Margaret Hicks' comments
This message is from: Joel Harman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> This is from Joel Harman One should only use a 3' bar for a 1 horse mower. It would take some time to mow 10 ac with it however I think mowing hay is about my favorite thing to do with my horses. This summer I cut about 25 ac of hay with my fjords. Some of that ground was plowed & planted by the horses. I did not bale with the horses because some of the ground is steep. I need to put brakes on my forecart or baler before I will put horses in front of it. If you are mowing the 10 ac for a lawn, there is an outfit in PA that makes gang reel mowers for up to an 11' swath. Joel Harman Brass Ring Ranch Mosier OR logging & custom farming with fjords.
Dear Merek, Dear Merek
This message is from: Joel Harman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> This is from Joel Harman. I log & farm with my horses. They are not my pets. PMU ranchers have horses that are not their pets -they are their livelihoods. I am very happy that some consider their horses pets. Yrs. ago a woman would not sell me a fat, lazy, spoiled gelding because she was afraid I would work it. Her name is irrelevant. That was her opinion. I respected it but did not agree with it. I get REAL TIRED of folks bashing farmers & ranchers. They don't tell you how to make a buck, don't tell us how to make a buck Joel Harman Brass Ring Ranch Mosier OR where fjords work for their feed
PMU ranching
This message is from: Joel Harman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> This is from Joel Harman There are some women who have BAD reactions to estrogen & progesterone that are chemically derived. If there were not a need from estrogens derived from pregnant mare urine the ranches would not be there. At least they are working on the land. I would hazard a guess the land has been in their family for some time. Get over it. Worry about something you can change - like the SUV you don't really need to commute to work in - by yourself. . Do you eat chicken or pork? Where do you think it comes from? the shelf of your local mega grocery store? Or is that different, because we all have to eat. GET INTERNET ACCESS FROM JUNO! Juno offers FREE or PREMIUM Internet access for less! Join Juno today! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj.
New Horse, old horse
This message is from: Joel Harman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Folks, there is a reason I refer to my stallion as C-1389. Makes it very simple to figure out who he is. One can just plug in the number at the appropriate pedigree search engine & find info on him, or any other horse, for that matter. - -- Just a little known fact of questionable interest here. The horse, Siri, being mentioned here, would not be registerable in CFHA as she has unknowns. There may be an exception to that rule if said horse was foaled in Canada but not sure on that. Maybe Mr May knows. CFHA voted down amendment to disqualify any horse for registry if it was crossed out. So all you mule folks that would love a fjord mule look for CFHA registered mare. - --- Guess I'm either really stupid or extremely lucky(fine line there) but have never had a problem with foundering. Have put horses in grass tall as an elephant's eye right out of the corral & had no founder. Think it depends on the horse. - - Cut hay for 5 hr yesterday & still have over 1/2 that field to cut. Jord, the Life On the Ground author, was right there for all of it. His new friend, Finley, will be taking dictation soon as he STILL can't cross the road without Mom, or Dad, & his hooves are too big to work the keys. Last night I overheard them telling him to get a life, they were tired, & NO, they would not walk him home with me, thank you very much, they were going to eat & rest. They also reminded him the field is not cut yet so same time, same place, tomorrow. They encouraged him to eat then rest for another big day, tomorrow. Finley did tell me Jord wasn't interested in the carrots she offered him. I told her to keep on trying. Joel Harman Brass Ring Ranch Mosier OR haying with the family unit
Life on the Ground
This message is from: Joel Harman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Brass Ring's Jord asked me to write this as he still isn't allowed to cross the road to get to the box. He was pretty proud of himself this morning as I walked up to him in the pasture & trimmed his hooves. Stood & took it like his Dad & Mom do. Didn't even try to pull away, or have to be tied. All I had to trim were his toes. Jord is starting to look a little punk so I'll probably have to give him a haircut soon. Bye Joel Harman Brass Ring Ranch Mosier OR Logging & custom farming with fjords
Fat Fjords
This message is from: Joel Harman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Maybe this oversimplifying it but they are too fat then don't feed them so much. They only need 2% or so of body weight to maintain.
Price for a trained horse
This message is from: Joel Harman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Shame on you, Karen, for expecting folks to pay what a trained horse is worth. You should know folks feel one's time is worth about ten cents an hour when it comes to training a horse. Everyone knows fjords are born broke & need very little training. While we are on the subject, I have a bridge I'll sell you - cheap. Why, we all know anyone can train them - just look at how well mannered some are that one sees at shows. People, one EITHER PAYS FOR TRAINING UP FRONT OR LATER. The choice is yours. If you have what it takes to train a horse then you may get a fjord for less than one that is trained. If you don't have what it takes then expect to pay more. One way or the other you will pay for the training - or lack of training. Lack of training is often manifested in broken bones or injuries to you, or the horse. "Trained" is not one that has been hooked twice without wrecking. "Trained" is not one that has been ridden twice without throwing the rider. "Trained" does include catching the horse, picking up feet, loading without a hissy fit, into any conveyance, standing quietly when tied, mounted, hitched & a whole lot more! On the other hand, the only "dead broke" horse is one on it's back with 4 feet up in the air, as in dead.
