2024 Draft Animal Power Field Days Schedule!

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 27TH - Intensive workshops

On Friday, we will offer day long intensive workshops on Forestry, Farming, Mowers, Draft Horse Basics & Beginning Teamster Training, and Oxen Basics & Beginning Teamster Training. Check in for these intensive workshops at The Tent opens at 7am and the workshops begin at 8:00AM until 4:45PM with a lunch break. You can find out more about these workshops and register for them by clicking here, and take a look at the schedule here

OXEN BASICS & BEGINNING TEAMSTER TRAINING (hands-on)
Ray Ramsey, Coordinator
Instructors: Ariana Auger, Ben Klopchin, Ivy Pagliari, Ray Ramsey

Join a group of ox teamsters in a one day open forum, using hands on training experiences to further your knowledge in the oxen world. The morning will start with discussions on breed selections, housing, feeding, and basic training. Following with practical hands on yoking, yoke fit, and driving a team. We will dive into voice commands, body position, and stick placement. You will also be exposed to working with a single ox, equipment for both single and with a pair, and long term care such as veterinarian and hoof maintenance. We will wrap up the day with instruction on making your own yokes as your team grows. This all-day intensive workshop is open to individuals of all ages who seek a practical approach to working with oxen in both farm and forest settings.

DRAFT HORSE BASICS & BEGINNING TEAMSTER TRAINING (hands-on)
Sara Dougherty, Coordinator
Instructors: Austin Mantz, Jacob Sherlock, Tamara Healy, Ted Russell, Sara Dougherty

This all-day intensive is open to beginners, who are interested in learning about and practicing the basic care, training, and driving techniques needed when working with draft horses. Spend the morning learning about grooming, harnessing, and driving techniques, followed by a fun exercise in ground-driving a single draft horse vs. a team of them. After lunch, participants will return to the intensive to review various driving implements, like farm carts and drags, and safety techniques to use when hitching horses to them. Participants can expect to end the day with trying their hands at driving a single draft horse or team, while hitched to an implement. This intensive is designed for young and old folks alike. The hope is every participant will have an opportunity to get hands-on with the horses and that we will be answering lots of questions throughout the day. Teaching Teamsters will be revealed in the coming months, leading up to the 2024 Draft Animal-Power Field Days, so keep your eyes open for those announcements!

MOWER INTENSIVE (observation and hands-on)
Donn Hewes, Coordinator and Instructor

Horse drawn mowers are great machines that can cut a lot of hay, but they can be a bummer when they plug, or break, or don’t work right.  We will be re-assembling a rebuilt McCormick Deering #7.  As we go we will discuss and demonstrate all the common repairs, maintenance and tuning that go into making this machine work as it should. With the gear box open and pitman shaft removed we will discuss the common oil leaks and their repairs.  Working as a group we will reassemble the mower while creating the timing and lead needed for best operation.  Finally, we will use a combination of new parts and proper adjustment to make the friction free knife that horse drawn mowers love. By the end of the day we will field test the finished machine ready for a raffle.  We will cover safely hooking to and use of a mower for beginning teamsters and horses that haven’t mowed before. This is a hands-on workshop, so bring gloves and clothes that can get a little grease on them! 

FORESTRY INTENSIVE (observation)
Emily Brown & Tom Jenkins, Coordinators
Instructors: Anna Knapp-Peck, Brandt Ainsworth, Daphné Rose Courtès, Ian Snider, Jim Gordon, Julia Ramsey, Patrick Dolan, Rich Dumond, Tom Jenkins

Looking to learn more about draft powered logging? Draft powered forestry is a rewarding and fulfilling career path for many teamsters, while also adding value to your woodlot. Whether you're looking to diversify your farm/woodlot or start your own draft powered forestry business there is something for you. Here you will learn and witness from professional loggers and foresters first hand what makes them tick. In the morning we will head to the woodlot where teamster presenters will showcase some of the equipment and techniques used in their daily work in the woods. They will also discuss the benefits of silvicultural prescriptions like timber stand improvements, while also demonstrating the importance of safety in the woods.In the afternoon, there will be time for presenters to talk and answer questions about the basis of their business. This workshop is designed for participants to learn about the techniques used by professionals while proactively working towards a healthy woodlot with the use of draft power.  Participants will also learn the inner workings of running a draft powered forestry business. The teamster presenters will be working with their own horses and oxen.

FARMING INTENSIVE (hands-on)
Michael Glos & Bill West, Coordinators
Instructors: Russ Hausmann, Tianna Kennedy, Michael Glos, Bill West

This all-day intensive is open to beginners who are looking to learn more about how draft animals can be used in farming operations. Draft animal farming equipment will be reviewed, there will be a discussion around training techniques and safety when hitching, with a focus on primary tillage to follow. Sign up and try your hands at some sod-busting and enjoy watching mowers in use, and we’ll plan to wrap up the day with a discussion around the variety of applications for straddle-row cultivators, including a side dresser. More details on instructors will be available soon, so keep your eyes open for the announcement of those names!

