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Discussion: Horses, Donkeys, Mules, Camels, Oxen
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redcomrad |
Horses, Donkeys, Mules, Camels, Oxen
Jul 20 2011, 5:30 AM EDT
We've discussed this a little but never had a serious discussion on these possibly very valuable resources, so i think its a good idea to finally make a serious thread about them so what our your guys opinions?
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redcomrad |
1. RE: Horses, Donkeys, Mules, Camels, Oxen
Jul 20 2011, 5:34 AM EDT
| Post edited: Jul 20 2011, 5:35 AM EDT
Well in my opinion depending on where your at using work animals would be very good especially as transportation, in areas like the great plain, and Central valley horses would probably be especially effective in the open and vast landscape where feeding them would not be too much of a hassal.These areas would possibly give rise to large nomad bands and little kingdoms dependent on horses kinda like the Boer republics and the plains Indians. 1 out of 2 found this valuable. Do you? |
Filadog |
2. RE: Horses, Donkeys, Mules, Camels, Oxen
Jul 20 2011, 6:29 AM EDT
All have advantages and disadvantagesI have a friend that has a team of Jersey Oxen, she got them when they were 3 day old for like $10 since bull dairy calves are close to worthless. Had them cut and At around a year old we started working with them using an old yoke I had and then one she made. They were very easy to get used to the yoke and we soon were leading them all over. 6 months later they pull a sledge and she used them to pull out brush One big advantage an Ox has over a horse is that you don't need any expensive harness that you have to upkeep. Easier and safer to work with as well I think and less maintenance compared to a horse. Lots of cows out there and makiing an Ox can be a good way to put an undesirable bull calf to use. These reasons are why you see poor farmers around the world that use Oxen instead of horses I think a Donkey or Mule could be useful too. both are easier to take care of then a horse normaly. Of course Mules are sterile so they can't be bred. A donkey even if small can still perform a good deal of work. Just last week I met a man that has a team of miniture Mules he hooks to a shaft and as they walk in a circle they turn a gear box that turns a pully that you can use for power. He had an ice cream maker attached but I have seen simular rigs that cut wood or pumped water Horses for the right person could be good but they require a good bit of care and feed would be an issue. Also require experance to work with and can be dangerous 1 out of 2 found this valuable. Do you? |
OutlawJames |
3. RE: Horses, Donkeys, Mules, Camels, Oxen
Jul 20 2011, 8:00 AM EDT
And they are all best served with Barbaque sauce
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humanroach |
4. RE: Horses, Donkeys, Mules, Camels, Oxen
Jul 20 2011, 9:09 AM EDT
these animals have all served human civilization well. if it wasnt for them we wouldnt have made it to where we are today. modern man forgets what the work animal has done for us because in most parts of the world they arent needed anymore.i plan on using horses and mules for survival when SHTF, but most people dont. most survivalist plan on using cars, and anything they can scavenge fr survival. i think this is a very narrow and shortsighted survival plan. when zombies come, the wise thing to do would be to leave the cities for the country, to avoid the mass zombies. in the country horses will have more use than in the city. dont think just because 3/4 of the people in the world are gone that there will be plenty of fuel for your cars. lots of it will be lost during the hysteria. you wont be the only one hoarding the fuel 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
PedroAsani |
5. RE: Horses, Donkeys, Mules, Camels, Oxen
Jul 20 2011, 2:41 PM EDT
"And they are all best served with Barbaque sauce"I prefer camel burgers with Honey Mustard. It works better with the tang of the meat. Do you find this valuable? |
UNCLE_ZEDDY |
6. RE: Horses, Donkeys, Mules, Camels, Oxen
Jul 20 2011, 3:03 PM EDT
"Horses for the right person could be good but they require a good bit of care and feed would be an issue. Also require experance to work with and can be dangerous "I grew up on a farm with 30 horses a few mules and donkeys and 250 cows and some bulls, I'd like to say that horses really don't require anymore upkeep than any of the others and as far as them being dangerous any of the animals listed here could be equally dangerous. Solid hoofs weight and muscle of at least 4 or 5 men (even a little donkey) and a bad dispostion equals danger for someone not used to being around any animal. I'm not saying your wrong that they require upkeep and can be dangerous but that is any animal that you try to keep, not just the horse. 2 out of 2 found this valuable. Do you? |
