Trade your Car for a Horse?

Tango · #41 01/24/14, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geo in mi

Not in today's -30 windchill.......

i don't go to town all that often and know which days not to go (sale barn day and sundays) i can choose the hour of departure for after morning traffic and be back before school lets out. no getting around crossing the tennessee river but the bridge is generously wide four lane with wide shoulders. looks like it won't be this year though. i've a full plate already for the year. oh well.

badlander · #42 01/24/14, 12:38 PM

I would not trade our car for a horse. Our main ride is an 85 Mercedes. No computer, no bells and whistles. Can't relay data to the manufacturer, no gps. Nada. In a worse case scenario EM pulse, it will be on the road swerving around DOA Smart Cars.

BUT! I wouldn't mind having a 4 legged hay burner to ride on short errands up the road to the Amish general/bulk store-etc. A horse or mule can pull a cart or do other jobs around a farm, pulling wood up from the timber, etc. But when it is bad weather I am going to want the comfort of a heated cab and 4 winter tires under me.

So maybe keep the car and get a horse for the shorter trips.

lmrose · #43 01/24/14, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tango

It might sound crazy, the idea of selling off one's car and replacing it with a good sound horse. I've been thinking about this for a long, long time. Since I was in my other place raising the Belgian fillies, I've thought about it. The Amish around here have trained drivers to look for slower-moving buggies. I am only 9 miles from a mid-sized town where hardware, feed, and groceries can all be had. I don't need to travel anywhere else. I plan on selling produce and eggs and eventually raw milk for pets off my tiny farm. There is a large flea market about 7-8 miles away and another town beside it. It is much more realistic here than when I was 30 miles away from the same town.

Granted a car is very convenient. It goes long distances quickly. Its more comfortable in inclement weather. It hauls more, holds more and provides greater protection.

But what about a horse and buggy? Slower, maybe less capacity, limits the hours one can go to town (not in the burning sun, not in a thunderstorm, not at night...) and what else? Have you given up your car? Or think about it? What are the serious drawbacks you see? What, if any, are the advantages? Thanks

For the last 15 years we have lived 9 miles from town and five miles from our wood lot withouit a vehicle to get to either place. We have a horse and cart. The horse goes to the wood lot or had until this year as he is getting old at over 30 yrs now. Until now he made the ten mile round trip with no problem.
However the town where we live 9 miles from does not allow horses on the streets so we can't take the horse to town. When my husband was young horses were allowed. He is almost 69 yrs now. Now days with fast vehicles it is dangereous with a horse and cart on the roads. Even going to the woods Bill pulls over when big trucks or fast vehicles are behind him. He also puts a big slow moving vehicle sign on the back of the cart.

Times have changed and not for the better when it comes to putting horses and wagons back on the streets!

Maura · #44 01/24/14, 01:56 PM

I still say mule or donkey. They are stronger and calmer and many say smarter.

galfriend · #45 01/24/14, 02:38 PM

Tango,
I'm gonna be different than most here, and my 2 cents say live your dream! You will always wonder if you don't give it at least a try.
You can always return to a car later. Life isn't permanent.

The story of our truck in just the past couple of weeks.
Had to have the clutch rebuilt in the transmission. Due to the kill switch hasn't been working so we have had to kill it in gear. Cost of kill switch mega $$ bucks. DH just rigged a kill switch up.
Next, had to rebuild the alternator. It was dark, cold night and we were stuck at the store, and DH did an "opps" when jumping it off with the spare battery we carried.
Replaced both batteries.
Replaced tires. (only all 6)
Yes, it's a diesel so we pay the price for fuel.
Yesterday it didn't want to crank! So, now DH rigged up some kind'a whatchyamacallit button switch starter and that does the trick now.

What did I say last week? I will be so glad when DH finishes his wagon!

In a few months we will be parking that truck up (running or not)! We are going by horse pulled covered wagon on our journey West. DH just turned 70, has just beat stage IV cancer and this wagon journey has been his long time dream. Mine too, except my bucket list is via horseback. On both our bucket lists long before I discovered that longrider website (great site btw). I am in contact with a few of the longriders since.

Life, live it!

fordy · #46 01/24/14, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tango

Thanks ya'll, I'm going to think and pursue a little further. I have been looking and think it is doable with help to find the right horse and wagon. I can keep him with the goats (when I get goats) and he'll have me for company... i'm part of the herd here

Don't have a lot of safely cleared pasture yet so that is a consideration but it is also my work these days to clean up and clear and fence, so it grows in area steadily. I would need to sell the car to pay for the horse and wagon. It's a lifestyle choice that has called out me for a long time now. The savings in insurance alone would pay for the hay for every critter and leave a cushion for a vet when needed. Just as importantly I think it is good to follow our heart when the heart is based in something that is wholesome for all involved. Not much good to follow anything else in the world. I'm living testament to that.

..............I'm going to recommend you learn how to 'Chew' and 'Spit'.....tobacco , then when you're bargaining , you can giv'em the Clint Eastwood treatment ! Everytime they make an assassine offer , you just rare back and let loose with a cheekfull and aim it midway twixt their boots ! They'll either leave or make a better offer ! , lol , fordy

Tango · #47 01/24/14, 03:52 PM

I gotta say you guys rock!

more later, gotta take care of some hens right now.

fordy · #48 01/25/14, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tango

I gotta say you guys rock!

more later, gotta take care of some hens right now.