The Sound of One Hand Clapping
This message is from: Joel Harman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Brass Rings Jord informs me REAL COLTS don't type on the box. Besides he's about 7 mi from the box & the folks where he is staying with Mom & Dad won't let him use their box & even though HE thinks he is old enough Mom won't let him cross the road to get home. -- The silence was deafening regarding putting your team in the Pendleton Round-Up parade 14 Sept for money, not to mention fun so I guess my 2 teams will be the representatives of the breed - again. Probably won't need to submit Jord to the humiliation of being tied to Mom's hame as he will be a teenage punk by then - wanting nothing to do with Mom or Dad. --- Saw one reply regarding that 4 letter word - AUCTION. I'll just be a CD that is skipping here - $15K at Waverly, Iowa for a team of 3 yr fllly fjords, $32K for top Clyde mare in Ill this spring, usually $15K for top Halflinger mare in Ohio every spring. Never is a long time, beyond my comprehension. Bye Joel Harman
Pendleton Round-Up parade
This message is from: Joel Harman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> This is from Joel Harman. The parade is Fri 14 Sept. Generally takes about 2 hr to complete as there are usually around 500 horse entries alone. The Round-Up committee provides stalls & hay free for horses that pull one of their vehicles. So if you want to get PAID for driving a your team in a parade, please contact me. Pendleton is 180 mi east of Portland OR on I - 84. - Riding young stock. Would you ask your 2 or 3 yr biped to carry a 50 lb backpack on a 2 mi hike? What's the hurry? I agree with Karen. Very light riding. If you are in such a big hurry to do something with them then drive them. Different stresses on the back. Young stock is also mentally immature. Gee, Karen said something about $. Do you think that is why folks ask more than meat price for older trained horses? Sounds like one of those Aresnio Hall h things to me. - Auction. Top mare at Clydesdale sale this spring $32K. top mare at Halflinger sale a few yr ago $15K. SJF auction was truely a sad event. Could get more money selling for dog food. Lots of folks no saled their horses & mules. Bye Joel Harman Brass Ring Ranch Mosier OR logging & custom farming with fjords.
Cummins & fjord losing weight
This message is from: Joel Harman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> My whole point about having to buy a dodge with the Cummins. First year it was the front end blowing out, then the trans, then frames cracking, then bodies falling apart, windows popping out ( last 2 not related to the powerplant, just mopar junk). Ford puts their diesels in super duty frames & drivetrains. The izusu diesel in chevys has no bottom end to it from what I've been told. - - Although this may be like the small child that asked "Why not just let the air out of the tires?" when the trailer was wedged under the bridge, has antone looked his teeth? If a horse can't chew the food offered to it then it will not gain weight.
Aluminum trailer for cheap
This message is from: Joel Harman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Auction Sales Co in The Dalles, OR has a 2000 18' Silverado GN stock trailer For $9400 new! This is a low price for aluminum. 541.296.1012. Diamond plate aluminum floor, slam center gate, 6'8' wide, not sure about height. No, I don't get a commission on this. Their dealership was taken from then the guy moved it to Bend, OR. - I would love to have a Cummins but they make you buy the Dodge with it. I test drove a 1 ton Dodge before I bought another Ford. It was comparable to my 3/4 ton Ford. Went from single wheel to dual wheel. Although I lost fuel economy I gained stability.
Hansel, the rest of the story
This message is from: Joel Harman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Becky Vorpagel forgot the top of Hansel's pedigree, C-1389. We must be equal opportunity information disseminators here. Even though C-1389 has a tendency to sire fillies, there have been 3 stud colts from him. Don't know if the current (& only published) colt is stallion material or not. Joel Harman Brass Ring Ranch Mosier OR logging & custom farming with fjords
fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com
This message is from: Joel Harman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Thank you for your enlightening comments regarding geldings. Good to talk about something that may educate owners that may not have much experience with horses. Much more informative than what tricks one has taught their dog this week. As I stated in my earlier post, it's your nickel. I think having geldings evaluated for new owners without much experience with horses is a good education for the horse, & the owner. The horse must do certain things when asked to by the owner - not when the horse wants to. I don't get my horses evaluated by the NFHR partly because I'm not a member. That is another story & not germane to this discussion. Be glad to share the details with you privately. Regarding gelding a horse to make it a "using horse". Guess I blew it on that one. Better tell C-1389( Trygve, or ,"Spot", my stallion, for those who love pet names) that. Since he came to me 12 yr ago he has been "a using horse", When he forgot his manners, he was "reminded" about his lapse of couth. Let's see, Pendleton Round-Up parade for about 6 yr, being led by my 2 & 3 yr old children, logging with a gelding for about 3 yr, babysitting weanlings, 3 & 4 abreast in the field, including plowing bees. I could go on ad nauseam , but I won't. It takes an experienced horseperson to work with a stallion. There is never a dull moment. - -- If one needs to teach a young stallion manners turn him in with a bunch of mares. They will gladly teach him his place. It's their job. - Susan, I talked to Brass Ring's Jord about writing more but he's bummed because "the family unit" got banished to the corrals due to grazing in the human's barley too much during a picnic. It is off to another pasture today as that corral is being renovated. He did ask me to share how neat it was to watch the big yellow thing that disappeared the hill that was next to the panels. Poof! Just made it go away. He kept on going over to Mom & Dad to get then to watch but they were more interested in eating. And the mud puddle was really neat to roll in too. Got covered with mud & didn't even get in trouble. So... he said maybe after he runs around on the hill again instead of running around & around in the corral he'll sneak into the box to write. He did say hi to all of you & wanted ALL to know how MUCH FUN it is to hang with Dad as they play quite often.
fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com
This message is from: Joel Harman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Horses are livestock to brand inspectors in the west. Therefore they should have a brand inspection. Don't know of any inspectors that carry scanners so get it done before you leave your home state. If one does hot brand their livestock it is prudent to register said brand with the livestock division of the ag dept. of one's home state. Don't be lulled into a false security because you have not been stopped yet. Fines are heavy. - -- Prineville is west of Post, OR - -- There's a reason they are gelded, folks. If you want them evaluated , it's your nickel. Would definitely help the breeder but the breeder probably knows why they are gelded too. - Is this a single harness that is for sale for $800? Bye
OK I'll bite
This message is from: Joel Harman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Lisa, Those weren't my quotes, they were through the eyes of a 16 day old colt. Ever notice how when a human, or older horse approaches a colt the colt starts chewing like crazy? "don't hurt me, please don't hurt me." So to Brass Ring's Jord it really looked like C-1389 was getting hammered. Merek, that wasn't C-1389 that got kicked in the head, Don't know the other horse. I know my horse, he doesn't take shots to the head. He had just come out of another pasture where a mare was accepting him. One mare looks like another to him, right? Pamela, the alignment of the stars, moon, whatever has nothing to do with it. The glass is either full or half empty - depends on your outlook. I tend to try & accentuate the positive. When I go down the stairs in the morning I don't stress over the chance that I may fall & break my neck - I just go down the stairs. Karen, thank you for respecting the way I choose to handle my animals. Regarding the gentleman who wants "a trained, tall fjord but $4K is too much", good luck. Makes the time spent training worth about 2 cents per hour. Loved all the input on auctions & promoting the breed by the variuos registries. Kind of like the sound of one hand clapping. Bye Joel Harman GET INTERNET ACCESS FROM JUNO! Juno offers FREE or PREMIUM Internet access for less! Join Juno today! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj.
Let them be horses, not stall zombies
This message is from: Joel Harman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Gee I'm busted! I was trying to impart some information to those that may not have much experience around foals concerning what could & SHOULD be done with young stock thru the eyes of a colt on the ground for a total of 16 days now. Let's see, so far he has learned not to fight the rope, or the human. He has been in the trailer a few times. It has an aluminum floor. It makes lots of noise. He watched 2 horses get harnessed. He has heard steel on gravel behind him yet the other horses didn't freak so he didn't freak. I'll probably hook him on Mom & do some roadwork on a cart to get my stallion back in the groove, & to keep the mare in condition so she can mow & rake hay without dying from exhaustion. Maybe you had better not read any more posts by him because the education has just begun. I apologize that you didn't get it. How stupid do you think C-1389 is? Do you REALLY think he going to get himself kicked? He knows EXACTLY how far the mare can reach. Gee, I seem to remember C-1389 getting kicked HARD when I hand bred him yrs ago. That is why I pasture breed now. He knows when that mare is ready. I'm sorry you have horror stories about pasture breeding. As I stated it, is not for everyone - particularly for stallions segregated from other horses since they hit the ground. Thank you for sharing your concerns with me. However, I will probably continue to run them in a band. It's what they do best. Joel Harman
getting hurt during pasture breeding
This message is from: Joel Harman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Good question about foals getting hurt during pasture breeding. C-1389 has pasture bred mares for 11 years now. For 10 of those years there was at least 1 foal in the pasture with him & the mare(s). He has never been hurt in those 11 years. NO foal or mare has ever been hurt in those 11 yr. This includes outside mares. I don't have him cover many outside mares by choice.. In earlier posts about my breeding program I mentioned he is the babysitter for foals during weaning. Call it poetic justice or whatever. When in the pasture as a family unit, the foals bite him, walk on him when he is laying down, kick him, etc. I have seen him discipline foals as I have seen mares discipline foals. I think a horse may get hurt when it is not used to pasture breeding. I like to let horses be horses as much as possible. That includes foaling unassisted, breeding unassisted - things they have done, unassisted, since rocks were soft. In 11 yr I have lost 1 foal & that was to a cougar. Bye Joel
