RURAL HERITAGE is a bimonthly journal in support of farming and logging with draft horses, mules, and oxen. The Holiday issue was mailed to subscribers on November 21, 2009. 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 ~

Reader Feedback - Letters from our readers.

Publisher's Post: A Sign of the Economic Times

Reader Profile: Terry Robinson
Meet gentle horseman Terry Robinson from Iowa and find out why he enjoys "the feel of the leather between his fingers and the sounds of the tug chain jingling".

A Reader Asks about...An IHC Hayloader
Sam Moore Describes the first successful hayloader designed by Keystone Manufacturing Co. (later acquired by IHC)

Farm Fresh: Greenhouse Glory
Alina Rice's amazing success with her cold climate greenhouse (as reportedin our Summer '09 issue). You will be so envious.

Walter Lawrence of Mountain, Ontario drives his team of Belgians, Limerick and Sarah, during the Leeds County Draft Horse Cub sleigh ride in February 2008.
photo by Valerie Kirkwood

J.C. Allen Archives A few samples of J. C. Allen's photographs, taken in the early 1900's, are featured. Teamster Tips Our monthly look back at tried and true advise from the 1970's and 1980's issues of Rural Heritage, featuring fore limb conformation, emergency harness repair and more.

The Rural Bookshelf
Joe Mischka recommends four wonderful new books for this season - for gift giving or self indulgence!

Reflections: In Praise of Winter Work
Whether building a stall or butchering an animal, wintyer brings family and friends inside, working together.

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

Calendar of Events
(frequently updated online)

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

~ Features ~

Are You Ready for an Emergency?
First aid (human and animal) to extra water and feed buckets are on Pete Cecil's mind when equipping his barn and farmstead for emergencies.

Grand Thurso Sleigh Ride 2009
In the Gatineau Hills of rural Quebec, Bob Touchett hosts an annual event that brings horses sleighs and friends together. Almost 20 outfits carry everyone into the snow covered hills and back for a day full of riding, singing, food and friendship.

USA and Ohio State Plowing Contests
Carriage Hill Metropark Farm in Huber Heights, Ohio hosted two plowing contests over Labor Day weekend. Rules, contestants, winners and many photos are presented here by Sam Moore.

Cattle Drive in Southern Iowa Bill Ward of Moravia, Iowa counts on his "friends with horses" to employ rotational grazing for his 100 head cattle herd.

Wound Management: What About Carbolic Acid?
A terrible accident involving a horse and a septic tank require Jerry Rice to practice sound wound management, as well as learn some history on the use of carbolic acid as an antiseptic.

From Tractors to Horses: Making the Switch
Thomas Payne decides to ignore family and friends who think he is "nuts" and trade in his machines for the animals he loves. Find out if it is all "peaches and cream".

On Pruning Apple Trees
Vision along witgh trial and error help Phillip Odden learn to prune his apple trees into the artistic,and prolific trees they are today.

Thirty Years Later and Still Pulling Strong
Bernie Soppa wanted his father to have a ocal pull in which to compete. This summer marked the 30th anniversary of that event in Alma, Wisconsin. some attendees have never missed it, including author Kay Stanton,

Iowa Teamsters Day
Bethany Caskey reports on events at the chilly Fourth Annual Iowa Teamsters Day in Moravia, Iowa.

The Irony of Skidding in...Teller City
Jenifer Morrissey took on a Logginfg Salvage Project in teh National Historic site of Teller City, Colorado. Learn about her great challenges and rewards.

Southern Draft Animal Days - click on title to read this story in full.
Sam Moore loves farm machinery, enjoy his thorough report on all of the equipment showcased at the First Annual Southern Draft Animal Days - including LOTS of photos.

Horselogging Demonstrations at Southern Draft Animal Days
The amazing performances of experienced horseloggers in the hills of Tennessee are beautifully photographed and reported by Joe Mischka. Don't try this at home!

Starting a Team VII: Pulling the First Load
Our horse training expert, Dave Feltenberger, continues his series with instruction on teaching your horse to pull his first load.

The Wisdom of Cattle: Strength of Character is Key to Success
Philip Henderson imparts more cattle wisdom upon us that is truely a message on taking the time to think a problem through instead of reacting impulsively.

NAIS Update: Not As Good As It Looks
Limited funding is an encouraging sign that NAIS will not meet it's original deadlines for implementation, but the fight is not over, according to Karen Berener.

Food Safety/Animal Rights Proposals Continue to Threaten Small Farms
Karen Bergener reports the latest information on food safety bill HR 2749 (senate version S.510). In addition, she discusses the "animal rights" bill in Ohio known as "Issue 2" and other food regulation news.

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.