.............I didn't mean that chewin' was a full time habit , just use for negotiations ! I couldn't stand the stuff myself . Anyway , you'll need some Bib overalls and a straw hat when you start ridin' ole bessy into town , otherwise you just won't look the part . , lol , fordy

Rustaholic · #49 01/25/14, 11:39 AM

I have the horses I take care of when the owners are away.
He knows they love me more and he keeps trying to give them to me.
No way, As much as I would love riding that large Arabian I doubt I would ever get him to pull a cart. Just too expensive to keep. The old mini Arabian would pull a cart but he is way more expensive to feed. With all the extra stuff he gets he is looking great though for 30 years old.

Tango · #50 01/26/14, 05:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by galfriend

Tango,
I'm gonna be different than most here, and my 2 cents say live your dream! You will always wonder if you don't give it at least a try.
You can always return to a car later. Life isn't permanent.
...
Life, live it!

That is awesome galfriend!

I'm so happy for you and your hubby living the dream! Wow, you rock! Basically that is what I'm talking about; not about practicality or safety though those things matter. I've read many of the stories on the longriders guild site and seen some of the videos and poured through the supplies and thought and pondered and dreamed

It was one of the videos on Bernice Ende that hooked me

on longriders but i didn't have anyone to do with and i'm not so brave to do it alone. but now i'm settled but still dreaming

I tried to live in a working relationship with a horse several years ago. I adopted 3 Belgian drafts from pmu farms in Canada that had lost their contracts. That was my first mistake (3 of them), and me having no training experience was my 2nd mistake but I tamed them down. Could brush and deworm them, clean their feet, etc. but didn't have the equipment or knowledge to train them to work. But I loved being with them and speaking with them. I've made so many mistakes but I've learned a lot from them too. Mainly I've learned that my life is significantly different from most of the people I know and I can't change to conform to anyone's standards.

This time around would definitely go with a horse that is already well broke to wagon and saddle and I still have a love for the big draft horses- defintely a gelding this time to. And just one. But I think my family would kill me if I sold my car now, after all the help they've given me to put me on my feet after giving all of my belongings away a few years ago to ordain... I will have to wait and pray that I'm able to fulfill this dream, like you are about to do. Your post has given me so much joy! Live it galfriend!

Tango · #51 01/26/14, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fordy

.............I didn't mean that chewin' was a full time habit , just use for negotiations ! I couldn't stand the stuff myself . Anyway , you'll need some Bib overalls and a straw hat when you start ridin' ole bessy into town , otherwise you just won't look the part . , lol , fordy

yeah i'll need to learn to spit and gonna get me a cowgirl hat and saddlebags over my shoulders

or maybe just stand beside some kind ht member that will volunteer to save me from another

ClubMike · #52 01/26/14, 05:49 AM

I would trade my car for a nice steel horse. Maybe with a sidecar and some big saddle bags.

Barn Yarns · #53 01/26/14, 08:01 AM

Like this? I don't have a need for saddle bags. Love riding on the snow and ice :-D

Tango · #54 10/12/14, 06:07 PM

still thinking about this... just learned that an Amish group resettled just a few miles from here which is why I see them so often. getting closer to taking the plunge. finding i don't need or want a car. even my dr. is a horse ride away.

texican · #55 10/12/14, 09:06 PM

If you live right outside of town, might be a go.... for me, it's an all day ride, just into town, without a wagon.

I'd never get rid of the truck... horses are animals, and aren't always available... You've rode your horse hard all day, and as you put it out to pasture, you've got an emergency need to get into town.... ride the horse more, and kill it? I wouldn't... but then, if it doesn't die, a family does...

I might do a horse, but I'd keep the truck...

Yvonne's hubby · #56 10/12/14, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClubMike

I would trade my car for a nice steel horse. Maybe with a sidecar and some big saddle bags.

I love my steel horse! I only feed it when I want to ride it, never have the vet out, and it does what I tell it to do.... everytime!.

CajunSunshine · #57 10/13/14, 01:00 AM

Would I trade my vehicle for a horse...?

Yes indeed, because if my truck was a horse, I'd a shot it a long time ago.

.

Tango · #58 10/14/14, 08:05 AM

jeep costs $680 a year just sitting (insurance and tag). i'll look into just minimal mandatory insurance rates. my mother is thinking she might move on the land -build her own tiny house - and her car is also good and doesn't burn gas like a jeep does. agood horse and covered buggy would be about what blue book says my jeep is worth. just firing off thoughts on the issue. with winter coming a car is quick and warm. so i guess no one has done this?

Tango · #59 10/14/14, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by texican

If you live right outside of town, might be a go.... for me, it's an all day ride, just into town, without a wagon.

I'd never get rid of the truck... horses are animals, and aren't always available... You've rode your horse hard all day, and as you put it out to pasture, you've got an emergency need to get into town.... ride the horse more, and kill it? I wouldn't... but then, if it doesn't die, a family does...

I might do a horse, but I'd keep the truck...

i live an hour and a half's horse ride away from town. 8-10 miles from , dr. groceries, tsc, feed store... and still in "country"

fordy · #60 10/14/14, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tango

i live an hour and a half's horse ride away from town. 8-10 miles from , dr. groceries, tsc, feed store... and still in "country"

................Get a Mule , Festus rode one for 30 years ! lol , fordy