@EruditeCanadian Most people tend to say that horses are faster and can cover more ground in a day. I don't have much experience with oxen, but in general I would say that horses and mules tend to handle the heat a little better. That being said, these oxen in the video kept up with the horses all day. I do like the idea that when the oxens working life is over he can go in the freezer. They can get by on lower quality feed and no grain as well.
Right on. They sure seem to be keeping a good pace in this video! I'd love to learn how to drive a plough. It's pretty cool to be able to do things the old way and know if you had to, you could put food on the table without having to rely on anyone else.
yes i would like to have oxen someday but currently i can't. devons could be off limits though as i live in Europe. also heard they are recomended for experienced teamsters only. i'd start with something like a pair of holsteins or brown swiss in a head yoke, that's my favourite system. if you like discussing oxen and draft animal issues, i reccomend draft animal forum. type: draft animal power, and click on the first.
Not only were they very fast walkers, they kept that pace all day! The guy plowing is Jim Butcher, farm manager at Carriage Hill Farm Park in Dayton, Ohio. He said for him they walked at about the right speed, and he did a great job of plowing with them. If you are thinking about Oxen, devons might be the way to go for you!
The lines are attached to a ring in the nose to allow a person to walk behind and work them like horses. They did respond to voice command very well though. He did not use the lines much.
It is possible to use only voice commands. Most ox drovers use a combination of voice commands, body position and the goad. Personally I would not rely on only voice for public appearances but would probably be more comfortable doing some jobs on the farm. There is a good book on the subject by Drew Conroy.
Is there any benefit to plowing with oxen vs horses?
EruditeCanadian 2 months ago
@EruditeCanadian Most people tend to say that horses are faster and can cover more ground in a day. I don't have much experience with oxen, but in general I would say that horses and mules tend to handle the heat a little better. That being said, these oxen in the video kept up with the horses all day. I do like the idea that when the oxens working life is over he can go in the freezer. They can get by on lower quality feed and no grain as well.
KYGuyz 1 month ago
@KYGuyz
Thanks for the reply.
Right on. They sure seem to be keeping a good pace in this video! I'd love to learn how to drive a plough. It's pretty cool to be able to do things the old way and know if you had to, you could put food on the table without having to rely on anyone else.
Keep it up!
EruditeCanadian 1 month ago
yes i would like to have oxen someday but currently i can't. devons could be off limits though as i live in Europe. also heard they are recomended for experienced teamsters only. i'd start with something like a pair of holsteins or brown swiss in a head yoke, that's my favourite system. if you like discussing oxen and draft animal issues, i reccomend draft animal forum. type: draft animal power, and click on the first.
bluemoondiadochi 3 years ago
wow, they are FAST! heard devons were fast but didnt know how much. thanks for posting.
bluemoondiadochi 3 years ago
Not only were they very fast walkers, they kept that pace all day! The guy plowing is Jim Butcher, farm manager at Carriage Hill Farm Park in Dayton, Ohio. He said for him they walked at about the right speed, and he did a great job of plowing with them. If you are thinking about Oxen, devons might be the way to go for you!
KYGuyz 3 years ago
oh, another question: i saw lines, what's the method, i couldn't see it. are they trained by nose rings or are the lines attached to the ears?
bluemoondiadochi 3 years ago
The lines are attached to a ring in the nose to allow a person to walk behind and work them like horses. They did respond to voice command very well though. He did not use the lines much.
KYGuyz 3 years ago
@KYGuyz Is it possible to use only voice commands? Or is that too much of a safety net gone?
Cratylos 1 year ago
@Cratylos
It is possible to use only voice commands. Most ox drovers use a combination of voice commands, body position and the goad. Personally I would not rely on only voice for public appearances but would probably be more comfortable doing some jobs on the farm. There is a good book on the subject by Drew Conroy.
KYGuyz 1 year ago