Flexible Three Pad Collar for an Ox





Flexible Three Pad Collar for an Ox
from
Cow-harnessing in Germany, Steinmetz, 1936
World Association for Transport Animal Welfare and Studies (TAWS)

A key feature of the three pad collar is that  each side (hame) swings independent of the other, keeping it in constant contact with the for-and-aft movement of the ox's shoulders. (A work horse's non-flexible collar rests on the horse's breast which remains stationary during locomotion.)

For a more detailed description click on Harnessing and Yoking - German Harnesses for Oxen by Jörg Bremond World  Association for Transport Animal Welfare and Studies (TAWS) website.

Padded Ox Collar, Ox, and Hay Cart: Murray Bay, QC, Canada




Ox cart, Murray Bay, QC, 1896-1900
Wm. Notman and Son
© McCord Museum

  


Detail from
Ox cart, Murray Bay, QC, 1896-1900
© McCord Museum

 

Padded Ox Collar, Ox, and Cart: Quebec City, Canada c.1890




Ox cart, St. Jean Deschaillons, QC, about 1890
Gift of Mr. Stanley G. Triggs
© McCord Museum

    

Detail from
Ox cart, St. Jean Deschaillons, QC, about 1890
Gift of Mr. Stanley G. Triggs
© McCord Museum



Single Ox Training: Gee and Haw

This is a question from YouTube comments on my video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1YJ_7jufYA. (Getup and Whoa with long reigns on a standard halter.)

Q.

This is great! I have a Jersey/Swiss bull that I want to do this with. Just wondering, how do you train him to Haw and Gee?

Stainesa1


A.
Greetings Stainesa1 ---


I find that Scout the Ox is more responsive to physical cues (touches and tugs) than he is to verbal commands. This makes sense as cattle are largely non-verbal creatures except when stressed or hungry.

With reins attached to a standard cattle halter I am able to direct him to right or left. (Bits or nose rings are unnecessary and not recommended.) When I see he is about to respond correctly I add the verbal gee or haw so that he will begin to make the association. You can see this in practice on this video where he is responding readily to corrections made with small tugs on the reins: http://storybrookeripples.blogspot.com/2010/08/ox-training-long-reins-and-verbal.html

My training got put to the test about a month ago. I was riding in the ox cart (converted garden cart.) I slid way to the back to take a picture and the cart reared up. Scout spooked and started running. The tipped-back cart was fishtailing wildly and I was hanging on with one hand, while trying to protect my camera with the other. Things were well out of control when I decided to yell "WHOA!" Scout stopped immediately for which I was well pleased.

Training one ox hardly makes me an authority on the subject, but I am of the impression that single oxen present a few challenges that teams are less prone to. Single oxen are more free to follow their own whims than they might be if they were yoked to a team mate. However, there is ample evidence in the historical record to suggest that single oxen were trained to be reliable enough to pull passengers in carts.

Single ox pulling ladies in ox cart near Newport News, Virginia, USA (estimated c1900-1920).

These prim ladies keep their white petticoats high above the muddy road near Newport News, Virginia. Their mighty ox appears to be completely under the control of the driver who holds the reins in her hands.

(Note the bed of this cart has been leveled. I've noticed ox carts often were tipped back. I wonder if it was because they were built to fit a younger animal who often out-grew expectations.)

Women and boy in ox cart pulled by single ox -- c1910, southern USA. 
Single ox yoke, reins.

This woman and her son appear equally at ease with their sleek ox pulling a tidy oxcart on the road of a southern USA town.

Older man in rickety wagon pulled by a single ox in a southern USA town c1910
Single ox yoke with dropped hitch points.

Being seated on kitchen chairs in this rickety old wagon would suggest that this older gentleman has a great deal of faith in the reliability of his single ox.

This single ox yoke is a nice example of a yoke with dropped hitch points. The dropped hitch points pull the yoke down into the shoulder --- a straight yoke, as in the first picture, tends to roll back.

One Very Large Steer!

