I worked a single steer for six years on my small farm. I did two things differently and my yoke design was different but accomplished the same results. I never used britches and used much longer chain traces with a grab link to reduce the pulling force or work. I sure do miss those days on the farm. Blessings to you and family!
Tim, thanks so much for such a good explanation of setting up the britchen and the trace carriers. This is helping me a ton, I"ve had my britchen adjusted too low.
I enjoy your videos about the steers! I hope to get a pair of dutch bulls of my own one day and I love seeing other people with them out being useful! My little old momma cow would be proud to see your fine animals representing the breed so well.
I absolutely love Oxen, I had a pair of herefords with a head yoke, I very much prefer head yoke although it is more work. I'd love to have a single ox in a head yoke someday.
Interested to see someone comment about using Hereford. This is the breed we were looking to raise for working oxen next year but they seem to be less common than other breeds. Would love to know what your experiences were with them.
Our Dexter is broke to ride now, but this makes me want to finish her in harness and working. She is like yours, super fast and willing to move out. Thanks for the great explanation. I would love to see your set-up with something with shafts, and watch the draft to check how it should look on my cow. Great tip on britchen adjustment. I was told to keep it looser with the equines, so will try mine like you have it here.
5 acre homestead, so about 4 useable out of that. We have too many equines on it, though, so we aren't a good person to ask abot how much acreage they need. But the breeder in Lufkin who had 3 herds of Dexters for many years said 2 Dexters per acre.. I can ask my other Dexter owner friends, and u can email me if u want.
al mirar estos hombres me recuerdo lo que yo hacia en mi juventud con mi bueyes en el campo que grandes recuerdos saludos a estos hombres que ermosura paa
Tim, Thank you for that comprehensive description. I was interested to see that you make your bows from laminated timber, what type of wood do you use?
Such a wonderful video. I so want to try training an ox. Where can I find a pattern to build a single ox? I am wondering how deep to make the grove for the neck ect………. Any help you could offer me would be fantastic,
Excellent video. I stared to watch an ox pull video earlier that appeared to be from Eastern Europe. I stopped watching when I saw the oxyokes were just str8, 4x4 pieces of lumber with padding material between the necks of the oxen and the lumber. I cannot imagine their forefathers used that lazy way to make an Ox yoke. I then searched Maine Ox Pull and found American and Canadian Ox yokes that were properly made like yours. I wanted to make a single Ox yoke like yours after I finished my Red River French Cart used in the FurTrade, but I just never got a round to it. I did not have an Ox, so ............
Thank you very much. That was very informative. It looks like you take good care of your animal and your equipment. I really enjoyed watching and learned a lot. Does his tail stay under that leather strap that runs behind him? I'm just curious.
Tim, when you laminate the yoke do you also bolt it together for extra torsion strength, or just glue, this could potentially make the availability of suitable yokes more readily accesible. I am very grateful for your excellent videos which I regard as a valuable learning tool.
I'm looking to build a yoke for my water buffalo. I would like to use your design how wide is your yoke and how should I determine how wide to make mine to fit the animal properly?
This website shows a team of charlais moving some medium loads at 8 months old, and its certainly a good idea to start handling your calf at as young an age as possible. smallfarmersjournal.com/working-steers-and-oxen-on-the-small-farm/
Where did you get your Brichen stuff? I am training a single at the moment and only have a training yoke however pretty soon I'm going to need to start adding the rest of the Equipment. Thanks! P.S. Great Video thanks for all the tips!
Do you think a cut bull moose if raised from a calf , could be broke to work. He could maybe out pull a good ox. Then haul him around they would line up all day 5dollars a head to see him pull ! Did you ever us a horse collar upside down on your fine ox.
A book you suggested was “the pride and joy of working cattle” by Ray Ludwig of pine island press. I am unable to locate this book. You mentioned potentially knowing how to get in touch with the author. Is this still a possibility? Oxen: a teamsters guide is another you suggested. Is there any other books you would recommend?
