The Awesome Background Of The Blue Heeler Cattle Dog 

When looking at the Blue Heeler dog, the most important thing to remember is where the breed originated. The answer to where Blue Heelers come from helps answer the question of why the Amish love the breed and the many uses of the Blue Heeler so much. The Blue Heeler originated in Australia in quite a fascinating way. The Blue Heeler was created by people traveling from England with their particular pure breeds of dogs to Australia and crossing the pure breed English dogs with the wild Dingo dogs found in Australia. This cross of the domesticated dogs with the wild Dingo gives the Blue Heeler its look and shape and its ability to live and work in harsh climates!!!

As we all know, Amish farmers often have large amounts of livestock on their farms. So the Amish are always in need of a good herding dog to help move livestock from one place to another. Amish farmers learned the Blue Heeler had breeding to do just that. The Blue Heeler, with its genes from the wild Dingoes mixed with purebred herding dogs that originated in England. This gave the Blue heeler the want to please their owner and perform a job such as herding.  But to also have the health and mental capabilities to withstand many different weather conditions and have the strength to move quickly and not tire while working all day.    

The Founding Fathers Of The Blue Heeler Breed

George Elliott of Queensland, Australia, around the 1840s, was the first to cross the Blue Merle Collie with the indigenous wild Dingo dogs found in Australia.  The first cross was successful, and many of the puppies from the crosses George Elliott made were excellent working and herding dogs, but Australia's cattle farmers wanted more. So from George Elliott's cross, two gentlemen, Jack and Harry Bagust, decided to add to the Blue Heeler cross George Elliott had made and mixed the Blue Heeler of that time with the Dalmatian coach breed of dogs. This was to help give the Blue Heeler a shorter, different color coat and more intelligence when dealing with humans and guarding property. Unfortunately, the downfall of the first crosses made by the Bagusts was that the first Blue Heelers crossed this way lost some of their working and herding abilities. 

Gaining the intelligence for companionship and guarding that was sought after by the cross of the Dalmatian and Blue Heeler. They then changed their focus to bring the herding genes back. They decided their Blue Heeler pups needed more breeding to produce a Blue Heeler that could do more in herding and gathering livestock. In addition, they wanted to install more working ability into their new Blue Heeler cross. So with their subsequent breeding, they used a Black and Tan Kelpie. The Black and Tan Kelpie is a small, short-haired dog found in Australia that was also used for herding and was developed originally to be a herding sheepdog. So the cross of the Black and Tan Kelpie and the Blue Heeler Dalmatian gave the Bagusts the Blue Heeler that we know and love.

The results of all this cross-breeding make the standard for the Australian Blue Heeler, with its short body resembling a Dingo with a thick and muscular frame but still slim in hind quarters. The coat and markings of the Dalmatian and Black and Tan Kelpie with its tick coat that is marked with patches on the chest and dark marks over and around the eyes and followed up with the intelligence and loyalty of the Dalmatian and the working herding drive of the Black and Tan Kelpie.

A final name to remember is Robert Kaleski regarding the Blue Heeler breed. Kaleski acquired the Blue Heelers of the late 1800s and continued to work on the Blue Heeler breed. He wanted to refine and help the Blue Heeler even more through more selective breeding to ensure that the Blue Heeler would NOT have as many red tick markings in its coat and to ensure that the Blue Heeler breed would be able to endure harsh climates, much like its ancestor the Dingo. He also wanted to ensure, through more extensive selective breeding, that all of the herding traits of the Blue Heeler would be expanded on to make the Blue Heeler a known name in the herding dog world. This need for greatness in herding was to ensure the breed was reliable enough to be recognized by the Kennel Clubs of Australia as a new pure breed of herding dog.   

So, keep in mind if you are interested in the Blue Heeler breed as a pet or for work. The Amish might have a pup for sale, or you might find a Blue Heeler elsewhere. But, remember, many times, the Blue Heeler will be called by different names depending on what area of the world you are in and due to the breed's many types of breeding compared to who is doing the talking about the breed. Below is a list of names to show some of the different names people in different parts of the world use to describe the Blue Heeler dog. 

