Inspiring new friends

Yesterday I had the pleasure of meeting Cailen Campbell and Chloe Lieberman from Asheville.  I introduced Fryer and yoked him up for a demonstration of his skills. My new friends took a ride on Fryer's fore cart and asked questions on his training because they too are planning on training steers to become oxen on their farm for draft animal power.
It was so inspiring for me to have the opportunity to speak to new folks about what I have been doing with Fryer on our farm here at Chapel Hill Creamery. I really need to do more. And having others keep me on my toes, makes me want to spend more time with Fryer and accomplish jobs on the farm that are perfect for a single ox.  Thank you Cailen and Chloe. I look forward to seeing and hearing all about your future oxen. I will keep in touch on workshops that will be coming up soon.

Seeding Oats for the fall

It had been a while since I yoked up Fryer due to the heat but we needed to seed Oats for the fall so we started early in the morning.

We spent three days having a nice time together.

Happy Birthday, Fryer

Today is Fryer's birthday. He has turned 7 years old. I wish it could be a cooler day for his special day but I guess I will need to give him a cool bath this evening.
I can't help but think of his twin brother, Breis. He died last Nov. 2015. I wish he was here so we can celebrate both of them.
This fall has a lot of activities scheduled for Fryer. I am looking forward to those more comfortable days.
Happy Birthday, my man.

I'm back

Hey Everybody. I think I have myself setup now to start blogging about my Ox, Fryer again. The Dairy (chapelhillcreamery.com) has been so busy that I haven't had much time to spend with Fryer. Not to mention how hot it is.
When I took Fryer to the Blue Ridge Institute back in June, that was the last time I got a good workout with him. Lately the Dairy and Mother nature has put him laying in the shade and chewing his cud. He doesn't mind at all.
But I have lots of plans to get busy with come fall. I want to work on a path this year that I can get Fryer acustume to so he doesn't have to walk on the roads that are full of sharp gravel. Our fence lines that keep our milk cows grazing have nice paths around the outside. I just need to clean them up of brush and high grasses and have him walk them for a nice Ox drive.
I look forward to hearing from you all, so please send me your ideas and thoughts as I get busy posting pictures and videos for Fryer's blog.

Fryer's Blog will be down for a while

Hi everybody. I wanted to let my followers know that I will not be blogging for a while due to having to cancel internet service. I also plan to purchase a new computer that is better and more reliable in the things I do.
I am hoping it will only be for a few months because I want to save up some money for the investment. So I am looking forward for starting back up in the spring.
When I come back, I want to, not only, blog about Fryer but include other teamster friends with their oxen. I have learned through Fryer and my ox, Breis who pasted 11-6-2015 that draft animal power is a real accomplishment with the teamster and the animal. To have a relationship with animals willing to work with you and you are able to except the successes along with the limitations to accomplish the work and play you desire is a exciting life filled experience.
I have some new ideas for me and Fryer this spring and we will be attending oxen events to also blog about. If I have blogging withdrawal ;-) I will be posting on Chapel Hill Creamery's facebook page.
Thank you for your interest and I will be back soon. Spring Fever is coming!

Allison

Fryer's Forcart

We have made such great progress with Fryer pulling his Forcart. Here are a couple of pics of Leonard and Darlene helping me train Fryer. He is already comfortable with Darlene practicing driving him.

Fryer in Forcart

Hello Everybody! Happy New Year!
I hope everyone is ready to start something new this year. I have a new toy for Fryer and myself. I think?
This is a forcart that I bought at the Troutman aution sale in NC.

I have spent quite a bit of time welding extensions to make the shafts longer and bending the shafts to work under Fryer's yoke. Other then that I have done some spray painting and sprucing up.

I have only walked him in it two times. He is very nervous and it is going to take many more times before I will be comfortable letting him walk without a halter.

I hope that if this forcart works for Fryer, I plan to hook attachments to the forcart to make his pulling a lot more comfortable.

The Britchen has been a saver. I can not believe I have worked this long without one. Even a team of oxen should be wearing britchens if you have heavy loads going down hills. I can see a huge difference in Fryer with the security of the strap around his rump. 

If anyone sees any issues with my setup, please let me know. The only piece that is missing from this picture is the hold back straps that connect to the shafts from Fryer's britchen. I have them in place now.

I will be taking videos for all to see when he becomes use to it. Right now both Fryer and myself need to focus on training. I will keep you updated.