+Paul P The differences in harnessing equipment are mostly due to the differences in the animal anatomy. Horses and mules pull more with their chests while oxen pull with their necks and shoulders. I chose an ox over a horse because they're calmer, less skittish, than a horse. Also my dairy cow had a calf, so he was free :-)
My husband and I have many questions. Can you suggest a good book for reference? We live in Denmark Europe and have a small holding. I have 2 steers in mind to train. One has a cleft lip we are keeping for a pet. The other chap is very attached to me and will let me handle him and even sit on his back plus comes to me when called. Thanks for your attention. Please give Will a bit of bread or carrot from us because he was such a good boy during filming.
There are a couple of good books, one is "The Pride and Joy of Working Cattle" by Ray Ludwig. Not sure if you can find it on Amazon, publisher is Pine Island Press, 69 Pine Island Lake, Westhampton, Mass. 01027. If that does not work let me know, I can probably find an address for contact with the author. Another one is "Oxen: A Teamsters Guide" by Drew Conroy. That will be on Amazon.
You will see that occasionally in historical pictures of oxen because horse collars were so common. But the inverted horse collar does not really suit the bovine anatomy well and the collar will exert pressure on the points of the ox shoulders. Neck yokes are much better suited and more comfortable for the animals.
+TMHarrigan I remember reading Laura Ingalls Wilder's "Farmer Boy" as a kid. The chapter devoted to Almanzo's training of his young oxen was fascinating. I had long assumed it was a lost art.
"I would love to see a Yoke on him and make him drag that log." There is a human version of a single yoke that is designed for pulling ice shelters, sleds, and deer carts. yes, it can be used to pull small logs. The yoke harness is easy to use and quite comfortable.
I came here to see yokes because of the bible lol! Matthew 11:29King James Version (KJV) 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
the cow is considered to be the mother, coz we drink the milk she provides. an ox is considered to be the father, coz he works hard in the field. this is acepted by all the self-realised sages and saints....killing them is considered to be one of the greatest sins...
+alphasxsignal It doesn't hurt the animal. They enjoy working. If he didn't enjoy it, he wouldn't do it. Better to be a working animal than steaks and roasts because that's about the only other thing a steer is good for.
So better he spend tens of thousands of dollars and burn diesel for hours every day rather than have a good working, respectful relationship with an animal bred to do the work whose waste products enrich the soil (and eventually the larder)? As if
That boy is so content. Must be fed well and happy to work for his master.
I worked a single steer for six years on my small farm. I did two things differently and my yoke design was different but accomplished the same results. I never used britches and used much longer chain traces with a grab link to reduce the pulling force or work. I sure do miss those days on the farm. Blessings to you and family!
BEAUTIFUL ox you've got there!
Thanks!
Adorable yawn from Will at 2:46
Always amazed with what you can find on the internet! Thanks for sharing. Very informative.
Tim, thanks so much for such a good explanation of setting up the britchen and the trace carriers. This is helping me a ton, I"ve had my britchen adjusted too low.
You are welcome.
I enjoy your videos about the steers! I hope to get a pair of dutch bulls of my own one day and I love seeing other people with them out being useful! My little old momma cow would be proud to see your fine animals representing the breed so well.
You can also use a horse collar ,you turn it upside down . A guy used it to pull the feeders and hay mangers around with his huge Angus bull .
I absolutely love Oxen, I had a pair of herefords with a head yoke, I very much prefer head yoke although it is more work. I'd love to have a single ox in a head yoke someday.
Interested to see someone comment about using Hereford. This is the breed we were looking to raise for working oxen next year but they seem to be less common than other breeds. Would love to know what your experiences were with them.
Really a fine video. Most enlightening. Thank you
Thank you so much for the video. The most explicit and helpful I've seen.
this is absolutely fantastic,
I have huge respect for both yoy and Will.
Such a magnificent being Will is.
Excellent video. Thanks for sharing your understanding
Most interesting. Thank you. Now I need a Hereford.
Great video thanks what a well trained ox iam looking forward to trying that
hes so well behaved! wish mine would be like him
Our Dexter is broke to ride now, but this makes me want to finish her in harness and working. She is like yours, super fast and willing to move out. Thanks for the great explanation. I would love to see your set-up with something with shafts, and watch the draft to check how it should look on my cow. Great tip on britchen adjustment. I was told to keep it looser with the equines, so will try mine like you have it here.
KK Icons , how much acreage do you have your heifer on?
