OX POWER - KI JAYA! An Ox-Power Handbook
 

by Paramananda dasa, former Minister of Agriculture, International Society for Krishna Consciousness

Edited by Hare Krsna dasi

Copyright 1997 Ben Jenkins
Reproduced here by permission of the author

Photos in the "How to Make a Yoke" section are here by the kind permission of Suresvara dasa, drawings by Sarva-siddhi Ratha dasa, and color photos by Paramananda dasa.

CONTENTS

Introduction to the Ring

Establish a good relationship from the very beginning
The Teamster's Qualifications
Naming the Ox
Age for Training
Avoiding Use of a Lead Rope
The Training Ring
The First Trip to the Ring

Lesson 1: Teaching the Command "Get-up!"

The Lash
"Get-Up!"
Communicating with the Ox
Training Style: Patience and Firmness
Potential Problems
A Peaceful Return to the Barn

Lesson 2: Reviewing "Get-up!"; Teaching the Command "Whoa!"

Reviewing "Get-up!"
"Whoa!"
Abuses of the "Whoa!" Command

Lesson 3: Teaching the Command "Back!"

Techniques for Backing Up Straight

Lesson 4: Teaching the Commands "Gee!" and "Haw!"

"Haw!" - Come Here, to the Left
"Gee!" -- Go to the Right

Lesson 5: Starting to Work

Keeping the Neigh Ox Near
Start with a Light Load
Training in the Woods
Preventing Injury and Fears

How to Make a Yoke

Yoke Styles
The Wood
Squaring the Log
Carving the Roughed-Out Yoke
Smoothing with the Adze

Making The Irons

How To Make An Ox-Bow

Selecting the Wood
Splitting the Log
Hewing the Stick
Shaping with a Drawknife
Steaming the Bow
Bending the Bow
Bow Keys