Building a Better Collar and Harness for Developing Countries
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- čas přidán 17. 08. 2022
- In many third world countries, donkeys are the primary beast of burden and often endure harsh treatment due to poorly designed and badly fitted harness and collars. Bob Erickson of Westby, Wisconsin, was asked by several partites interested in helping developing countries make more efficient use of their draft animal power to see if he could make collars and harness for a team of donkeys using easily-secured materials available in those countries. Here's what Bob came up with using a 5-foot 2 by 10 plank, a handful of nuts and bolts, 200 feet of 3/8-inch sisal rope, 2 used plastic 5 gallon buckets, and two feet of 1/4-inch UPC pipe. He has been using the collars and harness on his donkeys for about 3 hours a day each of the two days prior to this shoot and a couple hours today as we went for a drive through the countryside. Knowing Bob, there will be some additonal refinements, but for the most part, he is pretty happy with the result. Here is some rough footage from today's shoot. Watch for a full episode in November on Rural Heritage on RFD-TV. See less
WOW! I've seen too many poorly fitted power animals when on USAID assignment. Thank you!!!! This goes with me next trip.
Bod, thanks very much for this. I'm trying the best option for my rescued donkeys to work the land in South Africa. Really useful ...and stunning donkeys you have!!!!
I just got donkeys, they are so sweet.
Is there information about how to make the caliper?
This is a great video, thank you!
Very enjoyable. I wish he lived in my area; I’d take lessons!
Thanks for watching!
Well explained , amazing talent that is shown about design & function of the harness , thank you , stay safe , enjoy !
He talks of donkeys- are these not mules? Whatever they are, they are so quiet and gentle.
They’re donkeys.
Pretty cool
what kind of donkey is yours and did you train them yourself also are they hard to train to pull.
Is there a design you can download?
The materials used are listed in the description of the video. Bob doesn't have plans written down, yet, it was just a prototype for Tillers International. We are hoping designs will be available in the near future.
Would those collars work on a draft horse?
No, they are made specifically for donkeys and specifically using materials available in developing countries
I like the open bridle on the donkeys. Why are there no collar pads ?
Hi Klaus. Bob maintains that if the fit is perfect and the surface smooth, a pad is not necessary. He is trying to use only available materials for the villagers.
I was wondering what the approximate weight of the collar is. I see a comment below asking if there is any drawings/design we could download. It really would be very helpful if there were. Bob is this possible?
We're not sure. It was made out of light wood, so approximately 8 pounds. The materials used are listed in the description of the video. Bob doesn't have plans written down, yet, it was just a prototype for Tillers International. We are hoping designs will be available in the near future.
I'd hate to see these used in developing countries where they might put on different donkeys of wrong size etc swapping and changing, selling etc and no padding be horrific on the shoulders. At least any country should have some old clothes, sheets wool or something soft built into the design.
Was this wanted specifically for donkey, or was this intended to be used on donkeys, mules and horses around the world?
This was specifically for donkeys, using materials that can be found in developing countries
Be cheaper than draft horses I would think
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