5 acre homestead, so about 4 useable out of that. We have too many equines on it, though, so we aren't a good person to ask abot how much acreage they need. But the breeder in Lufkin who had 3 herds of Dexters for many years said 2 Dexters per acre.. I can ask my other Dexter owner friends, and u can email me if u want.
I've heard of a local farmer using a upside down horse collar on a big angus bull to move the feeders around , to muddy for the 🚜 . No problem !
Very nice video, much appreciated information that other don't share
Interesting. Thank you for sharing.🐂
Thanks so much. Hoping to have a go!
Thanks for making this video!
What a beautiful animal, I wish I had such a pet.
al mirar estos hombres me recuerdo lo que yo hacia en mi juventud con mi bueyes en el campo que grandes recuerdos saludos a estos hombres que ermosura paa
A very intresting video, thanks for sharing.
Great video!
Tim, Thank you for that comprehensive description. I was interested to see that you make your bows from laminated timber, what type of wood do you use?
Woah!!! This is sweet!!!!
We need classes on this
Thank you for this video!
Appreciated Thanks
Such a wonderful video. I so want to try training an ox. Where can I find a pattern to build a single ox? I am wondering how deep to make the grove for the neck ect………. Any help you could offer me would be fantastic,
very good info.do you have classes on your farm and what state are you in?
Excellent video. I stared to watch an ox pull video earlier that appeared to be from Eastern Europe. I stopped watching when I saw the oxyokes were just str8, 4x4 pieces of lumber with padding material between the necks of the oxen and the lumber. I cannot imagine their forefathers used that lazy way to make an Ox yoke. I then searched Maine Ox Pull and found American and Canadian Ox yokes that were properly made like yours. I wanted to make a single Ox yoke like yours after I finished my Red River French Cart used in the FurTrade, but I just never got a round to it. I did not have an Ox, so ............
Such a beautiful animal.. :D
will this work with my dog :P
inspirational! advise for cows? can the truly be a triple purpose animal?
Thank you very much. That was very informative. It looks like you take good care of your animal and your equipment. I really enjoyed watching and learned a lot. Does his tail stay under that leather strap that runs behind him? I'm just curious.
Will's tail goes under the strap. T
Excuse me, Will's tail goes over the strap
Thanks, I had just been curious. I think I'd seen oxen in Bangladesh with it over, and in one of your videos, I thought it was under.
Thanks
Tim, when you laminate the yoke do you also bolt it together for extra torsion strength, or just glue, this could potentially make the availability of suitable yokes more readily accesible. I am very grateful for your excellent videos which I regard as a valuable learning tool.
We will never know.
I'm looking to build a yoke for my water buffalo. I would like to use your design how wide is your yoke and how should I determine how wide to make mine to fit the animal properly?
Thank you...a great teaching video. Where can on one purchase a yoke as shown?
They are not difficult to make. I think Tillers International has a tech guide with instructions for making a single yoke.
Could you make a video or provide plans on how to make a yoke?
Beautiful, thanks a lot, at what age I can start training my calf?, i have 1 year old bull and i want to train him
This website shows a team of charlais moving some medium loads at 8 months old, and its certainly a good idea to start handling your calf at as young an age as possible. smallfarmersjournal.com/working-steers-and-oxen-on-the-small-farm/
Where did you get your Brichen stuff? I am training a single at the moment and only have a training yoke however pretty soon I'm going to need to start adding the rest of the Equipment. Thanks!
P.S. Great Video thanks for all the tips!
I got the brichen from Berrybrook Ox Supply in New Hampshire. I don't think they are in business anymore.
Darn. Thank you for the reply :)
Use a horse harness , turn the collar upside down been done works fine.
Great video, I love it. May i ask, what bread is your ox, or bull?
Will is a Dutch Belted
TMHarrigan thanks
@@TMHarrigan in dutch his naam is lakenvelder
nice
Do you think a cut bull moose if raised from a calf , could be broke to work. He could maybe out pull a good ox. Then haul him around they would line up all day 5dollars a head to see him pull ! Did you ever us a horse collar upside down on your fine ox.
A book you suggested was “the pride and joy of working cattle” by Ray Ludwig of pine island press. I am unable to locate this book. You mentioned potentially knowing how to get in touch with the author. Is this still a possibility? Oxen: a teamsters guide is another you suggested. Is there any other books you would recommend?