Wouldn't it be fun to train this "big ox" of a steer for riding, or for pulling a giant ox cart! See photos and read about him at:

Mail Online/News  UK.
(click)

So Precious! Oxen Team and Young Girl



Oxen and Girl

Photo from JimElong's photobucket album titled: Rendezvous

Grandkids Wild Ox-Cart Ride

Traveling 1st Class in Northwestern Minnesota (via Ox Cart)

Single Ayrshire Ox Pulling Ox Cart with Wooden Ox Yoke

With all the tempting vegetation in the roadside ditches covered with snow,  it is a good time to get Scout the Ox used to the idea of me riding in the ox cart. In the summer he quickly learned that as soon as I got on the cart he could head to the ditch and grab a few mouthfuls of grass.....the little stinker!

Single Ayrshire Ox Pulling Ox Cart with Wooden Ox Yoke - Minnesota Winter

At -15 degrees F. (-26 degrees C.) Scout the ox grew a white beard and I an icy white moustache. On January 22 the sun sets about 6:30 PM CST,  but dusk lasts quite a while longer. 

Single Ayrshire Ox with Horns and Yoke - Exhaust

It was a beautiful, silent evening with stars beginning to show in the sky. The 5mph wind dropped off to near zero and the steam rising from Scout the Ox's breath  reminded me of the exhaust from an idling internal combustion engine. Getting the pictures and video without frost-bitten fingers was tricky though.

See in video format  --- 29 seconds.

Snapshots; Haul'n Wood with an Ox

Hauling Firewood with an Ox

Turning the Ox Yoke

20/20 Hindsight

1. When walking backwards make sure you have a clear path so you don't stumble.
2. Avoid hitching to anything so high that the chains can pass easily over the ox's back.
3. Hitch oriented in the direction you want to pull so the ox doesn't need to step sideways to get lined up

It is also possible for a team of oxen to turn their yoke. If they both turn 180 degrees, but in opposite directions, the yoke has to flip. Said another way, if they swing their tails apart until their tails meet again, the yoke will be forced to turn.

Single or team, turning the yoke is obviously to be avoided; it could result in bruising the oxen's neck or throat.

Civil War Era Currycomb

A Currycomb Patented by Sarah Jane Wheeler, 1861

"Included in the New Britain Industrial Museum collection is a curry comb recovered from a Union army supply barge, the General Meade, which exploded and sank at City Point , Virginia on the James River . The comb was patented in 1861 by Sarah Jane Wheeler, who was the first woman in  New Britain  to receive a United States patent."

quoted from

Connecticut Explored

Currying Favor with the Ox

Snow, ice, mud or manure in the coat of the ox robs the fur of its insulating value.  The currycomb is the ideal tool to keep the ox's coat clean and dry. While many a feedlot steer may survive without ever being touched by a currycomb, its frequent application certainly adds to the creature's comfort.



Grooming the Ox with a Currycomb

 As an added bonus currying replicates the grooming behavior seen amongst members of a herd of cattle. The use of the currycomb can be a bonding tool between teamsters and their oxen. If you've ever been licked by an ox you know the roughness of an ox's tongue has much the same feel as a currycomb.

Why Is It Called a Currycomb?



Currycomb

One of my earliest memories of livestock was watching our landlords daughter, Roxy,  putting neat squiggles on the side of her wet Hereford, 4-H steer, using a round, metal currycomb with a red handle. Recently while using the same style currycomb with the same red handle I have wondered “why is it is called a currycomb?”

This is what I found. From the late 13th century Anglo-French word curreier comes the English word curry, meaning, to rub down a horse. The Oxford English Dictionary quotes a phrase from 1398 as “coryed wyth an horse combe.” So, logically, a comb used to curry a horse might come to be called a curry-comb.

 

"Der behexte Stallknecht"
("The Bewitched Stable Boy")
Hans Baldung Grien (1544)
German Renaissance woodcut
This unfortunate stable boy has dropped his 16th-century currycomb on the stable floor.



