The drought here this past year is keeping hay prices out of sight. Many people are asking over double the price they got last year. Such high prices have forced us, and a lot of other people, to make tough choices. Livestock markets are seeing near record numbers of cattle coming in. Several of them were ours, including the steer Ann had been starting to train as a draft animal. Part of our long term goal has always included some type of draft animal. We thought that a oxen would be a good fit for us but these hay prices made us reconsider. Ann's pony, Sam ,had some of the basics down already when we got him. He is a quick study as you can see in the photo. Ann has been using him to haul in water and hay. We don't even have a bridle or bit for him and so Ann is driving him with just his halter on. He is learning his voice commands nicely. We are planning to make a little better harness using automobile seat belts for a lot of the straps. Since neither Ann or the pony have any driving experience, they are training each other ! A pony cart is on my project list along with the harness making.
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