Different Names For The Blue Heeler

• Australian Heeler
• Red Heeler (A Blue Heeler With a Different Coat Color - Redder)
• Australian Cattle Dog
• Queensland Heeler Dog
  
• Amish Heeler Dog
• Amish Blue Heeler Dog
• Amish Cattle Dog

Why Would The Amish Farmer Want To Promote The Blue Heeler Breed?

As you see from the background of the Blue Heeler, it is a great working dog. The Amish are known as hard-working people with excellent skills and knowledge regarding livestock and herd animals. It is not uncommon to see Blue Heeler dogs working in pairs around the Amish community and moving cattle, sheep, and goats from pasture to pasture, or separating the livestock herd to single out a particular animal for the farmer. The Amish are always up to something around their farms and businesses. This makes the Blue Heeler the dog of choice for the Amish due to its high energy level and desire to accomplish a task. With the Amish mindset and everyday problems you find around a working farm, the Amish can find many tasks besides herding for the Blue Heeler to help the Heeler use its energy for a greater purpose. Most Blue Heelers have many jobs around the farms. When asked if they train their dogs to work, one Amish man said.

"Amos is a good dog; we use him to help with the livestock, and he is the mouser on the farm. He is smart and understands what we say for him to do. He does a better job than the cats of getting the mice and rats out of the barn, and he lets us know every time someone comes up the driveway." (*edited for clarity and conciseness)

He further explained that his Blue Heeler was relatively easy to train. It was almost as if "Amos" knew what to do without teaching him anything!!! His love for helping with the livestock was evident; it could go weeks without moving the livestock or needing to separate the herd. Then when the time came around, the Blue Heeler picked right back up as if he herded each day. It is common to see  Amish children petting and playing with Blue Heeler puppies and giving commands to the puppies in Pennsylvania Dutch, and it is obvious the puppies understand. When the puppies are spoken to in English, they also respond. I have to say I was very impressed when I learned the Blue Heeler is so clever in intelligence that it can be bilingual.     

If you travel to Amish country many times, you will see the signs that explain what each Amish farm has to offer, and on those signs, you might see puppies for sale or free. So if you have decided that the Blue Heeler might be an excellent dog for you and your family, keep a few points in mind before getting a Blue Heeler as a pet or for a working dog. 

Points To Remember About The Blue Heeler Before You Buy

1. The Blue Heeler would most likely not be happy in an apartment due to its need to physically run out its large amounts of energy. A home with a large yard or farm would be the ideal setting. (Big open spaces)
2. The Blue Heeler is brilliant and will not do well in a setting left alone all day while the family is at work or school. (Keep in Mind: The Amish are farmers and are around their farm all day interacting with their dogs.)
3. If you have small children, Blue Heelers might NOT be the best breed for your family. (Keep in Mind: The Blue Heeler is a herding dog who will nip at your heels while playing, much like it herds livestock!) 
4. The Blue Heeler is a herding dog; if you have decided to purchase a Heeler for herding, find out the lineage. (Make sure to check with the Amish person you are purchasing from if the puppy's parents had good herding skills.) 
5. If you purchase a Blue Heeler puppy from the Amish, always ask if the puppy comes with registration papers. (The Amish MAY or MAY NOT have registered dogs.)
6. If you purchase a Blue Heeler from the Amish, ask about the puppy's vaccinations. (Many times, the Amish farmers will take care of all or some of the shots a young puppy requires.)
7. Blue Heelers generally have a lifespan of 13 to 15 years. (One of the oldest dogs ever reported to live was a Blue Heeler.)

Hopefully, the points above will help you if you decide to buy a Blue Heeler from the Amish as your next family friend. If you travel to Amish country to find an Amish Blue Heeler puppy make sure to NEVER go on Sunday. The Amish never work on Sundays; this includes selling a puppy. 