An interesting side-note is that the phrase “to curry favor” rose from a satirical 14th century French poem Roman de Fauvel. In the poem Fauvel, a horse, moves from the barn into the largest room in the house. He represents sin and corruption; Fauvel’s name  is an acronym (in French) for the seven deadly sins. In the story the occupants of the house, who metaphorically represented church and state leaders, not only allowed Fauvel to dwell in the house, they even lowered themselves to curry and clean his coat.

Hence, the common expression "to curry favor" is believed to be a mistaken English adaptation of the French phrase to curreier Fauvel. In the English language, to curry favor has come to mean seeking favor by fawning or flattery.



Roman de Fauvel
Musical satire from early 14th century France.

 

Did you know?


On October 22, 2009 Hu Jintao, President of the People’s Republic of China, gave U.S. President Barack Obama a porcelain sculpture of five oxen that has been valued at $1200.00.

From the Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 11/ Tuesday, January 18, 2011

President Hu Jintao and President Obama

Watering the Ox: How Much Water Will a Yearling Steer Drink?

My online blogger friend Chuck (for whom oxen hold spiritual significance,) signs off on his weekly blog-cast Friday Night Oxen with "Have a nice weekend, in service to the Oxen."

I sometimes think of that and smile when carrying water, feeding hay, or forking manure in the wee hours of the morning --- or late at night. Keeping an ox is not entirely a practical matter. But it sure is fun! Especially when the temperature dips below zero to -35 degrees Fahrenheit, and the wind is blowing. (Tongue frozen in cheek.)  Just think, I might be at the health club laboring away on a treadmill and getting nowhere --- while inhaling the smell of somebody's sweaty socks.

Minnesota Winter: An Ox in a Snowstorm



Scout the Ox, an Ayrshire Steer with Horns
Minnesota Winter Snowstorm

"If I might say...."

Scout the Ox, an Ayrshire Steer with Horns
Minnesota Winter Snowstorm

..  "....it's a bit blustery."

Leading the Single Ox

Leading the Single Ox: Advantages and Disadvantages

The single ox is more prone to go astray due to distraction than a team of oxen. Leading the ox all but eliminates the straying problem. Leading also eliminates a lot of guess work for the ox. By being led he understands exactly what it is you want him to do.

Not being in the enviable position to work together daily, leading also makes up for the lack of daily reinforcement of the Gee and Haw commands.

One day I was leading Scout the Ox and we were crossing a ditch at the top of which the snow was very deep. I was getting stuck in the deep snow and unable to go any further when to my surprise he got his horns under me and boosted me up onto solid ground. Now that's teamwork!

One downside to leading is an occasional horn in the back. I'm planning to make a longer lead stick for the times when leading seems the best option, and I will also continue to drive him from the side or behind when working on the road or in open country.

Ox Checks Out Camera

Curious as a cow, Scout the Ox investigates the stationary camera. In hindsight, the results were predictable.

Making Firewood With an OX and a Dog: Day 2

Scout the Ox started easily on this cold and windy day. No block-heaters or jumper cables to deal with. We got out several small loads of firewood. I have switched from the wagon to a sled, and have replaced the lead rope with the broomstick.

Haltering and Hitching the Ox: A Two Act Play

I set everything up for an unflawed demonstration of haltering and hitching the ox to a sled, but everything didn't exactly go as planned! To start with Harry the Dog stole Scout the Ox's collar --- and wouldn't give it back--- Scout the Ox took over from there. It all turned out to be a bit of a yoke. 

PitambarTheRedBull commented on YouTube

Loved it! Made me smile!

 

http://www.enasco.com/product/C02446N

I have no association with eNasco nor do I endorse this particular halter. I have done business with this company and have been a satisfied customer

This type of rope and sliding chain cattle halter has been an excellent training tool. It offers some control by tightening around the nose when the ox-in-training resists. Once the animal complies, a gentle shake of the rope relieves the tension as a reward for correct behavior. Rough or indiscriminate use would constitute aversive behavior training, or even cruelty, and is to be avoided.

