Homestead mailing list

[Gene GeRue <genegerue AT ruralize.com>]

On Apr 12, 2008, at 6:47 PM, Clansgian AT wmconnect.com wrote:

>  We could park the truck now as far
> as horse and equipment go.  But taking the rig on the highway out of  
> here (US
> 421) would be suicide.  Cars and trucks tear along it at riduculous  
> speeds
> with no heed at what might be around the next bend or over the next  
> rise.

During the last forty miles or so on up to Springfield, Missouri from  
Heartwood along Highway 60 there are many Amish farms. It is common to  
see their horse buggies rolling along the edge of the highway. The  
highway department has even widened the shoulder area to accommodate  
them.

When the grandsons were visiting two years ago we were returning from  
a day at Branson. Suddenly the traffic stopped. A few cars ahead and  
off to the side I could see the demolished wagon. A horse was standing  
there, favoring one leg. Men were huddled in a small group, apparently  
making a decision. I had mixed feelings having the grandsons watching  
as a man walked over to the horse and shot it.

Checking the news the next day I learned that an elderly woman had  
dozed off while driving and her car swerved and hit the wagon. The  
article stated that the driver of the wagon was in critical condition.

All of this is to say that I am very empathetic to those who seek to  
diminish motor vehicle use, but would urge all--as James has done  
above--to seriously consider the very real danger of driving horses  
along a highway. A wagon offers zero protection from a one-to-three- 
ton car or truck moving at legal speeds and above, the drivers in  
various conditions of skill and wakefulness.