So What Could An Amish Bred Blue Heeler Be Trained To Do For You

Amish-bred Blue Heelers can also be used in sporting K9 events if you want fun and training for your new Amish-bred Blue Heeler puppy. K9 events such as agility, obedience, tracking, and rally are where the Blue Heeler excels. Another great K9 event would be water events for the Blue Heeler. This is due in part to the Blue Heelers double coat. The Blue Heeler was bred to have a coat that can repel rain and wetness from stormy weather conditions. Therefore, the first layer of hair found on the Blue Heeler is for repelling rain, and the second more dense layer of hair is to keep the Blue Heeler warm if they get wet in outside conditions. 

Also, another great thing to remember is if you have decided to find an Amish Blue Heeler puppy. When Blue Heeler puppies are born, whether their parents are the standard blue or red, all Blue Heeler puppies are born with a white coat, and their adult colors will not show up until they reach an older age in life. So taking a good look at the mother and father of your Amish Blue Heeler might indicate how your puppy will look when grown, especially if you have decided to enter your new Blue Heeler in any dog shows. But, viewing the parent animals should be fine on an Amish farm, and most Amish farmers are happy to show you any of their animals. 

If You Decide To Get An Amish Blue Heeler To Herd For You Or For Stock Dog Trials

The Amish usually use their Blue Heelers as herding and livestock working stock dogs, just what the Blue Heeler was bred for. So if you have decided to get an Amish-bred Blue Heeler to herd around your farm or are interested in stock herding events, the American Stock Dog Registry (ASDR) is a great place to start. This is one of the biggest names in stock herding events. Many Amish breeders use it as a register, like American Kennel Club (AKC), United Kennel Club (UKC), and Professional Kennel Club (PKC). When you visit the American Stock Dog Registry (ASDR), you can find all kinds of information about the requirements on what your new Amish Bred Blue Heelers would need to have to compete in stock herding events and where different events will be held. If you decide to start a new line of Blue Heeler dogs, ASDR can show the different kennel club registries it accepts and get you into the correct performance programs for your pup.  

If you're not really into paperwork, don't care about any type of herding events, and need a good dog around to help out on your farm, the Amish can usually help on this too. If you are not concerned about paperwork with your new Blue Heeler, the Amish can offer a much better price or give you a free Heeler puppy.  Suppose you decide to go and find a Blue Heeler puppy for just herding around your farm plan to go and spend some time with the Amish breeder and ask if they could show you the parent dogs working and moving livestock at the Amish farm. Keep in mind that when buying a puppy, especially a Blue Heeler, for herding, it's not always a guarantee that your puppy will be a great herder. Still, the chances are more likely if the parent dogs can herd well. Your puppy will usually have those abilities when it's grown. 

Hopefully, this information has helped you understand why the Amish love the Blue Heeler dog breed and might influence you to love Blue Heeler dogs. If you found this post insightful, please sign up for our newsletter to stay informed on everything going on at Amish of Ethridge to get our most up-to-date blog posts. Look for Amish of Ethridge on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. Thank you for reading this post, have a great day and an even better tomorrow. 

The Amish Have Great Dogs

For my readers that are not familiar with farm life, a good dog around the Amish farm or any farm for that matter, is useful in many ways. Take for instance the normal Amish farm, just about everyday the Amish do something with their livestock. That could be move cows from one field to another, or herd up sheep or goats. It could be that around a farm a predator shows up to make a meal of the family chickens!!! Then another farm problem that can be fixed by a dog, especially in the cold winter months are rats and mice. Its not uncommon in farm life to have rats come into the Barns or even try and move into your home when the weather drops to freezing temperatures.

