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Teamster Terminology

(Source: UNH Cooperative Extention’s 4-H Working Steer Manual)

Backchain - backchaining occurs when a steer backs over the chain or drag during a workout. This is a bad habit, which should be corrected immediately.

Back-Gee -  much like “Gee off”, but teamster moves in a circle with team. Team’s back feet remain in same place while moving front end to the right.

Back-Haw -  much like “Haw to”, but teamster moves in a circle with team. Team’s back feet remain in same place while moving front end to the left.

Back up step - command used in conjuncture with steer name to back him up one step. Helpful in hitching/unhitching to cart or drag.

Bloated -  animals’ belly swells up. May result from increased water intake or illness. Contact veterinarian if condition persists.

Castration - surgical procedure to remove or render useless the testicles of a male animal.

Come up step - command to make team move forward one step. Helpful unhitching/unhitching to cart of drag. (May be used instead of “giddup step”.)

Draft -  many New England teamsters refer to draft as the angle of the chain from the bottom of a yoke to the stone boat.

Drag - anything that you can pull behind your team, typically attached to yoke with a chain.

Easy -  command used to slow team from walking/pulling too fast. Used much like the “whoa” command, without actually stopping.

Fitting - term used to describe how a show-person has prepared animals for show. Fitting refers to condition (weight) of animal, cleanliness, properly trimmed hooves, clipping, etc

Gaunt -  thin appearance of animal resulting from decreased feed/water intake. May occur in new environments (such as fairs), but veterinarian should be contacted if condition persists.

Gee off - command where team sidesteps away from teamster. Helpful in working with cart or drag to reduce rubbing against pole or chain.

Goad Stick -- wooden stick (less than 4 long) used to gently tap/touch steer to encourage proper movement.

Haw to - command where team sidesteps towards teamster. Helpful in working with cart or drag to reduce rubbing against chain or pole.

Head up -  command used to make steers pick their heads up if they are eating grass or otherwise. Tap the underside of their chin while saying the command.

Heartwood - usually a dark circle of wood from the middle of the tree, weaker than white wood and unsatisfactory for neckpiece wood.

Matched -  a team that is of the same breed, color pattern, size and bone structure and also work well together.

Mated - a team placed together based on working capabilities. Do not have to be of the same breed or color, but should be relatively close in size and work well together

Nigh -  steer closest to teamster when yoked.

Off -  steer farthest from teamster when yoked.

Polled - animals bred and born without horns. Do not make a desirable team.

Roan - body color that consists of a mix of white and other color hair, giving the steer a mottled color.

Step in - command preceding or following steer’s name, used to make steer step in closer to the pole or chain. Usually used before starling to pull a load to ensure the safety of team. (May also use “put in” or “stand in”).

Step out -  command preceding or following steers’ name, used to make steer step away from pole or chain. Usually used while hitching or turning a load. (May also use “put out” or “stand out”).

Stone Boat -  a small, flat sled developed for moving stones. Usually 3-3 1/2 feet wide and 6-8 feet long and made of 2-inch hardwood planks.

Umbilical Hernia -  a muscle tear in the abdomen at the site of the umbilical cord, just under the skin, allowing part of the stomach or intestines to bulge out of the abdomen. A serious prob­lem that requires surgery