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We sold several Cherolet x hereford yearling steers when I was a lad, Three years later we saw three of them winning ribbons as best pen of oxen. Seeing our brand on those behemoths was a revelation. They were close to 6 feet at the withersI am very very interested in this process.... Working cattle or Oxen can out work a draft horse in some cases.... Oxen... Motza.... have a lower center of gravity... so in my opinion they are much better at farm work at a younger age than horses. Horses go faster... Yep even Drafts can book it... but that wastes energy... Hard work means slow work.. Plowing ... mowing... hauling logs..
Historically Any Bovine that reaches the age of 4 can be used as an Ox. Though training needs to start really early actual work needs to wait till the Bovine is old enough. With Cattle that is around three to four years.... Cattle dont sweat like horses do so heat is a factor.... Water Buffalo have an added advantage... they work in an environment where they can take advantage of places to Cool off.
IF I get a cow... I want a minature breed. Something that when I breed it to refresh... that the calf will get a good chance at life. Or be good for the freezer. Training momma to be an oxen will be fun wether or not we succeed.
For what its worth .... Steers that become Oxen keep growing... Till they are as much as seventeen hands and over 2000 lbs. Those can move mountains... and because of the training process become Pocket bovines.... LOL.. very friendly .... surprisingly intelligent too.
I love my draft horse... she needs a companion... cows work. So do goats.... LOL>
deb
Motza will not work properly until she has calved - atleast 18 months but the training is long as deb says
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