Plowing with the Single Horse

Plowing with the Single Horse

by:

Plowing with the Single Horse

by Lynn R. Miller of Singing Horse Ranch

“Horsedrawn Plows and plowing” is back in print! Today’s article, “Plowing with the Single Horse,” is an excerpt from Chapter 3, “Walking Plows.” Click here to order.

All other aspects being equal, the primary difference in plowing, comfortably, with a single horse is that the animal walks on unplowed ground immediately adjacent to the previous furrow, rather than in the furrow. This will cause the point of draft at the shoulder to be somewhat higher and will dictate hitching longer and/or higher than with the animal walking down 5 to 8 inches lower in the furrow. The single horse plow customarily has an 8 to 10 inch share width and adjustable handles.

Plowing with the Single Horse
Fig. 144 – Vertical adjustment of hitch on one horse walking plow. Note horse stands on land (unplowed ground).
Plowing with the Single Horse
Fig. 145 – Demonstrating in-line hitch on the single horse. Note the beam is set further over the moldboard than with 2 and 3 horse walking plows.
Plowing with the Single Horse
Fig. 146. This and the next two photos (figs. 147-148) are of Alan Slavick plowing with Noah, a Belgian gelding. Note safe position of the lines over one shoulder and under opposing armpit.
Plowing with the Single Horse
Fig. 147
Plowing with the Single Horse
Fig. 148