DAPNET Forums Archive › Forums › Draft Animal Power › Horses › Is it okay to have just one horse? › Reply To: Is it okay to have just one horse?
Michael LowI have had a single horse for 10 years. He seems to prefer working single and has at times lived as the only equine on our place without misery. I work or ride him almost daily so that helps, also he gets tie-stalled every night so more attention and interaction there too.
MCM- yes having the horse in the heart of the farm helps too, we have always had him stabled or yarded near goats, cows, sheep, chickens and dogs. I think they like that company and activity.
At some point I ran into demands of farming and logging that Brad points out surpass a singles capacity(steep VT). I bought a team of oxen and really enjoy having both the team and the single.
Why I never went for another horse to make a team is another story, and in fact I really like the oxen for the segregated ‘heavy’ work and especially like them in the woods.
Pioneer equipment has a new Summit Series forecart with a great quick exchange for pole or shafts. I retrofitted my wagon, sled and forecart for this style. Now I can switch between team or single in less than five minutes on any piece of equipment. Scoot, Bob and dump cart are team only still.
Here is a picture of abuilding I made last year for my biochar business. The team of oxen yarded the pine for the siding and 2″x12″x18′ planking. As well as the rest of the frame and plates. They also hauled in the 30 tons of rock for the foundation.
The single horse twitched the poles for the rafters 42- 14′ spruce and fir. He also drove me to work and hauled misc. tools and materials to the site.