timberrattler |
7. RE: Horses, Donkeys, Mules, Camels, Oxen
Jul 20 2011, 4:45 PM EDT
| Post edited: Jul 20 2011, 4:46 PM EDT
Before I let my horses go, my plan was always to use them more for pack animals than mounts if I had to bug out. Putting our supplies on one and our children on the other.If I were to choose between the four listed I'd have to agree with Filadog on the usefulness and toughness of a mule. I have a neighbor who owns Belgium mares as well as Morgan mares that he breeds to his Jack. You get a strong animal who can tolerate heat better and pull more pound for pound than any other mount IMO. I have no experience with oxen but can see where they'd be useful. Do you find this valuable? |
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redcomrad |
8. RE: Horses, Donkeys, Mules, Camels, Oxen
Jul 20 2011, 8:31 PM EDT
i was thinking one day i would get a nice house out in the country move into a small town own some nice land and learn how to ride a horse or camel either would be useful. Camels are slower but they have more fur, meat, and you can get milk from their females and im pretty sure they generally can carry way more than a horse.
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Sharysa |
9. RE: Horses, Donkeys, Mules, Camels, Oxen
Jul 27 2011, 9:08 PM EDT
| Post edited: Jul 27 2011, 9:18 PM EDT
Camels are pretty useful, but they also carry about twice the risks. Look at how high a horse is--even falls from the smallest ponies (that aren't miniature) are well-known risks for fracturing a bone or two. A fall from a camel, which will be about twice as high, is going to naturally be much worse if it takes you by surprise.Tack is going to need really good maintenance, but camel tack in particular (especially for Bactrians) is going to be very hard to find/repair depending on where you are. This site has a lot of info on camels vs. horses as mounts. http://www.camelphotos.com/CamelVsHorses.html Also: Goats and large dogs can also be used as pack animals. They can carry about 25% of their weight (25-50 pounds) and in the case of goats, you won't have to worry as much about feeding them. Dogs are also less strenuous per food terms; most things I can eat are fine for my dog, barring chocolate, tomatoes, alcohol, grapes, and onions. 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
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Hega-boy |
10. RE: Horses, Donkeys, Mules, Camels, Oxen
Jul 28 2011, 10:18 AM EDT
Camels are smelly bastards and are quite slow. If you go by the theory that the zeds sense of smell is better than ours I'd stay away from em there also very moody and with a proper saddle there bigger than horses
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dizzyditchdigger |
11. RE: Horses, Donkeys, Mules, Camels, Oxen
Apr 15 2012, 3:56 AM EDT
"so what our your guys opinions?"http://www.cracked.com/article_18683_7-scientific-reasons-zombie-outbreak-would-fail-quickly.html 2 out of 3 found this valuable. Do you? |
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dizzyditchdigger |
12. RE: Horses, Donkeys, Mules, Camels, Oxen
Apr 15 2012, 3:57 AM EDT
http://www.cracked.com/article_18683_7-scientific-reasons-zombie-outbreak-would-fail-quickly.html
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shadowmancer |
13. RE: Horses, Donkeys, Mules, Camels, Oxen
Apr 15 2012, 4:54 AM EDT
| Post edited: Apr 15 2012, 5:16 AM EDT
Cammels in Canada would be rather cruel to them because there is something in the soil which irriates their feet causing pain and discomfort. Cammels are out of the riding for me. I would consider donkey and horse because you can breed steril mules for plow animals, horses for riding and mules as pack animals.LOL i would strangly like to have elephants but that would be worse than cammels lol they'd freeze, unless we knit giant sweaters of course. 3 out of 3 found this valuable. Do you? |
Vito12 |
14. RE: Horses, Donkeys, Mules, Camels, Oxen
Apr 15 2012, 5:23 AM EDT
