Homesteaders

[wyoDreamer]

@Chicken girl 15 Step one to getting self-sufficient is: Get rid of the horses!

Horses are expensive and require outside inputs like farrier, vet, testing and vaccinations.

 

[chickadoodles]

Sound great Chicken girl. I hope you reach your goals.

 

[chickadoodles]

I know my ancestors had horses they used to hunt and travel on. They did their own shoeing and did not do vaccines and vets then.

 

[Chicken girl 15]

The horses will be cared for on a trade basis . The ferier and vet will take trade of goods or services for their services. The purpose behind the horses is for logging and plowing and other farm work. We have already begun setting up our network in the area. Horses only cost as much as you let them.

 

[wyoDreamer]

They also didn't have to follow government regulations; depending on where you live, if you want to ride your horse on public trials you will need to have your horse tested and immunized annually.

Horses also earned their keep back then as transportation - being ridden or pulling wagons. Not many people have a forge and the skills needed for shoeing. The farrier would have a route that they traveled to visit their clients - with their wagon carrying all their tools and equipment.

Around here we affectionately call them HAY BURNERS.

 

[Chicken girl 15]

The annual cost to feed shoe and vet a horse is still less than the annual cost of running the multitude of different machines needed to do the work we plan on doing. Plus at the end of the day I find it relaxing to brush a horse . Its all a matter of needs. I prefer to pay the ferier and vet opposed to the oil company.

 

[wyoDreamer]

I hope I didn't offend, I was sorta making a joke about the horses.
So many people think "I'll get horses", planning to just put them out in the field and that is that. Horses are a lot of work.

I have been thinking about it myself, but I think I may go the route of oxen for a draft animal if I get to that point. The Devon is a triple-purpose breed. You can use them for milk, meat and draft.

 

[rancher hicks]

I am looking forward to our trees next year they at least a few should produce some fruit we will be able to eat.
I do like to make jam and jelly.
I am looking forward to our pear tree getting ripe this year. I want to can some for pies and to just have some canned to eat.
I also like growing cantaloupe so I can freeze it.

Yes we still have all those other things to keep on paying for. So we keep on working.....

I have a Strawberry/cantaloupe jam recipe.

For those who don't know. I got as many canning books at the library and then bought three I liked. "We sure can!" , "Preserve it" and "250 Home Preserving Favorites. " They do address vegetables as well as fruits. They also address some uncommon jams and jellies too.

Purchased on line of course. I got two of them for less than one would have cost. Used isn't always bad either. Most folks buy cookbooks and then don't use them very much if at all. DW has plenty.

 

[Chicken girl 15]

@wyoDreamer no offense taken. I figured you were just making sure I knew the mess I was getting into. I currently work 2 farms caring for 20 horses of various breeds. They are hell to deal with but dreamy to be around if properly tended. I never thought about oxen. Is it similar in taste to beef? What about the milk? Always good to consider new options.

 

[rancher hicks]

We are on year 3 for our garden and it's finally producing enough to keep us satisfied for the summer. Next year we will triple the size though. There are 7 of us so bigger is better. I enjoy canning and jamming with the kids. So far it's just fruit/vegetables and chickens. Next comes the big step, building a barn and fencing in our back 5 acres for cows and horses. I got very lucky with my hubby being an auto mechanic and me being very handy around the house. We are attempting to be self-contained inside of 10 years. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

If you have a public library you can read up on those who wrote books on homesteading and "glean" from them. I say free is always better and barter is good too. With hubby being an auto mechanic he will have work. It's a field I recommend kids go into.

Remember to plan on paper even if you don't follow it exact. Start small and grow. Don't try to do to much all at once.

Somethings I'd like to do? Rain barrels for the garden. More organized lay out for my 5 coops. I prefer hoops as they work for all types of animals, storage and are easy to build. Building should be on a "berm" so they water runs down and away.

Basically do what works for you. There are no hard and fast rules. I'm in NYS so what would work here may not work where others are.