[Rod]

I am working on a simple solution based on what I have available which is a 10′ Log scoot. The idea is to add a small standing platform with a head board (rail) and a removable seat at the rear of the platform. The seat is one we use on the hay wagon and it has a 2″ square tube pedestal which fits a 2″ receiver in the wagon bed so I will be adding a 2″ receiver to the front bunk for this attachment. Also a couple of more bunks will be added in the back.
The platform design is kind of tricky because the two skid rails on the log scoot move independently so the platform needs to move also which means it will only be attached at one end and slide over the support on the other end.
These modifications are relativity simple and will not add much weight. They will provide a place to carry my saw and tool box as well as stand or sit on at least part of the ride. Then we will see how much my mule is able or willing to pull. I will post some photos when I get to that point.
Thanks for the ideas and input, it’s been very helpful.

[Rod]

All Good ideas which stimulate some more questions:

What would have more drag a stone boat or sled runners?

I like the sled/wagon combination idea a lot, tight turn radius, self braking yet easier to pull than a stright sled or boat, need to think on that one a bit. Are you talking about bobs in the front? Someone one here made some bobs I think, need to get into the archives.

[Rod]

@Donn Hewes 19639 wrote:

Hard to say for sure but it looks like one to me. How old is it? How much does he weight? If he is full grown and 1400 to 1600 pounds there aren’t that many mares that can make a mule like that. Nice looking mule.

She is a Molly mule, and the photo was taken when she had her winter coat. Now she is almost pure black. I don’t know her weight and I have fattened her up a little since the photo which was taken just after I got her but would guess in the 1300 + range. Jenny is 15.2 hands and is 18 years old. Was an Amish mule until she was 7 years old and has been used driving as a lead mule in a 4 up hitch, she is very steady and she rides and drives single.
Jenny is very well mannered and easy to get along with, will stand for hours without a fuss, has a real nice stretched out gait and a smooth ride. It took a while for her to settle in here (new surroundings ) and she has bonded well with our donkeys. She is a pleasure to own and use and as you can probably guess I really like her.

[Rod]

@Donn Hewes 9152 wrote:

Pretty hard to beat a Percheron mule from an American Mammoth Jack.

Hi Donn, do you think my mule is a Percheron cross? This is her photo, the folks we bought her from though so but did not really know.

[Rod]

Yes, mabe I pushed the panic button but he does look pretty big when he flies. I guess Goldens are bigger and some of my new born calves can be as small as 25 lbs. It was the behavior of my cows that made me think he was up to something as I have never seen them so agitated by anything outside the pen. When I saw them chasing the eagle as he flew away I was taken back. Never saw them do anything like that. Checking with VINS is a great idea, thanks.

[Rod]

Try this link for lots of testomonies aount the use of cider vinegar for horses.

http://www.horsegroomingsupplies.com/horse-forums/apple-cider-vinegar-for-horses-must-read-138665.html

[Rod]

A few of the things that I use are, pour on long lasting wormers like Ivermectin, putting vinegar in the drinking water and I use cattle rubs drenched with insectide solutions. I also use sulfer in one of my loose mineral licks which is designed for worm control but may help with ticks also.

[Rod]

I agree that they are possibly an underutilized resource. We have two 12 hand gelding donkeys and recently acquired a mule. The donkeys definitely do not like to get wet as contrasted with our mule who will stand out in the rain when a dry shelter is available. The think the thing with our donkeys is they can’t pull that much and one would have to almost design and build special down sized equipment to use them effectively. Donkeys are very affectionate and generally like people. They also need an equine companion. I have found them to be very smart and easily trained to do most anything. But they can be stubborn also. Ours are calf guards as the primary farm job and my wife rides them and drives a small cart which one pulls.

The mules like the donkeys come in all sizes. My molly mule is a 15 hand Percheron cross and is very easy on the hay stack, stubborn, yet easy to train, very relational, and should be able to do a lot more work than the donkeys. I am just at the getting to know you stage with her and doing some light training/tune up stuff.

Donkeys seem to be less sensitive than my mule and a little easier to handle. They are small enough that I can horse them around somewhat if they try and plant themselves where I don’t want them something I can’t do with the mule. I know donkeys are used a lot in underdeveloped countries and you can find a lot of examples of that on the web.

If donkeys could do the work of a mule I would have donkeys although I do really like my mule.

[Rod]

Hi Victoria

Marilyn and I happened to be driving through Swanze yesterday and low and behold whom did we spot but Ike out grazing with two other oxen, looked like Devons. We stopped so I could tell my wife the store of Buck and Ike as I knew it from your posts and the u-tubes videos. It was a special excitement for me to see this huge and now becoming famous ox in person. What a special thing for your community to have had with these two brutes as citizens. You have to know them before you can understand how much they can contribute to your lives and in their case to the lives of Swanze folks also. Hopefully Ike can carry on without his missing companion.

[Rod]

Hi George

I will sell it, give me a call at 802-376-5474

[Rod]

Just added a ground driven grimm tedder to my list. $300. Sold

[Rod]

The fertilizer spreader unit is no longer available.

[Rod]

Great photos, thanks Anna.

[Rod]

The Wagonette has been sold.

[Rod]

Here are some photos of the Dolvan ox or horse cart. I have a quick attach pole attachment that goes with it. The last one shows a modification I added so the it can be ridden if desired.

[Author]

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