I despaired of ever getting a post published today, due to our internet suddenly going on the fritz, but lo and behold! At 10:30pm, I'm finally getting *just* enough to put up Monday's educational movie. Sorry it's taken me so long, guys. I've been trying all day.
Anyway! Look at this amazing video that I found! It's all about the economics of keeping draft horses, and what cases they're worth keeping, versus keeping a tractor. It's super detailed, and is definitely made with beginners in mind. Topics cover choosing a draft horse, building shelter for them, how many acres you might need for a pair, repairing equipment, chores to do when you get your first team, and more.
Watching this video reminded me just how much I'm impressed by draft animals and those who work with them. And it also reminded me that this is a farming venture that I am no longer interested in pursuing. *GASP!* I know, I know; for a long, long time I always dreamed of getting a draft horse (or a pair). Shucks, I have quite a few posts about that longing! But in the past few years, I've done a lot of researching and soul searching, and I've come to the decision that I will stick to tractors (much to my husband's relief). Now, if you feel led to use draft horses, then by all means do it! And hey, send me pictures, okay? I'd LOVE to see your beautiful animals doing what they do best! Drafts definitely have a place in this world. As do tractors. And for the specific area that my husband and I are in, tractors are proving to be the most economic/wise choice for us. Plus, I admit that due to some equine-related accidents that have happened over the last two years, my confidence around horses has waned to a degree that would make horse keeping dangerous for me. Confidence is a huge key to keeping horses, and right now... I have none. I'm not out-and-out scared of horses, but I no longer have a desire to own one at present. Maybe someday I'll get over that... I would however, still love to raise a team of oxen; but I'd sell them once they reached maturity, rather than keep them. Again, because tractors are cheaper for us to keep.
But nevertheless, I will always be in awe of a well trained team of horses. I'll always feel that slight twinge that *maybe* they're something I could do, someday. And I'll always want to pet the Budweiser Clydesdales that live nearby...
3 comments:
you can't really talk to a tractor, and get affection from it.....
Ah man... I :really: want draft horses...
That is a good video - covers lots of basis. As a full fledged horse nut I learned how to harness, hitch and drive a team of horses for hay and sleigh rides at a stables long before I had any interest in getting a drivers licence. I have since been enamored by horsepower. I remember years ago seeing a TV segment about a guy logging with horses and the show compared his costs and ability to get into a wooded area vs a guy with equipment and it showed that though he could not produce the volume the guy with equipment did, his costs were so much lower that his annual profit was much higher. I have never been able to justify having enough work on my farm to keep these magnificent animals but love seeing others that do! There is a farm about an 75 minutes from me and the oldtimers farm their land with horse power and do a demonstration of threshing in the fall that I love seeing.
What is with you and your equine incidents? You know the saying that you have to get right back on a horse otherwise fear festers so you should try a totally tame trail horse somewhere to get your confidence back. Besides if you ever have your ?overdue? baby wouldn’t it be cool for your child to ride too?
Post a Comment