As Scout the Ox's training progresses I use this halter less and less. In a work situation I prefer a standard nylon web halter. The ox should be controlled primarily with the gentle guidance of the whip or goad --- not by tugging on the halter. Playing tug-of-war with an ox sets you up for failure.

With teams of oxen the halter should be removed as soon as reasonable control makes that possible. With the single oxen, in complicated working situations, the halter may continue to be a desirable tool for communication and to help him overcome distractions. Some teamsters would maintain, however, that the ultimate goal should be to eliminate the use of any halter.

The yoke pictured in the video is highlighted in this previous post.

The broomstick used in place of a lead rope is highlighted in this previous post. It has been a valuable training aid, and when it's unsnapped from the ox it doubles as a goad.

Scout the Ox: Can You Come Out and Play Now?

 

Scout the Ox managed to pop the latch on the pasture gate. He didn't wander away, but rather, came to our front door to see what was happening. He voiced his arrival, and I have little doubt but that he would have come right in if the door had been open.

Here's a video of a Pitambar the Red Bull who lives on a distant tropical island.  He is being trained as an ox. In this clip he is allowed a visit in the house --- but don't tell the the lady's husband! 

 Pitambar the Red Bull in the House.

Ox on a Stick: Whoa. Get-up.

At just over a year Scout the Ox is doing well with Get-up and Whoa. But take a look (video below) at this team of three-year old Highland oxen!




The trainer of this beautiful team of oxen is doing an excellent job. He projects what dog trainer Cesar Millan calls calm-assertive energy.

More about this breed: American Highland Cattle Association
Comprehensive information on all cattle breeds: Oklahoma State University
Oxen commands demonstrated: Get-up, whoa, back, gee (right), haw (left), and head-up.

This video is from AnythingOxen's YouTube Channel

There is only one video posted there now, but we hope to see more.

Winter Vignette: A Man an Ox and a Dog

Crossing a snowy meadow with a dog, and an ox pulling a sled.

Winter Vignette: Ox-Breath at Sunset

Ox-breath, one of the wonderful touches of Winter!

An Outing on a Winter Evening Pays Big Dividends for the Dog

 

Harry the Dog discovers a frozen deer hide left behind by deer-hunters. 

Scout the Ox smells something of interest on the wind.

The deer hide was heavy and we had a long way to go. After several tries Harry the dog allowed me to put it in the sled and Scout the Ox pulled it the rest of the way home.

 

For the next several days Harry may have been the happiest dog on earth --- carrying this thing around and chewing it to bits!

(No this won't cause a dog to chase deer. It's the excitement of  "the chase" that causes that. Our sheep guardian dogs regularly ate dead sheep without it causing them to kill sheep.)

Ox and Dog on Ice, as Told by Scout the Ox

Sometimes life dishes out a chilling experience --- even when you are an ox.

Young Jersey Oxen At Work in the Woods

This team of young Jersey oxen are doing a remarkable job skidding firewood logs in the woods.

http://www.youtube.com/user/millerre3usa

Scout the Ox shows a lot more independence when working than these two young ones do.  I've settled on leading him when we are working in close quarters.

Because a single ox is not yoked to a team-mate, he has an easier time following his own whims.

Making Firewood With an OX and a Dog: Day 1

Scout the Ox's first day hauling firewood from the "woods'' in the snow.

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells --- With a One Ox Open Sleigh

Scout the Ox breaks trail through fresh snow pulling the humble-tumble-bug

--- for a sleigh.

The Ox's Dog Steals the Whip

Harry the Dog's allegiance is more to Scout the Ox than it is to me.

That seemed more evident than ever as he pranced before me with my whip firmly grasped in his powerful jaws.

Scout the Ox had been refusing to respond to the get-up command.

 A perhaps too sharp lash to his rump got his attention and he then wasted no time moving things forward. At that moment Harry the Dog surprised me from behind when he leapt up and grabbed the whip from my hand.

The dog trotted ahead of Scout the Ox, and me,
keeping the whip well out of my reach. 

