How to Work Oxen

With a history stemming back to their biblical ties, oxen are known as gentle giants that are willing to put in long hours of hard labor. Farmers or ranchers who own oxen can use the power of these humble beasts and use them in their daily operations such as plowing or hauling loads of materials. While oxen are generally always ready for a hard day of labor, it is important to ensure the animals are being worked properly for their health and well-being.

Things You'll Need

  • Harness
  • Sweat pad oxen collar
  • Rope
  • Water
  • Feed
  • Cart or plow
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Instructions

    • 1

      Get the harness ready for the oxen. Once you have the two animals next to each other, you will want to have the harnesses at your disposal so you can quickly get the oxen dressed in their work gear.

    • 2

      Stand your better, or lead ox, on the far side or the right. You will not be able to directly reach this beast with a halter so, he needs to have the personality where he will listen to you. The neigh ox, or the animal who needs more guidance, should be on the left as you can lead him with a halter, if necessary.

    • 3

      Put ropes around the neck of each oxen and loosely tie them to a post, gate or fence so that you can attach the work equipment.

    • 4

      Give the oxen some water and food so the animals are distracted by eating while you are dressing them in their harnesses. This is also a good idea so that the oxen are full as they set out for a long day of work.

    • 5

      Put a sweat pad ox collar on each animal. These collars help protect the animal from excessive rubbing or chaffing from a leather collar throughout the work day.

    • 6

      Attach the harness and the supporting systems on to each ox. Place the harness on top of the sweat pad collar. Begin by connecting the tugs or traces into the hames. The hames are the wooden or iron projections that are a part of the harness. These allow the oxen to be hooked up to a plow or cart, as their purpose is to handle the strain and tension from the load the oxen are pulling. The hames harness should also have rings for the bridle, bit, halter and lower rings so the rods of a cart or plow can be connected to the hames.

    • 7

      Direct your oxen as they complete the tasks you need by guiding them with a lead rope in your left and a small rod in your right hand. Gently pull the oxen to the direction you need and give them the verbal directions of "giddup" for moving forward, "gee" to turn right, "haw" to turn left, "back" for reverse and "whoa" to stop. If necessary, give the work animals a gentle prod with the small wooden rod in your right hand. Be sure not to push them to hard.

    • 8

      Give your oxen rest breaks for food and water throughout the day, especially in hot weather. Hydrated, healthy animals will do the best work for you.