 The Amish Love The Blue Heeler Dog

You have to look into the Blue Heeler dogs breeding to find out why the Amish love them so much. Coming from Australia the Blue Heeler was bred for its ability to move large herds of cattle quickly. Over the years the Blue Heeler was bred to "nip" at the heels of the lazy cows to get the herd on the move, so that farmers could round up their livestock when need be. Also, bred to have a since to chase small animals such as rats, rabbits, and snakes the Blue Heelers breeding is to be a very active type of dog. This active energy is also a plus on a farm where the work can start at daylight and not end until dark. Coming from Australia where the temperatures can get quiet hot in the summer months . The Amish found that the Blue Heeler made a great dog for their lifestyle because the Amish live with no electricity for air or heat and spend a great deal of time out in the elements. The Blue Heeler was breed to work and live in any condition, so it makes them a great dog for farm life. Lastly, when you have a large farm that does many side businesses such as tack shops, produce markets, and sawmills much as the Amish farms all do. The Amish needed a dog that would keep a watchful eye over their property and give a good bark when a stranger is about. The Amish found that a farm especially one that has many young children around heavy machinery needed a nanny type of dog. The Blue Heeler was found to be quiet useful in areas with children. The Heeler with its extremally good hearing and keen since of watchfulness is also great for keeping small children out of harms way!!! 

Looking into the appearance of the Blue Heeler the Amish found that the Heelers coat is perfect for their work with livestock. Because of the Blue Heelers coat with its double nature, and its ability to help the dog traverse rough terrain filled with briars and brambles. The Amish still use the Heeler as a working cattle dog in fields that in the summer months can be very hard to navigate due to harsh overgrowth of plants and weeds. Small in size the Blue Heeler is also not a dog that will eat you out of house and home. Much as on any farm the Amish are always concerned on what it cost to keep everything on their farms fed and full, and the Blue Heeler is no different. Only weighing 33-35  pounds for male heelers and 31-35 pounds for females, the Blue Heeler dog is not expensive to feed.  Small also in size the typical Blue Heeler stands between 17- 20 inches depending on the gender and breeding of the dog. Which makes the  Heeler ideal for a dog that comes inside the Amish home, or can be found laying around an Amish shop when not working.  

Is A Blue Heeler The Right Dog For Everyone, How About Feist

Even when it comes to the Amish a Blue Heeler might NOT be the right dog to fit their needs. The Amish also have a great love for many different breeds of dogs. 

"While doing some research for this blog I found that even for the Amish, the Blue Heeler might not be their dog of choice. Not all Amish farms have a large heard of cattle or sheep and many Amish people don't want or own a Blue Heeler because it does not fit their needs and wants. The Amish gentleman I spoke with, owned the Feist in the picture above and was quiet pleased with his Feist dogs ability to watch over the family farm and help put food on his table."                                                                                                            Crockett Cooner  

So you might be asking yourself since the Amish sale different breeds of puppies such as Blue Heeler and Feist, do you think you might be in the market for a new fur baby to add to your home? Remember that the Blue Heeler and the Feist are great dogs for people with a very outdoor type of lifestyle such as jogging, camping, and working outside. The Amish use their dogs many times as a daily working member of the family. So, if you have decided you might be interested in a working breed of dog. Keep in mind the working breeds have  lots of energy and needs a home with a large back yard to explore and to run out its energy for at least two hours daily. If you are an apartment dweller or work long hours away from home the working breeds may not be what you are after in a dog. When left alone the working breeds of dogs can become destructive because of their intelligence level and their high levels of separation anxiety!!! 

But, if you live a lifestyle that is always on the go and you find yourself being outdoors more than in and are in need of a good dog,  the working breeds might be something to check into. Usually the Amish do sale puppies and if your in the market for a great dog for work or play the Amish usually can sale you a puppy, or start you on the right path to find a puppy. Another  point to remember about owning a working dog such as Blue Heeler, Feist, and well all working dogs. Is that the Amish deal with livestock and livestock working dogs daily. That lifestyle is somewhat hard and rough in nature and does not leaned to a lot of time for error, especially in dog training. The working dog is rewarded by a person that can establish themselves as the Alpha of the pack. If you are into training a dog that is super intelligent and it is rewarded by figuring out problems that where given to them by a strong assertive person, then the working breeds of dogs would be a perfect fit for you. 

