to build a set, but no one here uses them, so I’m supplying 1) the plans 2) the opportunity 3) the motivation (as in cash). Am I correct in thinking that the collars are the same?
BTW: How do you like this type of harness? What do you use it for, with your donk?

[Robert MoonShadow]

Reading this thread,after being gone from here all summer – trying to get a bit closer to getting my own place, with very limited “success” – I’d have to say that it’s about attitude & expectations: what do you REALLY need & what is it worth to you?
I see many mentions on ‘sacrificing’ this and that for “living the dream” –> I’m sorry, but I’m an American = I want it all, and expect it. It’s not how many toys you have: it’s how much time you get to spend playing with the toys you DO have. And the adjustments you make to fit it all together.
Case in point: I don’t want or have any use for a nice car or even a big fancy new truck. What for? My Datsun p/u is paid for. Have to get it fixed, but I can have the whole motor rebuilt for less than a year’s payments on that 2009 Ford 3/4 ton deisel p/u my boss just bought for $42k. So, when I say I want it all – AND expect to get it – it’s because I have taken the time (like 5 years in prison) to decide what I really want.
Freedom.
Freedom to pursue my dreams…and to fail at them, if it so happens.
I looked around the other day, when the place I wanted to rent/eventually buy was sold to someone w/ the $$ up front, and realized: I want a farm w/ livestock, draft animals, a vehicle, a lifemate beside me, and the respect of my neighbors to either accept me or leave me the hell alone. I’ve got 2 donkeys that just fit me right, 20 goats, 16 1/2 rabbits (one got out & lives in the yard w/ the ferocious dog & cat)…and no one bothers me at all if/when I choose to celebrate my Pagan holiday Samhain (commonly known as ‘Halloween’).
And I’m hot on the trail of land to rent, not buy…for now.
There must be 50 kids in the 3 towns I sell in, that call me MR. Pirate-Farmer; as do many of their parents.
Yep, I want it all…and I think I’ve got most of it.
Attitude, my friends.
What do you really want?

[Robert MoonShadow]

I’m not sure, but I see no reason this wouldn’t work for cattle, as well as it does for goats…
I have 20 goats; I handle them a lot, and taught the mommas a basic idea: “Ggoooaaatttiiieeess!!” = oat/barley treat time.
I use electric netting in 165′ rolls – usually 3 or 4 rolls together in whatever configuration/shape is needed. When I move them over to the new section, I just turn off the fence, and move it; it doesn’t take very long (about 10 minutes per roll – I already have the outline planned & weed-eated down). The goats (and now, my donkeys), tend to just graze nearby; they never wander too far – in fact, I’ve had to deal with curious baby goats (and donkeys!) “helping” me – and when I’m ready for them to be put away, I fetch out the bucket, call “Donkey girls – ggoooaattiieesss” and quickly dump the bucket in about 10 pans. Critters in, stretch that last panel, hook it up & watch them settle in. Alternative for when they get out: it’s similar to what was mentioned by another = place a pole on the netting (or wire) and lay it on the ground; chouse them over & in – no need to unhook or turn off the fencing. (Learned this one from watching the 2 people here w/ 700+ head of goats when some get out).
I might add that when putting up a temporary fence, that instead of going to all the trouble of guys, etc. in the corners, that setting the corner post at an angle leaning outward adds tension to the line/netting – sufficient enough to last the several days it’s up in that place.
I hope this helps.

[Robert MoonShadow]

Your type of stalking does…in fact, I’ve even sort-of-completed my facebook profile.

There’s a fine line betwen stalking and nagging…I’m not sure what it is, though. :p

I really don’t see what the movie stars have a problem with…it’s kinda nice to be stalked. 😉

And Carl; if you’re expecting anything resembling “wisdom” from this Pirate-Farmer, you’re probably in for a long wait…and disappointment.

[Robert MoonShadow]

Grey ~ If there’s still interest in a harrow cart, the antique dealer I deal with has 2 harrow carts…I think he said for about $200 each. I could check…he actually likes that I am taking the old stuff and actually using it, instead of as a lawn ornament. I’m not sure where at in Wa. State you are, but I’m 70 miles s. of Lewiston, Idaho.

