Why do we use voice commands like “sit” and “stay” to teach dogs? Because we are humans, and we like to communicate with words. So, we think our pets and livestock should learn our language. Some do, but they are never fluent. Theirs is the language.
How to send a message to an ox
Want to meet Topper and Stash? Sign up for a farm tour on Feb. 12 or 13 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. You can cuddle a cow, hug a bunny, brush a donkey, sit on a steer, scratch a pig, and more. An hour tour for up to six people is $50. Reserve at learningnetworksfoundation.com/book-now. Courtesy of Carole Soule
Published: 1/27/2021 9:30:09 AM
Last week I told you how my oxen team, Topper and Stash, almost tumbled down a steep slope while pulling a log out of the woods. As they stood at the edge of the ravine, it would not have been useful for me to get angry at them. They would have tried to move away from any display of excited emotion and likely have tumbled into the gorge.
Refresher course needed for ox team
This is the pin securing Stash’s bow that came out during a recent work session. Courtesy of Carole Soule
Carole with her 8-year-old Scottish Highlander oxen team. Stash is on the left and Topper is on the right. Courtesy of Carole Soule
Published: 1/20/2021 2:55:17 PM
Topper and Stash stood on the edge of a ravine, a 20-foot drop, with a log attached to their yoke. One more step and they’d go over the edge dragging the log with them. It would be a very messy tumble. I watched from behind, not sure what to do.
Useful lessons come from tough experiences
In 2021, why not resolve to shop locally? Like the Miles Smith Farm Store, most have online shopping to make ordering convenient. Buying local products keeps your dollars in the community and helps your neighbors. Courtesy of Carole Soule
Published: 1/2/2021 3:32:03 PM
It’s easy to know what I don’t want in 2021 – almost everything from 2020. It’s not hard to bash 2020 on the nose and say, “Good riddance!” The year was terrible for most of us, especially for those who died or lost loved ones. Some of us were lucky to survive an encounter with COVID-19 but might still suffer after-effects for years.
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?”