Filed under: February 2020 | Tags: draft mare, good work for idle horses, horse training, Percheron, Percheron Horses, Suffolk Horses, Suffolk Punch
February 19, 2020
As we wait for winter to turn to maple season, we fill our days doing fun stuff. Our Percheron Abby, out for a nice drive on a cold day last Monday.
She works single, double and on either side. I like to keep her fit. This is a good way to do it.
The tire makes just enough resistance to give her something to pull. She lugs it easily. She is a good mare who will also be missed as we transition to the Suffolk Punch breed. I am proud of Abby. She moved here as a youngster. She learned well and became an important part of our farm’s power. She completes a great trio. She just turned six years old.
We drive on the driveways, because mud abounds in the fields. She doesn’t care and even when we have worked for part of a day. She’s not tired…LOL.
Filed under: February 2020 | Tags: Draft horse training, farm safety, Percheron, Small Farming, Suffolk Punch, transition
February 17, 2020
This guy right here is a rock star! He has been my buddy for many years. He can be counted on always! Today, he worked with me testing and training our new Suffolk Punch horses.
Here he is working on the left side with our mare Lakeview Amee as a partner. THey both did great. He does everything I ask. She was good too, but with a big anchor like him beside her, what choice did she have?
This time, Knight is on the right side. He is an old pro. It makes no difference where he works. He can be counted on to be steady, prompt and reliable.
These new horses are supposed to be broke. I just wanted to be sure that they met my definition of broke. Knight made sure that I didn’t get into any trouble. Once again, I am in his debt.
He and Hoss will soon move to their new home. I am glad that they will be close enough for me to visit. Their new home is a good one, but it is bittersweet that I will say goodbye.
We had a great day of training. Things could not have gone better. Thanks to my son Jake for his help and most especially…thank you to Knight for being my anchorman!
Filed under: February 2020 | Tags: Draft horse, letting go, Percheron, Small Farming, Suffolk, Suffolk Punch
February 13, 2020
In the photo above compares the size of my Percheron gelding Knight, to our new Suffolk Punch mare Amee. There is a full eight inches of height difference! It seams funny to be able to see her back when I am brushing her. Putting the harness and bridal on is a breeze with the new girls. My old, short body appreciates that fact. My geldings are big. Hoss measures 18 hands. Knight is 17.3 hands. Amee measures 16 hands. Her mate Abby is a bit shorter at 15.3. A “hand” for you non-horse folks, is a unit of measurement of four inches.
My geldings have been sold. They are still here on the farm, while their new owner prepares a stall for them. They will be getting a great new home. They will work some, but have a good retirement home, giving wagon and sled rides, mowing cow pastures and skidding a little firewood. The new owner is kind and calm. He has been driving Knight and Hoss. This gives the horses and the man a chance to meet and get to know each other.
As we transition to the smaller, chunkier Suffolk punch horses, things are going smoothly. The new girls have gotten used to the routine. They will soon be powering the farm 100% of the time, but for now, are sharing the work with the geldings. My own emotions are on a roller coaster ride. It is a bittersweet thing to be making this change. It helps me a bunch, knowing that my guys will be going to a good home. A place that I can even visit from time to time.
Our black Percheron mare, also called Abby will be headed off our farm too. We are in negotiations over her sale now. She is a flashy girl who is broke well too. I will make sure that she too gets a great place to live.
Maple syrup time is at hand. We need horses to power the sugaring operation. So far, things are working out well. I will say though that my emotions, just like the sap in the maple trees, are having their ups and downs!
RicelandMeadows 