Quirky Finance : Horse Power making a comeback
With high gas prices, an emerging trend developing in rural areas is to go back to using the old fashioned 'Horse and Cart' as a mode of transport within farms and to nearby town centers. With gas prices set to trend upwards in the long term, horses, made redundant by the motor car a century ago - may come back into their own as a source of transport and power. Reports from around the world in Australia to the US shows that this mode of transport is being taken more and more seriously in rural farming areas. The savings are real and horses provide a cost effective renewable source of transporation power. An Australian university study has shown that "for small farm acreages, using horses is more profitable than tractors, and in Europe, where holdings are smaller, some farmers have already made the switch."
While this trend is currently only occurring in rural areas, it may one day manifest it self in metro areas if gas prices climb to $6 plus. Who knows the horse and carriage may make a comeback after all (other than in NYC park).
Quirky finance is an ongoing series looking at the less serious side of personal finance.
Picture courtest Eliya
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July 23, 2008 2:47 PM
Too Funny. Whos going to be responsible for the clean up?
July 23, 2008 9:09 PM
That's a cool development. I've read that a similar trend will be happening with the railways, since there are different ways the trains can be powered.
But what's up with the recent low oil prices anyway?
July 23, 2008 10:33 PM
Thanks Jerry. Cleanup will be left to the government as part of their Energy policy!
MoneyEnergy - Railways? Hmmm...that's another twist I never thought of.
On a more serious note, lower oil prices are a reflection of a slower global economy and a switch to financials. I am actually looking to buy oil in this dip as I believe oil will rise again.
July 24, 2008 9:10 AM
It certainly helps when last week the president lifted the executive order on drilling (although that act effectively means nothing without congressional consent.) In the oil speculation market, pronouncements like this, for better OR worse can have an effect.
Also, reports said that US consumption was down three percent for the first quarter of this year, which is really unheard of. Not that it matters, what we don't use, China and India will be glad to gulp down.
October 28, 2008 9:42 PM
Probably a good idea. But I know that fuel price will be back since car manufacturers are getting there hands dirty in developing hybrid cars. Meaning the demand on fuel will cost less.