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 28th - Demonstrations & presentations

We have a lot going on Saturday!  Be sure to check out our full schedule below to see everything that will be happening.

You can find out more about these workshops and register for them by clicking here, and take a look at the schedule here 

Farming

Ongoing Demonstrations: Join us in the field for equipment demonstrations and discussions. The morning will focus on primary and secondary tillage with horses and oxen. After lunch we will switch gears to planting, cultivating, and haymaking if the weather cooperates.

Forestry

Ongoing Demonstrations: In the woods, loggers will be felling trees and skidding logs with teams of horses and oxen. This work, as well as log grading, will continue in the afternoon. 

Field Chainsaw Maintenance with Rich Dumond – Rich, a professional horse logger, will demonstrate his go-to maintenance tips for keeping his saws running well for long days in the woods. 

Tree Felling Techniques and Safety with Rich Dumond – Another great workshop from a pro, not to be missed if you are serious about logging or just want to be confident and safe in your own woodlot. 

Moving Timber with Jim Gordon – This workshop will focus on the mechanics of moving timber from where it fell to where it’s going, with draft animals. A great workshop if you understand the concept of just dragging a log behind a horse but haven’t seen the other technology available, from log arches to scoots and more. 

Exploring Different Business Models: Logger Roundtable – This roundtable is for you if you want to talk shop with DAPNet wood cutters. From one-person, one-horse operations to mixed-power multi-team businesses, there are lots of models out there to think about. What kind of log job is best suited for draft power? What kind of equipment is critical? How do you market this kind of logging business to potential clients? 

Chainsaw Maintenance 101 with John Smolinsky – John Smolinsky has owned and operated chainsaws professionally for over a decade. For two years John ran the service bench at a chainsaw-exclusive repair shop. Along the way he has become knowledgeable about how saws wear out, what needs to be taken care of and not. How to keep them operating at top capacity honestly doesn't take a lot of time. In this barn session, John will walk you through basic saw/bar maintenance, basic sharpening techniques, what to look for when buying a used saw and more.

Training

Expanding your Training Toolkit with Positive Reinforcement – Hazel was a surprise foal two years ago on a farm where Maggie Smith is working horses.  She has taken on Hazel as her first chance to create her own work partner from the beginning. Maggie is influenced by the writing of Karen Pryor and Temple Grandin, among others. She will demonstrate the steps she’s taken with Hazel up to now, work on something they have in progress, and introduce a brand new skill. 

What Every Horse Needs To Know –  Margaret Beeman has been training horses and horse owners for 45 years and in this session she will demonstrate the “four things” every horse should learn before they go to work. This includes the 4 basic characteristics of the horse, the 4 Herd Rules, the 4 basic skills every horse needs, and then actual facts about the horse.

Training a 2 Year Old - Coretta is a two year old Suffolk filly that some of you will remember from the Field Days last year.  This bright young horse now belongs to Neal Southway of Spring House Creamery in NJ.  Neal will show us how she has grown in the last year and how he has been preparing her for driving and work.  

Liberty Training - A farrier and horse trainer, John will be demonstrating liberty work he has been doing with his horses.  He also has some tricks to share and will talk about why these skills would be useful to the horse and owner.

General/Education

Grooming and Harnessing for All Ages – Join Erika Marczak for an introductory workshop for those with zero to novice horse skills. We will discuss basic safety around horses, grooming as part of animal health and relationship building, harnessing for greatest animal and human comfort and safety, and other topics as they arise. This is a hands-on workshop with small draft horses, questions are encouraged at any time.

Equine Anatomy and Bodyworks - Join equine bodyworker Saxon Alexandra (they/them) for a series of interactive and informative anatomy-centered activities. Feel more confident evaluating equine movement, spend hands-on time with a real equine skeleton and explore some common bone pathologies, and dive deep into models of soft tissue structure. 

Horse Brass Hour – Stop by and check out Karma Glos’s Harness Decoration Display discussing the past, present, and future use of horse brasses. I will have examples of antique hanging brasses, hame plates, swingers, rosettes, and other decorations. I will be available to talk about brasses, answer questions, and introduce folks to the National Horse Brass Society and the wealth of history and information available through membership.

Intro to Hoof Trimming at Home with Marielle Ingram – A crash course in finding balance markers and keeping hooves in balance. Tips, tricks and intro to tools needed with a Q&A available. Marielle’s touchstones for the workshop are:  

• Hoof 911 - identifying signs of discomfort, founder, laminitis, white line disease, thrush, canker, and how to address it at home or when to call the vet. 

