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[Bunjov AT aol.com]

James, you are a constant source of amazement. 
 
"Bloviate"? I had to look it up. Shame on you, on the one hand for talking  
over my head, but plaudits to you on the other hand for offering such a 
Medieval  challenge. It's an old, OLD word!
 
I am back now from a monthly meeting, where I found myself  narcoleptically 
(new word?) nodding off. I thought only old men fell asleep at  meetings, but 
I 
guess Morpheus knows no gender-bias. Particularly embarrassing,  if anyone 
noticed, because I have to sit up front where I am the subject of  close 
inspection by the membership, and I am just now home and recovering from  the 
fact 
that my left-foot bootlaces were not evenly knotted up. What an  excruciating 
two hours.
 
When I get started on the fourth-quarter Property Owners newsletter, I have  
made mental note that the term 'bloviation' is used somewhere in one of the  
articles.
 
And I think I know where. Our former First District Supervisor did not run  
for re-election to his post. He chose instead to go for the job as County  
Assessor. Then he got himself appointed to the AQMD. These two posts now put 
him  
in control of land and air. The only thing left is water, and he's probably  
working on that.
 
And he's taken a good chunk of time off, now, to go into re-hab. I picture  
him re-habbing in a hotel somewhere, with or without wife and kids / and / or 
 
mistress - while his humungous salary and his bills continue to be paid.
 
Please send any other 'new' words that you have hanging around, because I  
don't foresee this guy hanging around much longer.
 
I didn't mean to get off the subject thread - just had to vent and share.  
Please continue with the draft horse information. I am particularly 
interested  
in the mules.
 
Sandy
 
 
 
 
In a message dated 10/10/2008 3:16:20 P.M. Pacific Standard Time,  
Clansgian AT wmconnect.com writes:


>  >I would imagine that James would be your best bet in this  regard.

Maybe not, because here is what I'd say:

Homesteader  types get too wrapped up in the minutia of breeds as if raising 
South  Albanian Flathead ducks would make or break the flock rather than East 
 
Slabovian Blue Foots.  What applies to all ducks is 98% of it and  that is 
what 
makes or breaks the operation.

Same goes for draft  horses.  While it's a lot of fun to bloviate over this 
or 
that breed,  what makes or breaks the experience with the horse is not the 
breed.   For that,  really any horse will do.  Any horse that you train to  
the 
harness will do all anyone needs done around a homestead.  If the  horse is 
small, 
you will need two or more.

I have a Belgian.   He is a wonderful soul, but he is an overkill.  He weighs 
2000 lbs  and scarcely bats an eye at hauling oak logs out of the woods, much 
less  be concerned in the least with a plow or forecart.  I have him because 
he  
cost me very little.  By the bye, it does not cost twice as much to  keep a 
2000lb horse as a 1000 lb horse.  The feed and pasture they  need for 
maintenance 
is scarcely different.

Especially if you are  starting out, don't split hairs over the breed.  But 
that's what I  say about all farmstead livestock.

Also don't limit your possibilities  to horses.  Mules are generally more 
expensive but donkeys,  especially Mammoths, are less expensive than horses 
and are 
wonderful and  flexible draft animals.

If you've got a deep purse, have fun mulling  over breeds.  If you haven't, 
keep your eyes open for whatever.   Any horse is a potential draft  animal.

James


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