A job for a lazy ox
Stash, an eight-year-old Scottish Highlander ox, prepares for his role as this year's Rudolph the Red-Nosed Rein-Steer while Highlander Curious Bleu hangs out behind. Make an appointment to get your picture with Rudolph on Dec. 23, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Miles Smith Farm at learningnetworksfoundation.com/book-now. Courtesy of Carole Soule
Published: 12/19/2020 8:31:32 PM
Working oxen is my special joy. My pair of 8-year-old Scottish Highlander oxen have accepted me as their leader. We work as a team hauling logs; they do the hard work, I give the commands. When given the command, “Walk on,” Topper and Stash lean into the yoke, walking step-for-step in unison to get the job done. And they have fun, too. Once in a while, when pulling a load, Topper will nudge me with his horns as if to say, “Can’t we go faster, lady?”