• Hoof Wear Patterns - looking at different feet, wall distortions, toe-in/toe-out patterns, jammed quarters, sheared heels, crushed heels, collapsed heels, white line separation, and mediolateral imbalances and their causes. 

• Hoof Anatomy - structures inside the hoof and how they work. 

• Hands-on Trimming - grab a rasp, nippers, hoof knives and a pair of chaps and see the POV of a hoof care provider. If you're feeling extra froggy, get underneath a draft and practice safe stances to care for hooves. 

Blacksmithing with Matthew Schofield – Historical blacksmithing for modern draft animal farming and forestry. Learn how simple forging techniques can allow farmers and loggers to create some of their own equipment. We’ll discuss forging horseshoes and nail making to fabricating parts for sleds and yokes.

Draft Dog Training – Come have a doggone good time learning about draft dogs with Bill Sherman and Sara Dougherty! Bill and Sara will be providing a hands-on workshop that introduces folks to all aspects of owning and training draft dogs. Swing on through to meet Maggie and Winnie, their two Bernese Mountain Dogs, and try your hand at carting with them!

3 Pad Collar Ox Harness – The bow yoke is traditional in the U.S., but Anna Knapp-Peck will demonstrate and discuss harnessing oxen with the 3-pad collar developed in Germany. She will show the use of the harness on various pieces of equipment and discuss measuring to order a harness, as well as fitting the harness to your animals.

Bandsaw Milling – Join “Woodmizer Wizards” Ian Snider and Jim Gordon to learn how to use and maintain a portable sawmill. Both have extensive experience logging and milling.

Equine Hoof Care Roundtable– Hoof care professionals John Fahey, Marielle Ingram, and Rich Dumond will share their experience and answer questions about shoeing, barefoot trimming, nutrition, sources of lameness, and more.

Homesteading/Youth Friendly

Simple Homemade Tools and Equipment for the Homestead with Ray Ramsey, Dave Gibaldi and Ben Klopchin – Learn the basic tools and equipment to find if you want to get started with animal-power on your homestead. See some homemade stoneboats, wagons and carts in action – and help dust off some of the museum’s artifacts as we put them to use!

Using Smaller Animals on the Homestead – Full-sized horses and oxen are great, but not everyone has the space! There are many smaller options, such as small oxen and work horse breeds, mini horses and ponies, dogs, goats, donkeys, and more. See some small drafts in action. With Russ Hausmann, Dave Gibaldi and Ray Ramsey. 

Homestead/Farm Chores – Join Ben Klopchin, Bill Sherman, Ray Ramsey and Dave Gibaldi for gathering sap (not actual sap in the fall of course), collecting firewood, manure handling, moving hay, etc. Experience the daily, weekly, and seasonal chores that mark the passage of time for those living off the land with their animals. Ongoing throughout the afternoon.

Sunday September 29th - “Sunday Funday”

Sunday at DAPFD is the day for playing games, experimenting with fun hitches, solidifying connections, and getting business done. It starts with a delicious volunteer-made Teamster Breakfast (free with donations welcomed), continues with various fun and interactive programs, and culminates with our Annual Member Meeting and the classic group photo. 

You can find out more about these workshops and register for them by clicking here, and take a look at the schedule here

This year’s Teamster Breakfast is being organized by Maggie Smith and Liz Brown and will feature lots of tasty wood-fired baked goods from Wide Awake Bakery in Trumansburg, NY (made with local and organic grains!)

Here’s a preview of our “Sunday Funday” programs at 2024 DAPFD!

• DAPNet Repair Cafe - a collaborative and supportive fix-it meetup! Do you have a small repair project that’s been kicking around your barn that you haven’t had the time or tools to deal with? Snap a piece of harness and don’t know if it can ever be used again? Or are you a tinkering wiz and interested in helping others learn to repair their stuff? Join us on Sunday morning and bring you leather to clean, unique tools to share, or puzzles to solve. Tap into the DAPNet hive mind and learn something new.

• Obstacle Course - Teamsters will try their hands at navigating a series of challenges that will test communication and control of their animals.

• Harnesses and Hitches - Demonstrations of different types of harness for different animals and situations, as well as interesting and unusual hitches.

• Guess the Weight - Using the Orange County Farmers Museum’s own scales. How close can you get to guessing an animal’s weight? A team’s weight? A wagon? 

• Horse-Powered Felting - scratch your creative itch and practice problem-solving with DAPNet’s crafty teamsters with this age-inclusive community project. 

• Tug Of War - a true test of horsepower, humans vs. draft animals. Get on the rope or cheer on your friends, this event is not to be missed.