pony of the americas
Jasper the POA earned his keep today. He pulled about 7 loads (a full cord) of locust out of the back pasture today, as well as some larger logs. We used my Christmas present from Brett, a Jasper-sized stone boat to haul the wood. The flat wooden sledges are called stone boats because they were used to haul stones out of fields in great piles. Today they moved some big rounds of a tree that was cut down to make room for the new horse pasture that will be built in June. The photos were all taken by Melina Smyres, that's her Robert working with Jasper.
posted by Jenna at 6:35 PM
32 Comments:
Merlin is fine and all but I think I'm partial to Jasper. I have to see if there are photos of Jasper on the photo website.
Never a dull moment around your place! Lots of work going on with good people and animals: nothing better, eh?
:)
Aw, I wish I could have stayed for that! Great photos Melina!
Melina, great pictures!
I agree with Lara - great pictures. Thanks Melina
With all the excitement about dramatic Merlin, I kinda forgot what a handsome fellow that Jasper is. Especially all decked out in his harness. You rock, J-Boy!
What an industrious pony! Is that wood going to heat your home now?
first time working in harness all spring, he was so good. We broke the harness though, needs some repairs. It isn't the best quality! But that is all firewood for next winter!
It is a pleasure to see working animals doing a job well, and he is a beauty! Have he and Merlin met each other yet?
Way to go, Jasper! Such a handsome boy.
Way to go, Jasper! Such a handsome boy.
You always have so much help. It must be nice. Phil and I seldom have help even from our family. Maybe we just don't ask enough but they don't offer either.
Jasper knew it he worked on his own behalf in order to have a new play pasture. He's a very smart pony.
That locust is top-notch firewood- one of the hardest. Posts made from locust have been known to last in the ground 60-70 years.
And you cut it at the perfect time of year for coppicing- late winter/early spring. Cutting it at this time of year should guarantee shoots growing from the stump, which is called the stool if you're really managing it as a coppice. Locust grows quickly; you have yourself a fine sustainable firewood source.
Looking at the pics, I think you meant a "face" cord, not a "full" cord. Still a respectable amount though.
Hey Jenna, ran accross this blog in my evening surfing and thought of you... http://highlandhooves.blogspot.com/
Jasper looked dashing all hitched up. Good for horses to work a bit, what they were designed for.
Too bad about the sheep shearing, I agree sometimes the pros are sure worth the money. Really only $8 to shear a sheep? Seems cheap to me. Thanks for sharing a fun weekend.
Good 'ole Jasper working so hard. I love him. I believe he likes his work. Good day for you, Jenna
I'm just wondering, but would a collar style harness be better for pulling than a driving harness? I have two Shetlands that I would like to start using for both, driving and pulling things around the homestead, but I'm not sure which would be better. It looks to me like Jasper has more of a driving harness. Could that be why it broke? Can you recommend any books that you liked about harness/driving/ponies? Just wondering...
Louis: we made A LOT of trips.
A collar harness would be better, but we don't have one yet. Using what I've got.
You get what you ask for! If you need help, you should ask for it. Host a work party potluck - I bet some friends and family would help!
If you can Jenna, keep the locust for fence posts. They will last well past your own life. They would be EXCELLENT corner posts for fences.
Julie! they were cut too short~! I wish they were longer!
Julie! they were cut too short~! I wish they were longer!
Louis, I think it was a half cord! I asked the Dughton's who were there, my mistake! they said a "little more probably than a half"
Still, not bad for rookies with a bargain basement amish reject pony.
excellent idea about coppicing - not enough of thatt is done on this side of the Atlantic.
BTW Jasper is a lovely strong worker with beautiful, brisk action - a treasure!
http://www.bartstreeservice.com/firewood/
Here's a link that gives measurements and a visual of a cord. If you're purchasing cords of wood and aren't sure the difference between a full and half cord, check it out. I know you probably purchase from a trustworthy source, but it doesn't hurt to have an eye for what youre paying for.
Jasper looks like he enjoyed the work. Rather than repair his harness would you consider replacing it with a more appropriate type for the work you're asking of him. Is he intended to drive as well? If jaspers willing to give his best, outfit him with suitable equipment.
Thanks!
And yes, he will get a proper collar and harness soon, needs it.
We have an ATV on our 4 acre, hilly property for moving wood and rocks, etc. Jenna, how I wish I could trade it in for a pony (it's on The List, for sure!). Not only is the dang thing noisy, but to perform such work in quiet, walking alongside a living breathing animal, working together to get the job done...how wonderful that must feel! Yay for you and Jasper!
Everybody gets so worked up as soon as someone mentions "a cord" of wood. The first thing you hear is make sure its 4 X 4 X 8. When there is really much more to it than dimensions. Is the wood dry, green, old, hardwood, softwood, a mix? How tightly is it stacked? Are there full rounds in the pile that leave a lot of air space.
One stack you might a little less, the next you may get a little more. You need to trust someone sometime, and if you can't trust the person - why are you doing business with them?
That last pic -- he is a beautiful roan pony! I'm pretty new to your blog and was hoping you'd share a pic or two of Jasper. Thank you!
Hey Jenna,
I have nominated you for a Versatile Blogger Award, because I appreciate all of the tremendous work you do:
http://lemonstree.wordpress.com/2012/04/19/doodle-awards-fantasmagol-bloggers/
You really have True Grit, and I love Jasper the super pony.
Post a Comment
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home