Thank you so much for this piece - I grew up admiring the sets of yokes hung on our barn walls, after treads and tires had long ago replaced hooves. I loved learning about how these were made to work with the animal's physiology. Agriculture category, @Substack! Make it happen!
I’ve heard to train them with a bow yoke, but try a head yoke on a mature team and see if their pulling power increases. I wondered if part of the advantage might be in how much more their movement has to sync up. Often you’ll see oxen stepping in perfect time with each other, swaying together like mirror images. If their heads have to move together as well, might that give an extra boost? 🤷🏻♂️
I’m an admirer, would love to keep oxen someday, but with a young family, I might have to start with a goat chariot or a donkey before I graduate to the big leagues.
Delightful read, love this stuff. Why do you work oxen rather than draft horses? I’d like to read your take on the pros and cons of each.
I’ll write my next piece on that very topic! 😁💚🐮🐮💚🙏🏽
Thank you so much for this piece - I grew up admiring the sets of yokes hung on our barn walls, after treads and tires had long ago replaced hooves. I loved learning about how these were made to work with the animal's physiology. Agriculture category, @Substack! Make it happen!
The yoke is a timeless symbol because it works. 😁💚🐮🐮💚🙏🏽
Thanks for the interesting an informative tutorial. You also answered my question about using your oxen as working draft animals.
😁💚🐮🐮💚👍🏽
I’ve heard to train them with a bow yoke, but try a head yoke on a mature team and see if their pulling power increases. I wondered if part of the advantage might be in how much more their movement has to sync up. Often you’ll see oxen stepping in perfect time with each other, swaying together like mirror images. If their heads have to move together as well, might that give an extra boost? 🤷🏻♂️
I’m an admirer, would love to keep oxen someday, but with a young family, I might have to start with a goat chariot or a donkey before I graduate to the big leagues.
The nice thing about oxen is that they take about 5 years to mature. If you start with calves you can ease you way into it. 😁💚🐮🐮💚👍🏽
This is fantastic, Kevin. Thank you for writing. I'll be starting a new pair of calves this July, and your note's got me extra excited.
Thank you so much 😁💚🐮🐮💚🙏🏽