CFHA Auction & some of those Arsenio Hall hmmmm things
This message is from: Joel Harman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Glad to hear that someone took advantage of the auction. Hope it is the first of many. - - And now some of those Arsenio Hall h things How come I look at "Rural Heritage", "Small Farmer's Journal", "The Drafthorse Journal", etc & see different horse associations advertising their breed yet I don't see the NHFR, or CFHA, advertising fjords anywhere? How come the Halflinger Assoc has had auctions for 15 yr? I have seen mares that went through the ring for $15,000.00. I recently posted that top price mare at Natl. Clydesdale Show went for $32,000.00. Second highest was $28,000! A team of 3 yr Fjord mares brought $15,000.00 last year at Waverly, Iowa. Is auction a four letter word or something? Is advertising by the registries prohibited in the bylaws? When I still registered horses in the FBA ( yes, Dorothy there ARE other registries besides the NFHR) we used to advertise in magazines. I would hazard a guess that owners of other breeds are just as enamored with their horses as we are. Maybe all this"promoting the breed" drivel is really about promoting YOUR fjord horses, not just ANY fjord horse. Bye Joel Harman
fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com
This message is from: Joel Harman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Leaving frog alone in not a new concept. Heard about that about 5 yr ago. Just as a review, the frog being massaged is what stimulates blood flow to feet. As for not cupping soles only makes sense as shock absorption is compromised. I think folks did both of above because it looks cleaner. Think about how much frog contacts the ground when foot is shod to help us understand why not to trim it. I often trim a notch out by the heels to make cleaning between the sole & frog easier - Brands. Check with Dept of Agriculture in suspect states or call local brand inspector. - Baths Have read on the net from a vet at OSU too many baths remove natural oils from horse's coats. Water is OK but not too many baths with shampoo. Didn't mention betadine. - Weather High wind & sideways rain in the Gorge. Farmers & hard core windsurfers happy now. Joel Harman Brass Ring Ranch Mosier OR logging & custom farming with fjords
Little known facts of questionable interest
This message is from: Joel Harman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> -Barefoot horses Did wagon rides 2 weekends in a row + a parade on the last weekend. All on asphalt. Some hills in Hood River, mostly flat in The Dalles. Probably 6 miles total. No problems with feet. Did some trotting. Wagon is 24' maybe 1000#. I did have to remove stones out of the 4 yr old after giving rides in The Dalles. No cherry bucks, Pam. They are used at local businesses in TD. For those that don't care, the maraschino cherries you have on whatever are probably grown in The Dalles area. They are brined to get rid od natural color then red dye# who knows is put in them. If your horses are used to being shod, your local farrier thanks you for the job security. -Auctions Top clyde mare went for $32K at auction in Springfield (Ill?) last weekend. Next best price was $28K. -Pavlov NO , not the comic. Good to use a treat every now & then but should be intermittant. Terrible for a youngster to lose a finger because no treat is forthcoming. Shows Show in Baker City, OR this weekend 1-800-523-1235 Bye
fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com
This message is from: Joel Harman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> It was a buyers auction at the CFHA annual meeting in Estevan, Sask. last weekend. If you were looking for an inexpensive fjord it would have been the place to be. Maybe next year the prices will be better for sellers. - -- Did the Cherry Festival Parade in The Dalles OR today. Had fun. Gave rides afterwards but wind & rain was terrible. So we quit after only a few passengers. Fjords were a hit as they always are. - Would like to hear other's thoughts on shoeing vs. going barefoot. - If your horse ignores you when you go to halter it in the pasture seems like it is time to determine WHO is in charge. Joel Harman Brass Ring Ranch Mosier OR logging & custom farming with fjords
shoes
This message is from: Joel Harman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Why bother shoeing them at all? I have never put shoes on any of mine in 14 yr. It takes about 30 mi. on gravel before they get tender. When I had bigger horses I kept them shod because they needed them. Most fjords have tough feet. Just keep them trimmed. GET INTERNET ACCESS FROM JUNO! Juno offers FREE or PREMIUM Internet access for less! Join Juno today! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj.
