|
|
News from Garfield Farm |
On Sunday May 7, from 8:30 am - 4 pm, Garfield
Farm Museum will offer a hands on class in driving oxen. Seminar
participants will learn the basic care, history, driving commands and
body language used to work with this important source of power stil l
used in many third world countries today.
To portray 1840s Illinois, Garfield Farm
Museum has 4 oxen, the same number Timothy Garfield had in 1849. Oxen
are any trained cattle that are 4 years old or more, as at the age of
4, cattle are considered fully grown. Used for centuries, oxen
have pulled any heavy load that needed power. From plows to logs,
America depended on ox power to pull cannons in the Revolution and head
settlers west over the Oregon Trail.
Taking 3-4 years to produce a fully trained
ox, there are 5 basic commands an ox must master. "Come up" for moving
forward, "gee" to turn right, "haw" to turn left, "back" to go into
reverse, and "whoa" to come to an immediate stop, are commands
accompanied by the driver's body position that must be learned by ox
and driver.
The ox team Duke and Doc, with instruction by
museum volunteers will teach the participants. Advanced reservations
are required and there is a $60 fee for the class. Garfield Farm Museum
is located 5 miles west of Geneva, IL off ILL Rt.38 on Garfiel d Road.
For information call 630 584-8485 or email info@garfieldfarm.org.