I've been experimenting with using treats in Scout's training,  and I was becoming increasingly frustrated with him. The treats seem to encourage the attitude that he's working for wages --- and he expects frequent payments! If he thinks it's time for a payment he refuses to go any farther until a treat is proffered; this is when I used the whip. I don't want to be stuck half-way from a destination and then become stranded, because I ran out of treats. A treat or none --- he's got to move forward.

Now, about the whip; it looks like a fishing pole because that is what it is. I cut off the reel portion and removed the eyelet on the working end. Over this I slipped a small rubber hose to protect every one's eyes. It works well for guiding the ox and is much less tempting to an adolescent dog than a leather whip would be; he'd have that chopped up in little pieces in a manner of minutes.

I believe a whip should only be used for getting an ox's attention, and for guiding him; it should not be used for "giving a whipping" as that would only serve to confuse the ox and make him fearful. Christopher Ostby demonstrates the proper use of the whip in these two videos. 

An Ox Brings Home The Body of His Master

A Faithful Ox

Photo: Decan Herald, Chamarajanagar, December 23, 2010 DHNS

On Wednesday an ox brought home the body of its master who had collapsed in the ox cart from an apparent heart attack. This was a journey of some distance through city streets.

 Read this touching story in the Deccan Herald, Bangalore, India

Don't Knock the Ox

The International Ox Pull, highlight of the Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, annual fair, is a holdover from the pioneer past when oxen cleared the land and tilled the soil. These beasts of burden have lost none of their pulling power, as demonstrated when they drag tons of weight loaded on sleds (the winner pulls up to 6 tons!). Competing teams come from various parts of the Maritimes and the Northeastern United States.  National Film Board of Canada

 You won't be disappointed! Shoeing oxen, making yokes and cowbells, shaping ox horns, farming with oxen, and the competitive ox pulling tradition of Nova Scotia --- circa 1970. Such a bunch of characters crowded into just 13 minutes and 6 seconds is quite amazing. Includes some impressive teams --- Herefords, Hereford crossbreds, Ayrshires and others.

I Think I Saw a Reindeer

Xavia, a Hereford Heifer is being Prepared for Training as a Riding Cow
Photo used with permission of Samthesteerrider; Copyright Law applies.

This is a screen capture from a video just posted by Samantha, known better on her YouTube channel as Samthesteerrider and on the Riding Steers Forum as sam-e jo. You can watch her fun Christmas video here: Marry Christmas from Huckle Bery Hobby Farm :).  Samantha previously had a riding steer named Ferdy.

Horned Hereford cattle have long been favored in Nova Scotia for use as oxen. (Nova Scotians typically use head-yokes which require sturdy horns.) The breed originated in England. They are thought of in this country as a beef breed with most now being bred as polled animals (without horns). For oxen they are a popular breed to cross with the dairy breeds of Ayrshire, Holstein, or Shorthorn; these crosses carry the best draft animal characteristics of both breeds. Learn more about Herefords and other cattle breeds at this excellent web site: Oklahoma State University

Sleek Single Hereford Ox Pulling Oxcart in Nova Scotia c.1910

postcard

Making Ox Shoes and Shoeing the Ox

Making Nails and Ox Shoes in Sweden, 1923

Spik- och oxskosmide 1923

Se hantverksmässig framställning av spik i smedja i Lerbäcks socken och av oxskor i Karintorps by utanför Askersund.

This is a phenomenal video filmed in 1923 in a small hamlet near Askersund, Sweden. It shows two highly skilled blacksmiths working in tandem to manufacture nails and ox shoes on a small scale.

Shoeing an Ox in Seattle, 1906

The most common method of shoeing an ox makes use of a heavy restraint called a shoeing stock. Shoeing stocks vary in size depending on the size of the oxen to be shod. Shoeing stocks usually have belly bands to support the ox while he is being shod, and provide a method to hold each foot up individually, one at a time, to be worked on. Shoes are required for oxen who wear their feet down too fast in the rigors of their work. Shoes are also used to provide extra traction on snow and ice or for pulling extremely heavy loads.

Oxen who are not worked heavily may never need to be shod.