I believe if you contact Rural Heritage you may be able to get a copy of Ray's book. Those two books will serve you well for now.
At 6:35 I think someone just shot their deer! lol
Bullock Team PART2 just something that you may find interesting and aussie bullocky ox drover) struttin his stuff for a crowd
Why do oxen require such a big wooden yoke, while other draft animals get lighter harness gear? Also, why would one choose oxen over horses or mules?
+Paul P The differences in harnessing equipment are mostly due to the differences in the animal anatomy. Horses and mules pull more with their chests while oxen pull with their necks and shoulders. I chose an ox over a horse because they're calmer, less skittish, than a horse. Also my dairy cow had a calf, so he was free :-)
I thought so. They have become a hobby breed here in Texas. The cows are supposed to be good milkers I think.
What breed of cattle are they?
My husband and I have many questions. Can you suggest a good book for reference? We live in Denmark Europe and have a small holding. I have 2 steers in mind to train. One has a cleft lip we are keeping for a pet. The other chap is very attached to me and will let me handle him and even sit on his back plus comes to me when called. Thanks for your attention. Please give Will a bit of bread or carrot from us because he was such a good boy during filming.
There are a couple of good books, one is "The Pride and Joy of Working Cattle" by Ray Ludwig. Not sure if you can find it on Amazon, publisher is Pine Island Press, 69 Pine Island Lake, Westhampton, Mass. 01027. If that does not work let me know, I can probably find an address for contact with the author. Another one is "Oxen: A Teamsters Guide" by Drew Conroy. That will be on Amazon.
***** Also, check out the German working cattle group www.zugrinder.de/en/ You may be able to find folks closer to you that you can work with.
Thank you! Best wishes to you and yours. Kristian and Christine from Denmark
I'm nobody's fool ya know. That's a panda you have there, not an ox! (lol)
Is Will a specific breed of Ox, or is he mixed?
Will is a Dutch Belt
My gpa had one of these. It must've been his father's or grandfather's
is that a Lakenvelder oxen?
+09conrado Yes, we call them Dutch Belted.
why don't they use leather collars as with horses?
You will see that occasionally in historical pictures of oxen because horse collars were so common. But the inverted horse collar does not really suit the bovine anatomy well and the collar will exert pressure on the points of the ox shoulders. Neck yokes are much better suited and more comfortable for the animals.
@@TMHarrigan thanks. Will seems to have a lovely nature by the way.
I watching this because my zodiac sign is ox now i know what is the ox
kako je miran voo.
Oui, ca va.
+TMHarrigan
I remember reading Laura Ingalls Wilder's "Farmer Boy" as a kid. The chapter devoted to Almanzo's training of his young oxen was fascinating. I had long assumed it was a lost art.
You speak french?
Je parle un peu le francais. On travaille en Burkina Faso depuis deux ans. C'est un pays francophone.
Nice, it's good to hear that. Do you work with Zebu there?
Je suis du Québec. On a perdu ces techniques de traction animale ici.
"I would love to see a Yoke on him and make him drag that log." There is a human version of a single yoke that is designed for pulling ice shelters, sleds, and deer carts. yes, it can be used to pull small logs. The yoke harness is easy to use and quite comfortable.
I am a year off a ox
With that I would have harnessed the horse, but not ox.
Poor horse.
I'm a Christian author, may I use your pic in my book?
Jessica Linhart yes, that will be fine.
I came here to see yokes because of the bible lol!
Matthew 11:29King James Version (KJV) 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
the cow is considered to be the mother, coz we drink the milk she provides. an ox is considered to be the father, coz he works hard in the field. this is acepted by all the self-realised sages and saints....killing them is considered to be one of the greatest sins...
Buy a tractor and stop hurting the animals.
+alphasxsignal It doesn't hurt the animal. They enjoy working. If he didn't enjoy it, he wouldn't do it. Better to be a working animal than steaks and roasts because that's about the only other thing a steer is good for.
i hate liberal dickheads
So better he spend tens of thousands of dollars and burn diesel for hours every day rather than have a good working, respectful relationship with an animal bred to do the work whose waste products enrich the soil (and eventually the larder)? As if
bet he loves that ox more than your mom loves you.
How many years can a ox be yoked for.