The Low-Tech Times

The Low-Tech Times previously covered a story on farmers turning to mules instead of tractors during these times of record high gas prices. Now, Shannon Kettler of the Kentucky Post reports that some students are riding horses to school instead of driving:

With gas prices at almost $4 a gallon, many are looking for cheaper ways to get around town.

Three Conner High students are avoiding the pain at the pump, by riding horseback to school.

My wife and I watched the 140th running of the Belmont Stakes yesterday on free tv. We were expecting to watch Big Brown win the race and become the first horse to capture the triple crown in 30 years.

As the horses approached the gates, I noticed the jersey Big Brown’s jockey was wearing. I thought the UPS sponsorship of Big Brown was clever given the UPS company slogan, “What can brown do for you?”

However, Big Brown never surged to take the lead as was expected. Da’ Tara, a 38 to 1 long shot, led the race from start to finish. It was a good example of why spectator sports are exciting; you never know what might happen.

The Drudge Report featured some interesting links today, including one providing the title of this post.

After The Low-Tech Times covered a story speculating that farmers may switch from tractors to horses if gas prices continue to rise, Breitbart.com reports that some farmers in Tennessee are now turning to mules:

MCMINNVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - High gas prices have driven a Warren County farmer and his sons to hitch a tractor rake to a pair of mules to gather hay from their fields. T.R. Raymond bought Dolly and Molly at the Dixon mule sale last year. Son Danny Raymond trained them and also modified the tractor rake so the mules could pull it. T.R. Raymond says the mules are slower than a petroleum-powered tractor, but there are benefits.

“This fuel’s so high, you can’t afford it,” he said. “We can feed these mules cheaper than we can buy fuel. That’s the truth.”

Additionally, in a related human-powered story, Jeffrey Collins of the Associated Press reports that police officers are now spending more time outside of their police cruisers due to high fuel prices:

NEWBERRY, S.C. (AP) - With gasoline climbing toward $4 a gallon, police officers around the country are losing the right to take their patrol cars home and are being forced to double up in cruisers and walk the beat more.

Will we see more even human-powered and animal-powered activities in the wake of record high oil prices? Will gas prices continue to rise sharply or will there be some relief?