Oxen: A Teamsters Guide

by Drew Conroy

Book Overview

Versatile as well as powerful, oxen can plow fields, haul stones, assist in logging, and improve roads. This comprehensive guide covers all aspects of selecting, training, feeding, and caring for your... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1893707083
• ISBN13: 9781893707085
• Release Date: January 1999
• Publisher: Rural Heritage
• Length: 354 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Oxen, A Teamster's Guide by Drew Conroy, PhD

The second edition of Oxen, A Teamster's Guide by Drew Conroy fulfilled my expectations for this informative and magical new edition of the classic American book on the care of oxen. My original edition is worn, torn, and marked due to loving usage. I expect soon this new edition will also have serious evidence of wear because the value of the book is in using it not merely reading it. That means sometimes it is in the field with me and the oxen and subject to the weather and whatever may happen when you take the oxen out for a stroll. I treasure this new book. The beautiful color photographs that illustrate this new edition make the subjects in the photos nearly jump off the page. I like best the insertion of stories about the lives of men who work oxen in America today. He calls these stories "On the Farm" they are like an oral history of the lore of oxen in America today. I noticed several men I have had the pleasure of speaking to myself, Howard van Ord from Pennsylvania and Tim Huppe from Berrybrook Ox Supply in New Hampshire. These stories help the reader understand the depth of feeling of the oxen teamster about his animals and his relationship to them. I am new to this business. I have driven oxen teams for only six years, so I value all the new information in Oxen, A Teamster's Guide more than most. This is almost an encyclopedia of knowledge on the subject of working cattle. Many of the drawings and black and white photographs from the first edition remain and that is good. I noticed many new drawings that help illustrate how to perform a particular function--the artist really captured the sense of what you have to do to make things work. I say bravo to the author for this wonderful instructional book. Every oxen man or woman will want to have his or her own copy of this impressive new edition. Every time I open the book I will offer a silent thank you to Drew Conroy and his family for making the effort to put into words some of his oxen wisdom. This book is a gift to the world. Philip Henderson, Head Oxen Teamster Orange County Centennial Farm in California

THE BOOK on oxen

This book is absolutely the most important reference on oxen. If you are contemplating buying a team, training a team, researching animal traction, or are just curious about oxen; this book will satisfy you. Particularly if you do not live in New England and have to train your team on your own you should not be without this book. Mr. Conroy distills the great New England ox tradition and explains how simple and satisfying owning and working a team can be. My one complaint is the glossing over of the use of oxen in farm work. Although that is understandable as most oxen are kept for fairs and parades even in New England.

Drew Conroy , Oxman and writer

I live in New England and have been involved with working cattle for thirty years. In this region we have a wealth of people knowledgeable in the art of training and working steers and oxen. What sets Drew apart from these teamsters is his talent and ability for putting into print what he has learned and expirienced. Drews twenty plus years of expiriences as a trainer and a teamster are compiled in a fashion that allows a novice teamster to read the book and successfully produce a team of working cattle. As a co-leader of a 4-H Working Steer club, I advise our members to purchase and read Drews book. It is the finest resource for answering 'oxen' questions available. I enjoy this book and refer to it often. I highly reccomend this book to anyone interested in working cattle. Great job Drew!

Oxen : A Teamsters Guide

Drew Conroy - the reigning leader in modern working cattle techniques has once again outdone himself. The total compilation of this laymens handbook is without a doubt unequalled. Speaking as a Draught animal teaching professional, with 20 years experience, I highly recommend that this information be taken by any novice, amateur or professional as gospel. Working draught animals and three continents of travel, collecting information for research I have never been able to find another source as definitively accurate in every minute detail. Additionally the terminology and technical detail is unsurpassable. "This book crosses the boundaries of class and education to bring to the international working animal scene a timeless source for information and instruction." If your are currently working cattle or planning on starting a carreer or hobby in the working cattle feild the best money you will ever spend will be on this book.