[ox]

Here's a little run down on our oxen experience for those who might be interested.

Singing Falls Oxen

 

[uncle Will in In.]

OX, You have a great site with excellent pictures. I was at an auction where the old man was selling a huge collection of old time wagons and carts. He sold a yoke of 9 year old dark red oxen, and a three year old yoke of jersey oxen that were guided with lines to there halters. The driver got to ride in the cart.

 

[willow_girl]

What a wonderful site!

 

[Haggis]

A way cool site. As I am training a set of young heifers for the yoke it makes it even more way cool.

 

[ox]

Thanks for the encouragement concerning our site and the oxen page. Bright is now eleven years old and I may even train another set. This time I'd try some shorthorns or highlanders. Something that would be real hardy in my neck of the woods.

 

[willow_girl]

I must admit I cried when I came to the part about Tears' passing. :waa:

I'm glad to hear Bright is still alive and well!

So, heifers can be trained to the yoke?! Maybe I should be doing something with this little Jersey-cross girl of mine!

Will a calf that's been raised on its mama (not bottle-fed) respond to training? Both my calves (6 and 4 months) are tame enough for me to walk up and pet them. I'd sure love to find a use for this steer, other than the freezer.

 

[ox]

I must admit I cried when I came to the part about Tears' passing. :waa: I'm glad to hear Bright is still alive and well!

It was probably the hardest thing I've ever gone through with my stock. Losses are always tough but we had spent quite a few close years working together.

So, heifers can be trained to the yoke?! Maybe I should be doing something with this little Jersey-cross girl of mine!

Many pioneers did just that. That's why the milking short horn was so popular. They were a multi-purpose critter in the old days

Will a calf that's been raised on its mama (not bottle-fed) respond to training? Both my calves (6 and 4 months) are tame enough for me to walk up and pet them. I'd sure love to find a use for this steer, other than the freezer.

You bet. In fact, 6 months is usually the right starting time. I started early because I didn't have a clue what I was doing. If it didn't work out, into the stew pot they would have gone. I found that the Holsteins make a great ox but they can be somewhat "spirited" at times. But by a like token they can be very forgiving of a newbie's foibles.

 

[shelbynteg]

I am so moved by the story of your oxen, thank you for sharing that with us.
Your wife is a tremendous writer, I am now beginning your pilgramage pages.

Thank you.

 

[MullersLaneFarm]

Wonderful site! I first visited it after the article in Countryside.

 

[willow_girl]

Ox, I know what you mean, as I have a young Holstein cow that tends to be "spirited"! She actually was culled from the farm where I work because of her misbehavior, but she has mellowed out here into a good pet, although she still has an uncanny knack for opening gates and letting the whole herd out for a sortie in the neighbor's clover patch! :haha:

How does one go about breaking in a young steer? I have a skijourning rig for a large dog that might be big enough to serve as a (temporary) harness if I were to hop right to it.

Little Beefy (the steer) is of mystery origins ... I bought him at the sale barn when he was a day or so old ... he was only 70 pounds, smaller than the other calves, and dark brown in color. The auctioneer said he thought he was "one of those mixed-breed calves." I think he sold cheap ($50) because people assumed he was Jersey. Frankly I can't see any Jersey in him, though (head etc.) and he has since turned black, with one little white patch on his tummy!

 

[Haggis]

The Rural Heritage site has some cool stuff; lots of history info, and here is a fairly new site by some fine Canadian neighbors http://prairieoxdrovers.com/index.html.

 

[ox]

How does one go about breaking in a young steer? I have a skijourning rig for a large dog that might be big enough to serve as a (temporary) harness if I were to hop right to it.

I broke mine to lead with a halter first. Then took one command at a time in halter. Ged'up, Woah, Gee, Haw, Back, Step-over, Come-under (the yoke), Come. I walk on the left (off side) of the ox, halter and lead in the left hand, and rod in my right. I take one command at a time and reward with praise for each correct response and a little switch for errors. I don't go to the next command until the bovine does the present one very well. I TRY not to work them on bad days (mine or the ox's). After the basic commands are down pat I integrate them. Haw! Woah! If you're working a pair of steers lead one off out of ear shot of the other for the initial training sessions.
Next step was to train them in the yoke. Since they both know the commands they reinforce eachother in the yoke. This should be the first time they hear the commands together. It will amaze you how they will teach eachother to obey with this method.
One thing I have heard and learned - "No team is 100% trustworthy!" Another rule is, "Don't let them get away with anything". That cost me a ride being dragged by two oxen through an Oregon mud and manure slush mixture that was well churned up! Come to find my Aussie shepherd was herding the same time I was woahing ( or is that woeing :no: ) He didn't think the oxen should be dragging me and the oxen thought a yipping Aussie was a good excuse to do so. (We having fun yet?)

 

[ox]

OX, You have a great site with excellent pictures. I was at an auction where the old man was selling a huge collection of old time wagons and carts. He sold a yoke of 9 year old dark red oxen, and a three year old yoke of jersey oxen that were guided with lines to there halters. The driver got to ride in the cart.

I have never used a lead and halter once they were trained except in a public situation where someone might of gotten hurt. Oxen can "throw their weight around" on occasion. I know others have. I have had many a ride though, on a drag of logs giving the commands from behind the oxen, instead of on the off side of them.