RURAL HERITAGE is a bimonthly journal in support of farming and logging with draft horses, mules, and oxen. The July/August issue was mailed to subscribers on May, 19, 2010. Below is this issue's annotated Table of Contents, with links to a few samples of the good reading delivered to your door every other month when you subscribe to Rural Heritage. If in your reading you run across a drafty word you don't recognize, consult our online Draft Dictionary.

Table of Contents

~ Departments ~

From Our Readers:
An ambitions group is attempting to re-create the Virginia Freight Wagon (six-horse bell team), documenting both the equipment and the driving techniques. The aging of the last two remaining waggoneers is bringing a sense of urgency to the project.

Reader Profile: Reg Morton
With the help of a creative camper builder, Mr. Morton comes up with a unique way to travel with his mules and dog.

Tim Kleuwer of Edgar, Wis., mows grass hay with his Percherons.
Photo by Joe Mischka .

Porch Conversations: Re-Telling Old Stories
The front porch, both on our website and in your homes is a great place to listen to and pass on the stories of our elders. The wisdom and humor shared here is timeless.

Farm Fresh: A House for our Chickens
This tractor does not have an engine, but makes a great home for the six new Bovan chicks that Ms. Rice and her family now own.

Rural Bookshelf
Joe Mischka reviews the new video Seasons: A Year in the Life of a Pack Station introducing us to the world of backcountry mule travel.

A Reader Asks about: A Wooden Corn Planter
Sam Moore does it again. A corn planter is the subject of his latest investigation. This one is from the late 1800's and manufactured by the Keystone Manufacturing Company of (later purchased by International Harvester).

Let's Talk Rusty Iron: Human-Powered Mechanized Saws Sam Moore starts at the binning in our lesson on saws. He takes us from the Egyptians to the mid 1900's when the chain saw took over most sawing work. Reflections - Crystal Clear For anyone who has loved a horse and raised a son, Ralph Rice touches us with his remembrances.

Teamster Tips
A look back at tried and true advice from the 1970's and 1980's issues of Rural Heritage, featuring: preparing for a parade, shoeing stock for oxen, carriage maintenance and much more.

Associations and Breeders Directory
(contacts for breed registries and regional draft clubs)

My Card & Classified Ads

Calendar of Events
(frequently updated online)

Advertisers in this issue (with links)
(please tell 'em you saw it in Rural Heritage)

~ Features ~

Getting More From Less
Dairy farmers Tim and Kim Kluewer prove that you can make a living on a small acreage with hard work, proven methods, and a willingness to learn from others - all without a tractor!

A Driving Force
Pegasus Therapeutic Equestrian Center's program for disabled American veterans began 15 years ago. They provide a unique experience in riding and driving that benefits the veterans physically, psychologically and socially.

Hay Mow: A Safe Place for Danger
The haymow is fondly remembered by Philip Oden, not for its nutritious value, but for its much more important recreational value.

Good Bugs
The importance of probiotics in maintaining and restoring the natural bacteria in an animal's stomach is explained.

Make Mine a Mule
Terry Nichols begins his series on mules with a little backround on his experiences and a lot of deserved praise for his favorite animals.

Water and Hoof Health Our farrier, Thomas Breningstall, calls on his 32 years of experience to teach us the importance of clean water, among other things, for good hoof health. Painting the Sun: Gregg Caudell Read about this rare find: a promising artist who turned instead to ironwork, writing and horse logging. He finally returned to his passion for painting - and how! Showcased are his beautiful "plein air" paintings.

Rush & Jessee's Old Kentucky Field Day
A rain out, a couple of mules, and good friends are the beginning of a wonderful annual field day. See great photos of this event that has grown to bring over 60 mule teams and more than a dozen horse teams together for some good "clean" fun.

Market Gardening - click on title to read this story in full.
We return to the Arnold property (May/June 2010) to see the transformation of their rural farm into a thriving market garden.

Training for Safety: Be Prepared & Plan Ahead
Margaret Beeman and Ona Kiser continue their series with a lesson in teaching both the horse and driver skills that help them "maneuver smoothly and safely, coping with unexpected obstacles, awkward terrain and scary objects." Instructions for an exercise to practice these skills is described and photographed.

Life with Goats
Gail Damerow writes about her years raising goats, reviews a couple of goat books and debunks some common myths in the process.

Shoeing Stocks Bethany Caskey describes the basic elements of a shoeing stock and the proper method of installing an animal in one. A great drawing is included. The Wisdom of Cattle: A Relationship Formed on Mutual Strength and Respect Philip Henderson tells us about his Milking Devon and his Lineback team. His respect and love for these animals makes their relationship quite productive and rewarding.

2010 MODA Gathering
See great photos from this annual event at Tiller's International.

Hot Dog! I Love Summer!
We all love hot dogs, but this guy takes it to a higher level - he makes his own. And he is serious about this "hobby". I think we would all like to be invited to one of Mr. Rice's Bar-b-ques.

Index of Past Issues of Rural Heritage

This Reading Room is updated with each new issue. If you wish to be notified by email when new contents are posted, please Contact Us. If you wish to receive Rural Heritage in your mailbox every other month, please Subscribe.