"Well in my opinion depending on where your at using work animals would be very good especially as transportation, in areas like the great plain, and Central valley horses would probably be especially effective in the open and vast landscape where feeding them would not be too much of a hassal.the boers were farmers attached to the land, they only became the best mobile fighters of their day due to circumstances - war. the nomadic warriors to look at would be the huns (atilla) and the mongols (genghis khan), who swept through western asia and into europe. the huns, franks and mongols (among others) were nomadic warrior nations Do you find this valuable? |
ubersoldat |
15. RE: Horses, Donkeys, Mules, Camels, Oxen
Apr 15 2012, 8:45 AM EDT
also rememer that dogs are very useful animals as well. trained sled dogs are still used in the northern climes today, but a dog team and a cart could provide you with a small team of camp guards at night as well a means to transport more gear than you could carry on your back.remember that any pack animal requires a lot of food to maintain it. grazing alone will not get the job done, especially considering just how much time is needed to properly graze an animal. other animals that found in the US that can be converted to pack use are alpaccas (spelling?), llamas, domesticated bison, and even elephants found in many preserves and zoos. in the northern climates people have used reindeer and moose for sled and pack animals. Do you find this valuable? |
Oakspar77777 |
16. RE: Horses, Donkeys, Mules, Camels, Oxen
Apr 15 2012, 8:15 PM EDT
Also, despite the temptation, do not eat a stray horse. Any horse treated with bute (a painkill commonly used on riding and work horses) is borderline toxic to humans for years. Beats starving to death - but nothing short of actual death. Do you find this valuable? |
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Filadog |
17. RE: Horses, Donkeys, Mules, Camels, Oxen
Apr 15 2012, 11:10 PM EDT
"Also, despite the temptation, do not eat a stray horse. Any horse treated with bute (a painkill commonly used on riding and work horses) is borderline toxic to humans for years. Beats starving to death - but nothing short of actual death.The danger of horse meat from a horse that has been treated with "Bute' {phenybutazone ] , a non steroid anti- inflammatory drug, has been greatly exagerated by the anti horse meat eating crowd who want to make horse slaughter for food illegal. I've read stuff these groups put out that makes it sould like if you eat one steak of this meat it is ceratin death Bute was devolped originaly in 1949 for use by people with rhemtoid arthritis and was used for years like this untill banned. I used to breed horses,and I'd seen people that worked for me to take a dose of bute for aches and pains. Common on the race track. I think all traces of bute is gone in an animal after around a month I've eaten a ton of horse meat, I always hated to see good meat go to waste so if I had to put one down was BBQ time or I made jerky. I ate the tenderloin from a young horse that I shot that had recently been on bute for a blown tendon...was delicious and I'm still alive 20 years later I've heard that with some children it may cause Aplastic Anemia maybe.....probably one of those things that you would have to eat a couple pounds of meat every day for 10 years for it to affect you I wouldn't worry about it myself Do you find this valuable? |
Zee-Man |
18. RE: Horses, Donkeys, Mules, Camels, Oxen
Apr 15 2012, 11:56 PM EDT
| Post edited: Apr 15 2012, 11:58 PM EDT
I love this site! For something like...forever... I thought oxen were a separate species of bovine. I never realized they were draft steers. I'm going to have to rethink the number of cattle I want around. While I was only willing to have some for the opportunity of making cheesy goodness, now I have the excuse of producing draft animals. It has always seemed sinful to use a riding horse for draft work. Around here, that is all we have is riding horses. Well, there are a few teams of heavy horse in Lancaster. Damn! gotta put a whole new section in the scavenger diary. Hope the small dairy farmer near the ORP wants to join the colony. Um, what is the usual ratio of male to female offspring from cattle? Do you find this valuable? |
Dirttrackracer |
19. RE: Horses, Donkeys, Mules, Camels, Oxen
Apr 18 2012, 1:09 AM EDT
truthfully, horse, donkeys, mules or oxen I don't see as a valuable way to travel. The reason why is because of the food factor. I feel that the zombies will eat on any and everything living. I don't feel it will be like it is in the movies or even in a lot of books. I think anything with a pulse will be targeted as food, whether it be animal or human.
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