Unloading Ox from Stock Trailer at Night after Exploring "The Big Swamp"

The shake, rattle and roll of hooves on the stock trailer floor brings back memories of the excitement of hauling semi-loads of livestock during my bull-hauling days. More often than not the unloading was done in the dark.

The Historic Pembina Trail by Ox Cart

Some sections of the old Red River Ox Cart Trails still exist in northwestern Minnesota. This short video gives a taste of what the trail looks like as it follows the Lake Agassiz beach ridge. The ridge allows a spectacular view of the surrounding Red River Valley in as near native state as is available in Minnesota. The trail is not untouched, as it has been improved by a bulldozer sometime in the past years and there are a number of abandoned gravel pits scattered along the way. An occasional farmstead can be seen in the distance and there are a few tumble down barb wire fences. However, with even a little imagination it's easy to picture the seemingly endless grasslands of previous centuries. The croplands are distant enough that they blend into the grass and aspen landscape. Red River Ox Carts

Pembina Trail: Scout the Ox Bums a Drink

Ox and Dog on a Summer's Evening

Scout the Ox and Harry the Dog take a breather on a township road in northwestern Minnesota. Scout is pulling an antique stud cart that I purchased at Bill and Carl Larson's estate sale. The Larson Brothers were known for their work horses and the cart was used to to drive their stallion from farm to farm to provide stud services.

Transporting the Ox: Scout's First Ride in the Stock Trailer