Points To Remember About Amish  Puppies When Buying One

• The Amish usually charge a reasonable price for their puppies, but they only except cash
• The puppies may or may NOT have papers
• The puppies from the Amish may need their vaccinations, so a vet visit is in order after buying
• Depending on the breeding of the puppy if  you intend on using your dog for (working/herding) etc. spend time with the Amish to make sure your pup comes form a working line of dogs

Other Dog Breeds The Amish Sale And Own

If you have checked out this post and decided that the working breeds are great dogs, but not the dogs for you. You might be asking yourself what other dog breeds do the Amish prefer and why? Now just like us "English" folks the Amish have many different types and breeds of dogs ranging for pure breeds to just plain old mutts. A few other breeds of dogs from the Amish that you might want to check out are the bulldog breeds. I've seen so many signs for English Bull Dogs for sale at the Amish community, I'm still amazed by that! Not to mention if you in the market for a Great Pyrenees or any type of livestock dog, just a drive through our Amish community could yield some good results.  But what has impressed the old  Crockett Cooner here the most is the signs at the Amish community that just says" puppies for sale" usually meaning that there is a mixed litter of puppies the Amish are needing to find homes for, which I have to say can make a great pets. 

A Check List For Readers Interested In Getting A Dog From The Amish

1. Understand the dog breed you are planning on buying from the Amish, do research online on what to expect with your new breed of dog.
2. Ask the Amish questions before buying your new four legged friend such as, can you see the mother (Dam) and father (Sire) of the new puppies? 
3. Make sure to take a good look around Amish country, in our area before choosing the first puppy you see. Remember the only advertisements the Amish use are signs, bulletin boards, and word of mouth. There are many different Amish families in our community with different breeds of dogs. 
4. Ask the Amish owners what type of food they have been feeding your new puppy, has the puppy been fed dog food or table scraps.

Where To Take Your Four Legged Friends

Now if you have decided you are in the market for a new dog, and you want to come to Amish county in my area to look for a new pet. I have a few suggestions for you on where to stay that is pet friendly, and places for active pets. If you have decided to come to our area and are need of a nights lodging. The Richland, Villa Inn is pet friendly and usually has no problem with finding a room to fit your needs. Also, if camping and RV's are right down your alley I would suggest David Crockett State Park, Located in Lawrenceburg Tennessee. Near by the Crockett Park restaurant located in the park there is an area sat aside just for dogs, but be sure to bring a leash. Lastly, if your like the ol' Cooner here and have four legged friends that have lost of energy and like to explore. Make sure to check out Mitzi L. Sweet Memorial Dog Park Located at 830 Gaither Ave, Lawrenceburg Tennessee. 

Thank you all for taking time to check out this post, I hope you all have a little more information on dogs found at the Amish community. Make sure and leave us a comment down below, we would love to hear everyone's ideas. Also, if you would like to see more great post and keep up with everything going on here at The Amish Of Ethridge please feel free to subscribe to our news letter, we don't sale information. Make sure to check out the rest of our site here and check out our other websites. Don't forget to check out The Amish Of Ethridge at our Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.  Thank you all again for reading and have a great day and a pleasant tomorrow. 

Faq

So what is Amish milk and what do the Amish farmers make from it? Do the Amish drink raw milk without it causing health problems? Is raw Amish milk any different than pasteurized milk from the local store? I know that everyone has heard of drinking unpasteurized milk or maybe even drank it. But, did you know the Amish drink unpasteurized milk everyday!!!

* We are not recommending that you consume raw  unpasteurized or "pet milk" directly from the cows, goats or any animal. We are just talking about what the Amish do for themselves* 

The Crockett Cooner here again at The Amish of Ethridge, I've done a little research on Amish milk and here is the cream that floated to the top... 

