[Rod]

I bought a Grimm GD reel tedder last year for $150 and after a few adjustments it works fine. If you can find a used one it seems it not worth the trouble to try an make something.

[Rod]

So if I am visualizing it correctly the ring is tied into the rope at a point where the loop would be snug at the top of the neck not further down?

Then to use it the snap hooks onto the ring and the lead is fed through the bit ring on one side and tied off. Is that right.

It’s much easier to use than the halter when just moving them around or bringing them up to tack up.

[Rod]

I like the neck rope idea and tried it this morning on one of my horses. Question: do you make the ring so it fits the narrow part of the neck as otherwise they can pull it over the head when the bridle is not on. I also shaved the mane behind the ears and put the front mane hairs over the bridel forehead strap and tightened up the bridle. It seemed to work better.

[Rod]

Hi Rod44

I thought about the issue of checks and the bridle which came with the harness had sidechecks on it but they didn’t seem to do much of anything so I took them off.. My harness is a “d” ring, no crouper or overcheck and I am not sure I could easily add one. (will have to look tomorrow) but those are good suggestions for the carriage but I am not sure I want them for working. I do not use snaps on any of my lines so that is not an issue for me.
Someone suggested putting the halter over the bridle instead of under it. Any thoughts on this arrangement.

[Rod]

That’s what I though it might be, I have setup my mower with one already. thanks.

[Rod]

Hi Donn

Where do you do the 3 finger test, under the throat or on the side? If it’s too tight will it choke the horse?

I was looking at the horse mane again this morning and it is real thick where the top strap goes over it, that may the problem.

Also what about the pole strap, the one behind the ears? I noticed I could take it up a hole. Is that strap meant to pull the bit into the mouth more or tighten the fit around the ears?

Thanks for your help.

[Rod]

What is a crazy wheel?

[Rod]

That was a good story and must have been kind of hairy. It’s impressive that your gelding just stood there and let the mare pull herself out and that she knew enough to pull against him to free herself. Some of these animals can be so smart when they need to be, the rest of the time I sometimes think they just let us act like we are the smart ones.

[Rod]

I have a tool which resembles a pair of pliers on the handle end with jaws that are a concave arc which do not close completely at the tips. The tips have small ball shaped smooth ends meant to be inserted into the animals nose. This tool came with my squeeze chute and is used for holding an animals head steady when working on it or to lead a stubborn animal with. I have never used it but it but it seems like something that would work for a nose bit if it were made a little different and would not require piercing to nose to use.

[Rod]

Thanks Howie, a good idea.

[Rod]

I like the video catagory kind like a focused u-tube place. I don’t know if thats practical with the present software but it would be nice if so.

I also wish more would post their stills to the photos section.

[Rod]

@Does’ Leap 9452 wrote:

In response to the questions/comments:

1. There are open guards toward the inner shoe and the appear to be straight and true.

   Hi George

   What I meant by the bent guards is when a guard hits something from below it can bend up and lift the blade up a little so that it does not shear as it should on the adjacent stationary plates. Think a pair of scissors or tin shears with a loose pivot screw. It’s the same principal and issue, when the two surfaces are not in contact the cutting action can then just bend the material being cut instead of shearing it. The way you can seat the knives is to bang any high guards down to seat the adjacent high knives on the stationary shear plate. The guards are malleable and meant to be adjusted this way.

   That may be something you know and not the problem but is worth checking. To do this just look for knives that are riding high and not setting down on the stationary knife and you can usually spot the high guard causing the problem.

[Rod]

Are your rock guards still down where the belong. It one hit something, got bent up and lifted the blade that could account for the increase in clogging.

[Rod]

What about halters? Is it safe to leave them on the oxen when not using them?

[Rod]

Hmmm, intersting points worth thinking about. Likely not completely accurate but certainly contains some elements of truth.

[Author]

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