[Robert MoonShadow]

So, Dave; how has this harness worked out for you?

[Robert MoonShadow]

Is this mare still available?

[Robert MoonShadow]

If you still have this for sale, I’d like to see a photo, if possible…would want to use them for me 2 large-standard donkeys at 50″ & 765# & 52″ & 650#

[Robert MoonShadow]

I just got back to this forum after being gone all summer…naturally headed back to this thread! I bought 2 jennys this summer; Kinsey (the mother) is 50″, 17 y.o., and done it all, literally = parades; living nativity scenes; worked from a single up to a 4-abreast on harrows, etc.; ridden in the mountains; guard for sheep (and now my goats); snigging 4′ lengths of firewood; pasture ornament for the last 9 years or so…her daught Jenny-Mae is 9, the previous owner’s daughters rode her & Kinsey, but she’s never been harnessed.
So, one trained but “rusty”, and the other’s been handled a lot…plus just made a sweet deal on an 8″ walk-behind plow (yay! One small enough for the donks!) and a w-b cultivator…for 1 1/2 cord of lodgepole firewood in the round. Pretty decent shape, considering they were in open storage at the local antique dealer’s. {“Hey, dude – how about letting me put that lawn ornament to REAL work, as it was intended?”}
So…anybody interested in ‘talking donkey’ w/ me? 😎

[Robert MoonShadow]

Hi, Jean! I’d like to see more photos of this JD ground-driven baler, if you don’t mind. {Been gone a while & just found these photos – great job!}

[Robert MoonShadow]

Or maybe one of the Gods or Goddesses is tickling their baby-toes… that’s a definite possiblity.
{Um, referring to your ‘signature’ line}
Hello, and welcome!!

I’m Robert MoonShadow, AKA the Pirate Farmer…and since no one else has greeted you (and no one’s watching, to warn you) I thought I’d be the first to say “hello”.

“Hello.”

Oops, I already said that.

:p

[Robert MoonShadow]

Oldkat; Correct = the scraper-blade sits on top out of the way, until needed & inserted from the bottom to scrape clean the trail after using the teeth to rip the sod/ground. On an old trail that needs reconstructing, there is usually a high or inner side (when cutting across the face of a hill or slope). That’s when the teeth are angled or straight out to the side = to rip the inside edge & cut it new. If on flat ground or at least a level tread (the part you actually “tread” upon), the teeth are inserted straight down. These have several holes for adjusting depth-of-cut. These teeth will actually tend to ride up under a rock & pry it out… assuming the animal is a “digger” like Ellie-mule! She just digs down and leans into the collar & things just tend to move. A singletree is attached at the point of that triangle-frame & can be swung about to offset the apparatus from the animal, as needed. I’m probably not explaining it very well… think of a trail cutting across the face of a slope >>> the angle is say 8 degrees, and the trail has already been laid, but is now old & the upper/inside edge needs redefining. Place those teeth to the inside of the trail, choose the angle needed & place teeth accordingly. One guy leads Ellie along the old path & the other guy handles the machine, lifting up enough to slide over big boulders & roots, etc. Get as far as you’re wanting to go (usually about 100 feet or so, depending on the animal’s conditioning/strength). Turn that big girl around on the 18″ wide trail (hence her nickname “the 1700 lb. ballerina”), flop the trail ace off the low side of the trail, bring her past, swing the trail ace up & around behind her, then either switch the teeth over to the other side or bring the scraper blade into use. This works best on trail reconstruction = a good animal can do as much in 1 day as 4 fit guys with pick-mattocks. And she doesn’t get $28.50 an hour! On new trails, you’d have to cut a tread for her to get her footing on. The “shoe” you see in the center underneath, is a height-adjuster & makes it all go a bit smoother (notice that it’s curved, to allow it to be rocked up-and-over obstacles). The teeth are the same ones Bonner gets for his mini-excavator & are tack-welded on, and are various sizes, as seen in the photos (I hope).
I apologize if this is too wordy = it’s difficult for me to descibe because I’m not skilled like Jason & Carl with these types of explanations.
Both guys will be exhausted at the end of 8 hours (assuming they switch off) & the mule or horse really earns it’s pay (good grain)… but that big old red girl is ready to go the next morning… unlike some of the guys! 😀

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