What Is Unpasteurized Milk

Points To Remember About Raw Unpasteurized Milk

• Raw warm milk will only last a few hours before bacteria becomes present
• Raw milk can  have pathogens present in it
• Old types of stone milk rooms don't always have a regulated temperature 
• Raw milk that has been boiled is NOT the  same as pasteurized milk

What Breeds Of Cows Do The Amish Milk

 When you think Amish dairy cow the Holstein cow comes to mind for most. You know the black and white cows that most people associate with milk. How ever have you ever seen the Brown Swiss dairy cow found on many Amish farms? Usually with the different breeds of dairy cows you will find different amounts of fats and proteins in the milk. So you might ask, what are the possible breeds of dairy cattle found in any Amish heard? There are usually five different breeds of dairy cows the Amish could be milking at any time, those are Ayrshire, Brown Swiss, Guernsey, Holstein, Jersey. Now consider this, each breed of cow gives different amounts of fats and proteins in their milk. So, you can only imagine how the amounts of fats and proteins might change with a heard consisting of different breeds, when the milk is mixed together!!! Now with a mixed heard of cattle the Amish usually get a rich in flavor thick raw butter type of milk!!! 

The Products The Amish Make From Unpasteurized Rich Thick Raw Milk And Why 

One of the most talked about products made by the Amish with unpasteurized milk is cheese. The old myth of making cheese in this fashion is that when leaving the milk unpasteurized the cheese produced will be unique in flavor and NOT able to be copied by other farms. So, when the cheese is made the internal microflora found in the cheese will give the cheese a more full rich flavor. So certain types of unpasteurized cheeses made by the Amish are Brie, Camembert, and many Mexican types of cheeses are made by the Amish mixed with the peppers the Amish grow such as Queso Fresco and Panela.

Other products you might not know that is made by the Amish with unpasteurized milk is Yogurt. The normal plain and vanilla flavors of yogurts are made by the Amish. But, because of the large gardens and orchards the Amish have, they also make many varieties of fruit and berry flavored yogurts.  The benefits the Amish believe they get from using unpasteurized milk is, the yogurt still has all of the fats, enzymes, vitamins, and linoleic acid.  Another product the Amish make with raw milk is pudding. The pudding made with raw milk is "supposed" to give more flavor and be thicker than pudding made with pasteurized milk.

 Did I mention the butter the Amish make?  The Amish use a recipes that calls for raw milk in butter because in the process of making butter in this way the cream will rise to the top of the milk and cause a separation.  You can start the butter making process with cream that is then skimmed from the top of the raw milk, after the milk has set of a while after being collect in the churns. Now this brings about an interesting idea what if the Amish decide not to use milk from their cows that is unpasteurized. This is where the Amish use unhomogenized milk bought from a local store. Homogenized milk is milk that has had air pumped through it to break up the fat particles so the cream stays mixed into the milk instead of rising to the top. So in the Amish way of making butter it would be better for the cream to separate.   

What Is Bad About Unpasteurized Milk

Now that I've written about what can be made with raw milk, I feel it is only fitting to mention the health problems that can come from products made with unpasteurized milk. When bad bacteria is present in unpasteurized milk bacteria such as Brucella, Listeria, Salmonella, E Coli, Cryptosporidium, and Campylobacter are present. When spoiled or unpasteurized milk is consumed by humans with these types of bacteria. The human body can have symptoms that last many days these symptoms are diarrhea, stomach cramping, and vomiting in the best cases... In the worst cases victims consuming raw milk with bad bacteria can have stroke and kidney failure, as a result of hemolytic uremic syndrome,  and paralysis from Guillain Barre syndrome, then in the worst case death!!!

