Ox Power - Ki Jaya!

[Guest guest]

Haribol prabhus,

PAMHO AGTSP

We're at the stage where Karuna our four month old is well able to come for

walks with us on a lead. He's got trust in us, will go down the steps to the

lake shore and wade in a little with us (to the level our wellieboots will

take). Reading my books here, and looking at the wealth of information that

is on com, we feel that we should now look at basic voice training and

getting him on his way. Our problem is that we've no ring, no suitable place

at present for one, and basically he walks on a lead, behind us. He gets

confused if we go behind him, so what do we do now anyone?

ys

[Guest guest]

> Our problem is that we've no ring, no suitable place

> at present for one, and basically he walks on a lead, behind us. He gets

> confused if we go behind him, so what do we do now anyone?

> ys

 

I trained a team of oxen without a ring. In retrospect, I wish I woud have

had

a ring, it would have made it easier, but while a ring is an excellent tool,

it is not a necessity.

 

It is good you all ready have a relationship with the ox. It makes it easier.

I used to go feed mine during japa. I would chant 6 rounds with them while

they

ate their grain. Everytime before I fed them grain, I would whistle a certain

whistle, then feed them. It wouldn't have to be a whistle, it could be any

kind of a call, just one they would consistently associate with goodies ( the

grain). Thereafter, anytime I needed them adn they were in deep woods or

whatever, if I whistled they came.

 

I put a regular halter on the near ox. As they were still small, I would say

git up adn then have my hand right on the halter and pull them forward. When

I

said whoa, I would pull back. They were small enough so I could physically

overpower them, although usually, as we were good friends, they were eager

to

do what I asked, but if they balked from time to time, I could lean into them

and force them to do what I wanted.

 

I also carried a gaff, which is a pointed stick with a sharp barb on it,

somewhat like a sannyasis danda, so I could also poke on one side of the neck

or by putting it over the back of the neck and pulling, poke on the other side

too, depending which command I was giving.

 

Every day I had to walk 2 miles to Bahulaban to do my service, so the training

prettty much consisted of walking down with them in the morning, and then

walking back up at night. When they had done really well for a couple of

weeks, I stopped using the rope tied to the halter, and just did voice

commands.

 

Well, inevitably, they ran away. Fortunately, the trail was pretty defined,

being a an old logging road through the woods. Once they got down to the

public

road, they stopped and I eventually arrived. I took the raope I carried with

me, caught them, tied them to a tree, then in no uncertain terms and in a

very loud voice I let them know that I was unhappy with them. I must of

screamed for 5 minutes. Then I just walked away and left them there all day.

When I was going home that evening, I untied them and walked them back up.

They never ran away again.