CHFA meeting
This message is from: Joel Harman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Anyone know how the auction that took place after the CHFA meeting in Estevan, Sask. went? No one asked me how I taught my stallion how to stop biting but I'll share it with you anyway. Never know, you might learn something. I had him picketed out & was leading him back into the pasture by the picket rope on his front foot. This a 1" cotton rope so it has some stretch to it. He took a nip at me & ran by. In doing so the rope tightened around a hind foot & he threw himself. Taking advantage of this act of providence( anyone know her?) I was on top of him like stink on (well). Didn't let him up until I was ready to let him up. Changed boy. Oh, how cruel , you say. I didn't throw him. He threw himself. Obviously, this will not be the method of choice. Every case is different. So, dog trainers, what do you all do when one of your dogs bites you? The day old stud colt put his right rear foot in my hand this am when I asked him for it. Anyone know what "earth" is in Norwegian? Bye Joel Harman
Earth Day stud colt
This message is from: Joel Harman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> C-1404 foaled a stud colt from C-1389 some time this am. Don't know exactly when as following a long standing tradition here on Brass Ring Ranch, Honey had her choice of pasture or corral to foal. It is her first & like all the other mares that have been here, it was unaided. She chose the corral. Mare & foal are fine. The hillside is challenging his balance a little, but he will figure that out by this afternoon. He has big joints & long legs. Is already pretty good with his feet but did kick the betadine out of my hand when I dunked his navel. This is a good sign. Hopefully Spot will settle Honey soon as he is slated to be sold at the Small Farmer's Journal auction Memorial Day weekend in Redmond, OR. Giving rides at Earth Day Celebration in Hood River today. No, Honey has the day off. The geldings can handle it. Cordially Joel Harman Brass Ring Ranch Mosier OR logging & custom farming with fjords GET INTERNET ACCESS FROM JUNO! Juno offers FREE or PREMIUM Internet access for less! Join Juno today! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj.
Fjord owners
This message is from: Joel Harman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I know real fjord owners would never auction off their horses. However, is it really important where a horse came from? Pedigree is more important to me. Hopefully the last owner has treated the animal like a horse so all one has to do is train & not un-train bad habits. Having said that, I would like to remind folks that the CFHA is having it's annual meeting in Estevan , Saskatchewan this weekend, Apr 21. I think I blew this the last 3 or 4 times I posted this & stated Estaven was in Alberta but I have CRS so bad I can't remember. If I did place Estaven in Alberta, Canadians, please accept my humble apologies. In any case, there are 21 horses selected for sale at this auction. FYI, Estaven is directly north of Noonon, N Dakota. Unfortunately, I need to sell before I can buy. Cordially Joel Harman Brass Ring Ranch Mosier OR logging & custom farming with fjords
Fjords for sale
This message is from: Joel Harman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Would just like to remind everyone that the Canadian Fjord Horse Assoc is holding an auction in conjunction with the annual meeting in Estevan, Alberta 21 Apr 01. There are 21 fjords entered plus tack. Contact Audrey Wood for info. 306.489.2225 - Does anyone have a #9 McCormick mower for sale? I need a wheel & right hub for mine. Thanks Joel Harman Brass Ring Ranch Mosier OR logging & custom farming with fjords GET INTERNET ACCESS FROM JUNO! Juno offers FREE or PREMIUM Internet access for less! Join Juno today! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj.
Gentle fjords over hyped
This message is from: Joel Harman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> BIG TIME, Steve. Training, training, training. (Is there an echo in here?) They can be gentle if they were taught(that's taught) manners AND the fact that they are equines, not lap dogs, when they are young. I find it very unfortunate that the truth is stretched to sell to folks that may be better off with a 25 yr veteran of a dude string instead of a cute cuddly weanling that needs direction. When I go to plowing bees, parades, etc where I am the only one with a fjord hitch I get lots of attention. I make it a point to explain about the "fjord disposition" but make sure I also explain that they are equines & need to be treated as such - that means they NEED training. Once trained they are like mules - usually they do not forget their training. - Ponies have a bad rap. Guess it makes folks feel better if one calls them horses instead. One must remember that ponies can utilize "rougher " roughage that horses. Height is not the only difference. Joel Harman Brass Ring Ranch Mosier OR custom farming & logging with fjords
DE-worming
This message is from: Joel Harman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Nit picky, however, we are de-worming. Unless there is pasture mgmt one can de-worm daily & not make any difference. Manure needs to be dealt with in pastures, stalls, whatever. Very nice if one can rotate pastures. One needs to remember horses constantly re-infect themselves & total removal of parasites is almost as bad as a pandemic of parasites. - The plowing bee in Wilson Ck ,WA was fun even if it did rain sideways Sat nite. Not too many in the furrow on Sun. We mostly sat around in the shop, ate, & told lies to each other. Progress, there was another team of fjords there. A good time was had by all. I think the discussion on hoof quality is good but have a hard time believing any breeder will volunteer that their stallion passes on bad feet. So I'll say C-1389 passes on good feet, bone, head, etc. Toot! toot.! Want to buy him ? Why do I always refer to him by number? Hard to misspell a # when looking up a pedigree. Joel Harman Brass Ring Ranch Mosier OR logging & custom farming with fjords
Plowing Bee at Wilson Ck WA
This message is from: Joel Harman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> The plowing bee is taking place in Wilson Ck WA this weekend. Horses are generally in the furrow around 9 am. For an idea of what one can see there go to www.hoof.com draft chat, picture post. Back in Feb or Jan Steve Henricks posted a pic called "Traffic Jam in central WA". There are about 71 horses in that pic. Hope to see you there. Wilson Creek is north of Moses Lake, WA Will plant the last of the fields today. Plant barley first then overseed with a grass mixture. My "new" 6' Hoosier grain drill with 1876 patents is working just fine. Too bad no one took me up on my offer of getting paid to have their horses in the Pendleton Round-Up parade. Joel Harman Brass Ring Ranch Mosier OR custom farming & logging with fjords
dentistry & shameless self promotion
This message is from: Joel Harman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> In OR an equine dentist must be licensed & can only practice under direct supervision of DVM. The 1 I saw used a speculum that was tied from above in the exam stall at vet office. If drugs were needed they were administered by vet. Vet was there during procedure. Dentist used dremel tool with many fittings. Dentist gave a talk a few nights prior to a Sat session. I'm either lucky or very stupid as have only had wolf teeth pulled on 1 horse in 25 yr. - -- Thank you to those who have purchased T-shirts & other products to help feed the starving horselogger. You know who you are. Please share with friends (or enemies for that matter.) Here is a link to look at all the images at once. www.geocities.com/qualityponies/fjord.html The wagon rides went well in The Dalles OR last Sat. Kind of a rainy day but had some riders. Joel Harman Brass Ring Ranch Mosier, OR custom farming & logging with fjords GET INTERNET ACCESS FROM JUNO! Juno offers FREE or PREMIUM Internet access for less! Join Juno today! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj.