"A little personal experience from the Cooner on drinking unpasteurized milk and eating milk products that have NOT been pasteurized. I've personally tried raw milk straight from the cow!!! I have to saw I don't care for the taste, in my opinion. It left a thick unpleasant taste that smelled the way sour spoiled milk smells, in my mouth!!!"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Crockett Cooner

A Guide To Visiting A Creamery Or Dairy

1. You will need to locate a dairy or creamery that gives tours? A great example is Flowers Creamery located in Ethridge Tennessee. Not only will you see the entire dairy process, you can buy dairy products that are pasteurized fresh and delicious, from the cows you see on your tour. If you chose a visit a different dairy and buy products, make sure to see if their products as pasteurized and safe for consumption.
2. Make sure if you are planning  a large group to visit the dairy or just a few people, you express that to the owner. Many times dairy cattle don't like to be disturbed by strangers in the milking process, the visit needs to be at the correct time of day to not inhibit milking. 
3. Make sure to dress and wear the correct clothing and shoes when visiting a dairy. After all if you are viewing the cows and where they are housed it floor can have droppings and weather temperatures and conditions play a role for a great visit.
4. Lastly, if you are buying dairy products and have a long commute home make sure to bring a cooler or have a way to keep your products cold for your trip home.

Do You Love Horses and Horse Related Things

Have you decided to get into horses or maybe you are already a horse lover and owner and are looking for a new saddle horse to ride. Could it be you are environmentally friendly and are in search for a good team of horses for skidding logs or to pull a plow for a garden. Maybe you love horses but are in need of a master horseman to break or shoe a horse for you, because you just don't have the time!!! Well if any of these topics spark your interest in the world of equine. I have to ask have you thought about looking into the Amish communities to see what they have to offer? The Crockett Cooner is here again at The Amish Of Ethridge, and I've done some looking into the world of horses in the Amish culture, and this is what trotted up!!! 

The Amish Know Their Way Around A Horse

Now I know in times past there has been some negative press on how the Amish treat and view livestock, especially horses. But, as a person that lives close to a large Amish community and a person that interacts with the Amish all the time. I would like to say first and foremost that this is NOT always true. Many different times I've spoke with members of the Amish community here and they really are animal lovers, not to mention have a in depth knowledge on everything horse related. But, just like anyone else the Amish communities are know different, from any other cultures or communities. There are good and bad people in any community, but it only takes one bad apple to spoil the rest!  

Do You Have The Time To Find A Horse

With word of mouth being a big part of the Amish communities usually a ride through Amish country, and stopping and asking a few Amish farmers, will produce good results or leads on the type horse you want and which Amish family has a horse for sale. Also, keep in mind if the first Amish home you stop at doesn't have any horse information, don't give up and keep and eye out for signs in Amish county that show what each Amish home has for sale. When you find the right Amish home your horse needs and questions can usually be met. 

A Good Ordered List For The Readers That Have Decided To Buy A Horse From An Amish Horseman

1. Decide before you go to Amish country on the breed of horse you want to buy.
2. Do your research at local livestock auctions and on the internet for the Amish Horseman that might have the breed of horse you want to buy. Many times "English"  friends and neighbors of Amish farmers will share information on livestock sales in different areas, for the Amish.
3. When you set out to buy your new horse, go to Amish country prepared. I suggest take your livestock trailer with you and plan on taking cash money or personal check.
4. (Very Important) Make sure to plan your arrival to do a little horse trading at the right time of day. My suggestion would be Monday-Friday sometime after lunch, around 1P.M. The Amish are very busy on Saturday with other businesses they own and the Amish do NO work on Sunday.  

So Why A Amish Horse Farrier

A horse farrier is a person who shoes all types of equine. For a closer look at what a horse farrier does check out this link Horse Farrier but, you might be asking yourself why use a Amish horse farrier? As a person that lives near a large Amish community, and having a back ground in horses myself. I would much rather trust any equines hoof to a person that day in and day out for the biggest part of their life have worked with horses and know the health concerns for a horse. For anyone that has a background or knowledge in horses you will know that a horse shoe is important to keep the hoof from wearing down to quickly. Not to mention that if the inner "frog" of the hoof is very sensitive and needs to be cared for by a person with experience.  Much like a humans fingernail when any type of equine, is walking a lot especially with riders  on different hard surfaces. The frog can become injured if the shoes are incorrect and in turn cause health problems to your horse, such as becoming foundered. 

