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CloversMum
3486 Posts
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 Posted - Mar 03 2014 : 8:34:11 PM
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This topic just caught my eye and made me smile! We moved to our acreage about four years ago and I shocked my friends and family by how much I love living here. They have all said I just didn't have enough "country" in me. But I have a new favorite outfit this winter. I absolutely love my insulated coveralls with my bog boots to go out and do the chores. I am just never cold anymore! I also have been known to wear my pearls with my overalls...a little glamour never hurt anyone!
Clover's Mum |
Loving life and family on our Idaho farm, Meadowlark Heritage Farm; A few Jersey cows; a few alpacas; a few more goats, and even more ducks and chickens |
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maryjane
7074 Posts
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Posted - Mar 04 2014 : 04:54:16 AM
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What I love about "farm fashion" is the fact that warmth and comfy are part of the dress code. Yes to pearls!!!! And insulated overalls. When I'm getting ready to milk my cows, I put on warm clothes so comfy I could probably sleep in them but then I gussy things up with some dangly earrings or maybe a fun hat with a big bow on it. My cows love it!
What brand of insulated overalls do you swear by? |
MaryJane Butters, author of Milk Cow Kitchen ~ striving for the stoicism of a cow standing in the rain ~ |
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CloversMum
3486 Posts
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Posted - Mar 06 2014 : 8:17:34 PM
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| This year was the first year I've had insulated overalls and the brand was Keys. They have worked great and washed up well. I just loved the fact that I stayed warm! In the past, I would get so cold I didn't want to spend much time out with my animals. This year I got to spend more time comfortably outside! |
Loving life and family on our Idaho farm, Meadowlark Heritage Farm; A few Jersey cows; a few alpacas; a few more goats, and even more ducks and chickens |
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maryjane
7074 Posts
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Posted - Mar 07 2014 : 1:05:02 PM
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| I know what you mean about warmth. If you're dancing around shivering, you're always in a hurry to leave. I took three of my cows for long walks today (halter training) and I was sweating by the time I was done. Love the warmer weather and bit of sun that showed up today! |
MaryJane Butters, author of Milk Cow Kitchen ~ striving for the stoicism of a cow standing in the rain ~ |
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CloversMum
3486 Posts
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Posted - Mar 08 2014 : 8:14:24 PM
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There was some sunshine today and we were out in the farm yard most of the day...the promise of spring is wonderful. And I heard some Meadowlarks singing! What do you do for halter training? What sort of halter do you recommend or use?
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Loving life and family on our Idaho farm, Meadowlark Heritage Farm; A few Jersey cows; a few alpacas; a few more goats, and even more ducks and chickens |
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maryjane
7074 Posts
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Posted - Mar 09 2014 : 1:27:11 PM
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I like the Weaver brand of halters sold here locally at Spence. Some times I have to punch a few more holes in them for my smaller Jerseys. I don't leave them on all the time because they can end up with sore spots where a halter rubs.
Part of training a cow to lead is also teaching them to stand still when you approach with a halter. I'm training three of my girls right now by walking (leading) them down the road and back every day. One is doing fabulous. One is fine but makes me chase her a tad before she'll stand still to get her halter on. Once I get a firm voice and tell her to stop, she stops for me--kids these days:) The youngest of the three objects on and off while we're walking.
I do believe I've finally figured out a system that works but it's complicated. The biggest ingredient for success is spending TIME doing it every day. I should make a video (in my spare time:)
The most important thing to remember is to start early on handling them all over their bodies, especially touching their udders and back legs. Lots of kisses and gentle scratching all over! Let them lick and smell you as soon as possible. Whenever you approach a cow, you should offer her one of your hands, palm up, for her to sniff and let there be a good long moment for just that. It's a gesture that is reassuring to them.
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MaryJane Butters, author of Milk Cow Kitchen ~ striving for the stoicism of a cow standing in the rain ~ |
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CloversMum
3486 Posts
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Posted - Mar 16 2014 : 5:44:20 PM
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| Thank you for your helpful advice! This coming week is spring break for our family and one of our goals is to increase our halter-training time with Clover. We already rub her all over and she loves it. And, I do vote "yes" for a video to be made in your spare time! Hopefully, your new book will help me as well. |
Loving life and family on our Idaho farm, Meadowlark Heritage Farm; A few Jersey cows; a few alpacas; a few more goats, and even more ducks and chickens |
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maryjane
7074 Posts
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Posted - Mar 20 2014 : 06:52:00 AM
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Once the halter is on and she's hooked up to a lead rope, go to her left side, holding the lead rope in your left hand kinda looped up, keeping your right hand free to tuck under the back of her halter at the base of her head. Hook just your four fingers under there (palm up) so your fingers can come and go freely. I use that hand to train her not to walk too fast or throw her head from side to side by pushing my thumb lightly into her neck when she misbehaves. But the minute she's doing what I want, I release my thumb and/or take that hand out entirely. The important thing to remember is that the minute she's walking as you want and staying by your right side, reward her by decreasing all the tension in your right hand as well as putting slack in the lead rope that's in your left hand. When she acts up, you can put both hands into action again. I've had a couple of cows who walk for a while and then stop. Since you're facing forward, take the little bit of tail from the lead rope in your left hand and toss it back to her rear end (without turning to your left far enough to even see her rear end) and let the tail of the rope give a gentle little switch to her rear end. With one of the cows I'm training right now, when she stops and I even start to move my body slightly as though she's getting the switch, she starts walking again. I barely have to do it anymore to her. But in the beginning, it was ten steps forward, stop, switch, ten steps ... This way I'm never pulling on a cow's halter and I'm always on her left side for training purposes. (When a cow is in heat, they tend to be feisty no matter how well trained they are.) I have cows now that know to stay by my right side and walk my pace, turn, etc. using this method.
