ox training in Cuba

[Guest guest]

This is some interesting information I found regarding training full grown

oxen in Cuba - They started training 100,000 at a time due to fuel and tractor

part shortages. Might be applicable to oxen that have been in pasture for a

long time as well (like in Alachua or NV).

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Farmers’ recommended methods for training of animals (Cuba 2001*)

The training process should follow the following steps (according to local

criteria):

• Tether with a long rope in a pair to graze, drink, rest and other

activities. The idea is to accustom them to the smell, presence and movements

of the

other animal.

• Fit a nose-ring and attach to the yunta (team) partner to accustom the

animals to move together for all activities during several days.

• Yoke the animals daily and leave them with the yoke for several hours

whilst they move freely, eat and drink.

• They need to be slowly adapted to the yoke, to voice commands and guides.

• Finally light work must be practised for short periods. This will gradually

increase the training process until the animals are completely broken in.

• Animals should be specialized for a specific task, for example walking oxen

for carts, a yunta for pulling heavy loads, for plowing and crop-care jobs,

etc.

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Having the animals connected sounds a little dangerous (we once had one older

cow strangle herself when she panicked being tethered for the first time). I

supposed one would need to be available and keep a watch on them.