supplements
This message is from: Joel Harman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I use a trace mineral with SE block. There really isn't enough SE in it to matter but it helps some. I never feed grain anymore. Grain = sugar. Sugar high = problems. Remember your 3 y.o. biped on chocolate? I feed corn oil. Sometimes I put it on the hay. Other times I put it on alfalfa pellets. Look at www.ruralheritage.com for info on EPSM diet. Gives one guidelines for this. In the NW there is NW supplement. I use purina horse mineral 12-12. Less expensive. only need 2 oz/day. - Giving wagon rides in The Dalles today. Mare gets the day off. Walk in the park for the geldings. Beats pulling a disc. Joel Harman Brass Ring Ranch Mosier OR custom farming & logging with fjords.
T-shirts & mugs
This message is from: Joel Harman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Following sites have head shots on T-shirts, mugs, mouse pads, etc. of a three abreast taking a blow an Ethel, WA plowing match. Different image on each site. They were awarded a blue for the most non traditional hitch. www.cafepress.com/fjords www.cafepress.com/fjords1 www.cafepress.comfjords2 For those of you that enjoy seeing horses turning dirt there is a plowing bee in Wilson Ck, WA on 24 &25 Mar. Last year there were 76 horses & a span of oxen. If you have not seen 8 horses pulling a 3 bottom plow you have not seen poetry in motion. Wilson Ck, WA is north of Moses Lake WA. Kind of north central WA. Joel Harman Brass Ring Ranch Mosier OR logging & custom farming with fjords
lost sale
This message is from: Joel Harman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> You should be glad you lost that sale as the lady probably would not have been smart enough to deal with a fjord. Then it would have been ruined & included in that vast pool of fjords that have been ruined by unaware yet well meaning owners.
starting under saddle
This message is from: Joel Harman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I wait until horses are 4 to start them under saddle. I will ride them bareback sparingly as 2 yr olds. Maybe 10" at a time - enough to get them used to having something above them. I ground drive yearlings, harness them at 2, & may put them on a cart with an older horse when they are coming 3. In the spring I will put them on a plow with 2 other horses. They will also will be used harrowing & discing fields. There will be 3 or 4 discing, depending on what is on the place. They will be on a mower & rake in late spring. If there is any logging to be done, as 3 yr olds they will be in the woods. When they get tired we take a blow. 3 yr olds are teenagers, they get tired & sometimes have trouble staying on task. That is why I like to use older horses with them so they learn to model good behavior & learn a good work ethic young. The stresses placed on an equines back in harness & under saddle are different. (duh!). By their 4th year when the saddle is put on it's no big deal. They have been worked & handled alot. Their minds have done some growing too. Brass Ring Ranch Mosier OR logging & custom farming with fjords.
Pendleton Round-Up parade
This message is from: Joel Harman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Do you like to put your horses in parades & get paid for it? Are you within driving distance of Pendleton OR? Every Sept for the last 100 yr there has been a rodeo & parade. Last year there were about 500 horses in the parade. The parade committee pays teamsters to pull one of their horse drawn vehicles. They are all well maintained. If this interests you contact me. Thanks Joel Harman [EMAIL PROTECTED] Brass Ring Ranch Mosier OR logging & custom farming with fjords
Training fjords
This message is from: Joel Harman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> All equines are fight or flight animals. Ever wonder why your horse sometimes poops when you go up to them in the pasture? Maybe the predator( that would be you) will stop & smell the pile while the horse runs off. We discussed this issue last year. Alot. Most agreed that fjords are more like mules than horses. Those of you having problems finding a trainer should look for a trainer that does mules. Mules are smarter than horses. Ask any horseman, or horsewoman. Another problem finding a trainer could start on your own place . Those cute, cuddly foals grow up to be 100# animals capable of killing a human. Not to say they will but treat them like what they are - an equine. Kind of like the perception some of us have towards vets, or farriers. They generally treat equines like equines, not pets. Unfortunately some may use more force than we, as owners, are comfortable with. We can help by teaching our cute, fuzzy foals manners. I know this is a repeat of many other posts of mine. Treat them like equines & maybe the "Oh! Isn't he a cute little thing!" comments will stop.
fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com
This message is from: Joel Harman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Pretty heads are nice if there is something called a brain between the eyes. Carol, North America is not Europe. Folks came because they were tired of folks telling them how to live ( of course we turned right around & told the Native Americans how to live). While I appreciate your persistence it may be time to let go or move to Europe. One thing I think is important is temperament. I hated to geld C-1390 because he has a great disposition but he is bench kneed & passed it on through 2 different bloodlines so he is now 1/2 of my father-son team of geldings.
fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com
This message is from: Joel Harman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Training should start when the horse hits the ground. Picking up feet - doesn't have to be very long for young horses. Just enough to know it doesn't hurt when the human holds it's foot. Sessions should get longer as the horse gets older. Every time you handle the horse the feet should be picked up. Don't just drop them when done. Let the horse know the foot is their's again & set it down gently. If the foot is pulled away you need to let the horse know this is unacceptable - you have about 3 sec to do this. If you wait longer let it go as horse will not know what it is being disciplined for. Take a hoof pick & clean the feet. Pound on the bottoms with something. Put the front out in front of the horse - like when the nails are being clinched. Take the hinds forward too. Get the horse used to having it's feet handled then your farrier will not have to train your horse. This is part of what breeders should be doing with their young stock. Teaching them to stand quietly when tied, how to be led through a gate, how to be loaded in a trailer. Practice these things until they are boring - second nature. - -- This weight formula thing for riding appears to be getting out of hand. A 100# rider can be harder on a horse than a 250# rider. It's all in working with the horse instead of being baggage. Good rule of thumb is 25% of the horse's weight. Better to concentrate on learning to stay centered instead of crunching numbers. GET INTERNET ACCESS FROM JUNO! Juno offers FREE or PREMIUM Internet access for less! Join Juno today! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj.
Standing while trimmed & bred mares
This message is from: Joel Harman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> " She is always a little hard to do." So, Martie, What did the horse do that caused the farrier to smack it in the belly? Could it have pulled it's foot through his legs while he was trimming? Maybe he thinking about not having a foot pulled through his legs while getting ready to twist the end of a nail. Sure makes a bad puncture wound when that happens. I think it's great that you do your own now. Ever had a puncture wound from a nail? Bred mares & grain Beth Valentine, DVM , is a research vet at OSU in Corvallis OR recommends feeding any type of vegetable oil & alfalfa pellets instead of grain. Grain is mostly sugar - the 15 minute high. She recommends up to 1 cup /1000#. Adds fat to the diet. Look at for more info on this diet.
Arabs
This message is from: Joel Harman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Since we are now bashing arabs anyone remember when they were 14hh short backed, hard hoofed horses that could go 100 mi at a heartbeat? Then someone decided to breed for "a pretty head". Ended up with 17hh camel necked horses that seem to only be good for turning loose in an arena & watching them run around snorting & farting as someone rattles a lead rope or something at them. Is this where the fjord breed is going, folks breeding for a taller horse, or a grey horse? I sure hope not. I don't know if it is done in Norway anymore but used to be one stallion serviced all the mares in a region. This kept some diversity in the breed instead of breeding for 1 characteristic, like height, or a certain color. Bingo, Steve! Ill mannered is a learned behavior. These horses may need some one to talk horse language to them instead of treating like they are a favorite dog. Doesn't necessarily mean using a whip or some other physical means - just some "horse talk" to let them know the human is in charge. How? each horse is different. I prefer a round pen. When they're lickin' then they're listenin'. Take home here, when your vet or farrier is what you perceive to be "getting after your horse" why not let them teach their lesson then get on with their work.
fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com
This message is from: Joel Harman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Crosses I have seen have been 1/4 horse x. Little tiny feet, big bodies, very dark dun. Didn't see any of them working. Fjords around 2K+ yrs. Strong genes. Don't know about temperament on crosses. - Log skid ( I saw that dam horse move again so Wham...! there) Really neat for the crowd. However, since crowd hasn't seen the real arena log skid thing( or in the woods where the stumps don't tip over when rubbed against) maybe, just maybe crowd would be more impressed with how the ears are back, listening, the horse(s) are collected, taking 3 steps, stopping to change direction, patiently waiting for the human to ask them for the next move. Meantime, teamster is watching, calmly stepping over the load so he/she isn't trapped between the log & tree should the log roll. HEY ! we got through! didn't hit any cones. Now for the good part . Pull it 1 foot. Basically start then immediately stop cause that's all it takes to move ahead 1 '. Now move 2'. This means start wait 0.25 sec then stop. Now move 3' Hmmm.. OK ask them to go ... 2 steps? Whoa! measure. Or. get at beginning of course. Start, zm. Come back to start. Whoa!!! Horses are pumped Crowd is screaming. Yeaa! Teamster looks, up waves. Horses look at each other, he/she said go, didn't he/she??? Zoom ... off they go . teamster tries vainly to keep up. Away they go & take out every horse & teamster in the arena, waiting their turn. Logs are bouncing madly , back & forth behind the now galloping team ... Could it happen? I don't know but I had you going for a minute, didn't I? Why risk it? Don't time it! Show the crowd how well the teams listen, not how fast they can cause a wreck. Ask them to trot pulling a vehicle - much safer.
Re: Reproductive center & ...
This message is from: Joel Harman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> So. Peg, what did the gang at CSU say about breeding 2 & 3 yr fillys? Been my experience that mares on the gain conceive better. Only mare that didn't conceive here was overweight. I allow C-1389 to pasture breed. The mare was losing weight. She conceived right out of the trailer the next year. Was not way overweight that year. Did the CSU gang give a % on the success of AI vs. live cover? Log skid - better to call it pole bending pulling a log. I'm going to beat this dead horse again because it is still moving. It is great entertainment the way it is conducted but... Synopsis for rules of log skid. - Competitor that gets between the tree(cone) & log is disqualified. This is called "in the bight". One does not do this in the woods. Good way for someone to get hurt. So, one must continually be stepping over the log. Not a real safe thing to do at a trot. - 5 pt off for hitting a cone(tree) or crossing over the outside lines. -It is allowed to ride the log is competitor so desires. While this looks like fun it is dangerous. -After each run, teamster will be asked to pull log 1', 2' & 3', Efforts will be measured. In event of tie, team closest to 1',2', &3' pull will win the event ( this cuts down on trotting, which looks neat but is rather dangerous.) - Event is not timed.
breeding
This message is from: Joel Harman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> While we are on the subject why not address some other factors besides stallions? How many breed 2 & 3 yr fillys "because they are big"? Or is this one of those politically uncorrect things we do not discuss. Since some feel their 1000# mass of muscle is one of their children, would we allow our 12yr old biped daughter conceive & deliver a baby? 2 &3 yr old fillys are teenagers too. Overweight mares seem to have more problems conceiving. Maybe we should think about before we throw out that other flake of hay. It isn't always the stallion's fault. How many overweight stallions are there out there?
Warm & fuzzy
This message is from: Joel Harman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Plowing at Happ's 17 Feb 2001. Ethel Washington.I-5 exit 68. go east on hiway 12 approx 7 mi. Look for sign N of road. 10am-3pm. Think warm fuzzy thoughts!!
Re: Future of the fjord & the registry flavor of the month
This message is from: Joel Harman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Why not talk about "the rest of the story" if we are going to start in on this bit of history? NFHR started after some line bred horses were accepted for registry in NAFA while others weren't. Why line bred? Small # of horses available in N America. Breeder B (no names here folks) gets mad & takes their marbles elsewhere & starts NFHR. Someone decides bloodtyping is best thing since sliced bread. Rumor has it it tells one who it isn't -not who it is. Breeder B sells horses that don't bloodtype so no NFHR registry for those horses. Major headaches. Breeder B takes marbles & starts FBA-no bloodtype requirement. NFHR decides to go to DNA typing. Good thing. Even though DNA shows correct parentage some of breeder B's horses some still encounter problems with getting horses registered because they were mis-identified upon leaving breeder B's care. Sound familiar folks? This is like that branch of your uncle's family that doesn't get talked about much. Joel Harman
Kathy's comments about mules
This message is from: joel harman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Stated very eloquently but I doubt you will change many minds here. Mine doesn't need changing. I have a great respect for mules. Wish I was smart enough to work them. Just curious where is your part of the country? The draft horse show in Sandpoint ID will not allow fjords there because pound for pound they outpull the big boys. When I'm allowed to go to draft horse shows I just tell all the teamsters I may have to use 3 where they only use 2 but my 3 still eat less than their 2. Once they see the fjords pull I'm accepted. I enjoy talking to the teamsters cause lots of them are older than dirt & have alot to teach me which I am interested in learning. That is what keeps me going back to the Pendleton Round Up Parade year after year. After the parade all the teamsters sit around & tell lies. It is also exciting to be in a parade with about 500 other horses being ridden as well as driven. There are some well maintained old buggys & carriages owned by the Round Up association that are used in the parade. They feed your horses & pay you to pull one of their vehicles. Not that anybody cares but I would much rather see discussions about equine related issues than baby pictures. Not everyone agrees. But that is what makes the world interesting - isn't it? Thanks again for the comments on crossbreeding without editorial comment. Bye Joel Harman