Now the Amish are born into a lifestyle that requires a horse to be their form of transportation, how they make their income at times, and their source of power to eat. With all of this exposure to horses the Amish fully understand what makes a good horse for any type of need and how to keep our four legged friends healthy.  Did I mention that the Amish sometimes sale health supplies and feed for horses. The Amish seem to have everything from Mane and Tail Brushes , Shedding Blades, to Hoof picks. Not to mention the Amish often make their own Alfalfa pellets and beet pulp for a added source of fiber when hay can't be found, that they often times sale to the general public.

How Do The Amish Train Horses

Now horse training by the Amish is really a part of this Blog that is left up to interpretation or need of the specific horse or horse breed. Much like people horses have very different personalities, and needs and the Amish horsemen are aware of this. I have seen MANY different methods of training used by the Amish for horses over the years. Everything from taking a 18 month old saddle horse and starting the breaking process. To using the weight of a younger Amish kid on a younger horse to  ensure the horse is becoming comfortable with people, and the breaking process. Not to mention that the Amish will use Lunging techniques to help develop response of the horse to ensure training and break bad habits. Now if your not after a saddle horse and want a draft style of horse the Amish really excel in this area. With plenty of farm work the Amish will train work horses for just about any type of work. From log pulling to breaking ground to working in a large teams, the Amish have been know to train work horses for some very high end carriage riding companies.  

But, lets stop for a second and look into horse training of a aggressive horse, by the Amish. Many people believe that with a aggressive horse you need to assert dominance in a horses mind. Then other people believe that training an aggressive horse should be done with care and patience over time.  No matter what your idea of training is, the Amish will have a trainer that can meet your needs and wants in training.  It is a must that you sit and talk with the Amish trainer and they are usually happy to explain their training methods. So your horse ends up being trained to your expectations and with your ideas of care.

Lets say you might want to train other types of equine such as mules, donkeys, mini horses, or heck even zebras for any different number of jobs. The Amish also train these types of equine breeds for many different jobs.

 "In years past I've personally seen the Amish train mini horses to pull small wagons, mules to pull logs and plows, and a zebra to ride"           

 Crockett Cooner 

Just about any type of livestock the Amish have the ability to train, if you can find the right Amish trainer. You might just be surprised as to what the Amish can tell you about your new four legged friend you might not be aware of. But, you can be assured if you decided to use an Amish horseman to train any of your equine that the trainer will spend countless hours training with the animal.  

Other Things Horse Lovers Will Like About The Amish

I have mentioned before on many Blog post that the Amish are superior craftsman in leather. From their handmade saddle blankets and saddles to riding crops and halters. But!!! I found a very interesting part of horse attire that even the Cooner did not know the Amish make. I found recently that the Amish make bits for horses. Everything from correction bits, gag bits, Tom Thumb, basically an assortment of all different types of snaffle bits and ports with bit guards and without. And for riders that worry about using a bit or you barrel racers out their reading this blog. I saw quiet a few hackamores and side pulls, for those horses with a sensitive mouth and ears. 

Also, in my many travels to Amish country I found that the Amish also will make custom buggies and wagons that come in a much flasher styles than what they ride in. From Western style wagons to Hansom Cab the Amish seem to make and repair them all. So, if you are in need of a period correct horse drawn type of carriage the Amish can help you out! Not to mention the Amish also repair and buy horse drawn equipment such a breaking plows, hay rakes, and single bar hay mowers. So if you have decided to sale that old hay rake that has become yard art, check with the Amish and they might buy and recondition it, or sale you that piece of  horse drawn equipment you have been looking for.

 Sadly this Blog post has come to an end I hope I have shared some information that will help you. Hopefully this post will give you some new ideas on different options for you horse lovers, that are in need of a good Amish horseman to train and care for your next horse. Thank you all for reading and please subscribe to our news letter, leave us a comment below, we love all reviews. Make sure to take a look at our other Blog post and our other websites. IF!!! you get  a free second please check us out at the Amish of Ethridge on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram, have a great and wonderful day.