[ponyiq]

I agree and I guess farms hone people to do things built on tradition, just like seamen, firemen,military, farmers and horsemen all do things a tried and true way. There may be variations but generally, they do it because it has been tried and found a safe, efficient and effective means of doing something.

Just like cleaning gear, not my favorite horse chore although the older I get there is a peace to be found in it. I have tried all the new and improved lets make it easier... but when you consider my oldest saddle is a 30 years old and been cared for the same way, with old fashioned saddle soap, lots of elbow grease, and then oiled lightly, it works better than all the new stuff. My tack is soft and still in good condition years later.

Do not get me wrong, the integration of new into old ways is sometimes good, but new does not equal good, just new.

and i have milked goats and while milking is not fun, fresh goats milk is great for a dog that is sick or not thriving. I have had great luck adding goats milk to hood quality kibble( along with scraps)

I had an old breeder ( who learned in germany) of dachsunds , her dogs were some of the best in the country in the 50's-70's her dogs lived long lives, were healthy, had no whelping problems, no problems with temperment and just plain healthy. I had a dog that had been to three vets and one vet school and no one could solve the skin issues. The dog boarded with her for 9 weeks and got healthy. he was given purina dog chow, fresh goats milk, fresh goat meat three times a week and olive oil/ vinegar daily. His coat grew back, he gained weight, was able to go off of steroids,hot spots went away, itching stopped and no longer had loose stools. I learned a lot about old ways. I feed better kibble but i still add goats milk, i still feed fresh meat several times a week( never hamburger, all locally butchered meat)

You have to respect tradition. That is what Sig is about in my eyes, tradition, family, safety and turning a profit. He has a tremendous safety record and he makes money,so you have to figure something is working. Even family would not keep coming back for more if he were a real bully.

Nicole