Another important thing to remember is to never act in anger. Start out by walking her around her pasture. If your first walk is only 10 feet, fine.
I had a bull calf, who after about six steps using this method, would crank his head around and fall onto the ground and act like he was dead. It was pretty funny actually. I'd just stand there and pretty soon he'd get back up, acting like he hadn't just done that. Again, just time and patience.
Oh, and I had an 8-month-old cow who would drop down on her two front knees when we walked across green grass. She doesn't do it anymore but it was hilarious, her with her butt in the air like that. |
MaryJane Butters, author of Milk Cow Kitchen ~ striving for the stoicism of a cow standing in the rain ~ |
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CloversMum
3486 Posts
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Posted - Mar 22 2014 : 8:46:49 PM
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| Clover's improving! She's walking quite well with the lead rope...still needs practice but she's so sweet! I always greet her like you suggested by talking and letting her lick my hand as I extend it to her. She is really responding well! |
Loving life and family on our Idaho farm, Meadowlark Heritage Farm; A few Jersey cows; a few alpacas; a few more goats, and even more ducks and chickens |
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Ron
4666 Posts
Ronnie
Peever
SD
USA
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Posted - Sep 06 2014 : 05:38:34 AM
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Ok you guys. I tried the pearls for morning milking and the cow fell over and I think she was laughing. I do not think she has a sense for glamour. Or maybe it could be the pearls and the beard do not go together on account Elaine was laughing at me too!
Guess it is back to the Carhart shirt Boggs rancher boots ( check them out by the way they are great ) and the Dickies pants. Also love the Ansell Hyflex gloves, not to much money and nice for summer chores. Oh and the baseball style cap to keep the hair out of my eyes. |
With a moo moo here and a moo moo there, here a moo, there a moo, everywhere a moo moo. |
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NellieBelle
11217 Posts
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Posted - Sep 06 2014 : 05:55:43 AM
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| Sounds quite fashionable to me! I almost grabbed some gloves this morning, but decided I would be fine without. It was 49 degrees this morning so I have to adjust as it's been so warm for so long, I'm just not use to the cooler stuff yet. Time to be thinking about the colder weather though and the clothes needed. |
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Ron
4666 Posts
Ronnie
Peever
SD
USA
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Posted - Sep 06 2014 : 06:07:14 AM
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At least the cooler mornings keep the flying insects at bay. They have been bad last couple weeks. Always try to keep a biting insect free environment for the animals.
By the way, good morning! A busy day ahead. |
With a moo moo here and a moo moo there, here a moo, there a moo, everywhere a moo moo. |
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maryjane
7074 Posts
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Posted - Sep 06 2014 : 06:41:11 AM
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| Pearl! Another good name for a cow. I had a friend in high school named Pearl. Ron, maybe you missed the mark with your fingernail polish. Cows have a keen sense of fashion. What color were you wearing?:) It's all about pearls and polish. |
MaryJane Butters, author of Milk Cow Kitchen ~ striving for the stoicism of a cow standing in the rain ~ |
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Ron
4666 Posts
Ronnie
Peever
SD
USA
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Posted - Sep 06 2014 : 07:16:58 AM
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That had to be it MJ! I did not have any nail polish at all. Elaine says She is putting Her foot down though. I can not use Her pearls or nail polish anymore at all.
I think Pearl is a great name for a cow...you are just full of good ideas, and so early in the morning too. |
With a moo moo here and a moo moo there, here a moo, there a moo, everywhere a moo moo. |
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CloversMum
3486 Posts
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Posted - Sep 06 2014 : 4:36:45 PM
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| This all is making me laugh! Ron, my son just bought a pair of Boggs rancher boots and he really likes them. |
Loving life and family on our Idaho farm, Meadowlark Heritage Farm; A few Jersey cows; a few alpacas; a few more goats, and even more ducks and chickens |
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Ron
4666 Posts
Ronnie
Peever
SD
USA
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Posted - Sep 06 2014 : 6:36:59 PM
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| The boots hold up too. I actually wear them summer and winter and they keep out the cold and they do not get too hot. I will get them again when they wear out. Nice fit also. |
With a moo moo here and a moo moo there, here a moo, there a moo, everywhere a moo moo. |
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CloversMum
3486 Posts
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Posted - Sep 09 2014 : 09:49:02 AM
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| Good to know that they hold up...maybe I'll get a pair when my current bogs wear out. The sole just looked solid and my son says that it gives him good foot support (which is more important to my feet than his probably since he's still young!). |
Loving life and family on our Idaho farm, Meadowlark Heritage Farm; A few Jersey cows; a few alpacas; a few more goats, and even more ducks and chickens |
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Ron
4666 Posts
Ronnie
Peever
SD
USA
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Posted - Sep 09 2014 : 10:00:31 AM
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| You will love them Charlene. And toasty warm in winter too..... :) |
With a moo moo here and a moo moo there, here a moo, there a moo, everywhere a moo moo. |
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My sense of fashion has changed!
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