oxen

Oxen are domesticated bovines trained as draft animals. They are usually castrated male cattle, though in some contexts a castrated female can also be classified as oxen. Oxen are valued for their strength and docile temperaments, and they have been used for centuries to plow fields, pull carts and wagons, and haul logs and other heavy loads. The training begins when calves are old enough to be yoked; a team typically consists of two oxen working in tandem under a yoke.

Oxen are derived from the species Bos taurus. The term "ox" is used for working animals, not for breeding stock; hence breeding bulls are not oxen. Historically, oxen were essential for agriculture in many regions before mechanized farming. Different cultures used oxen in various contexts: in Europe and the Middle East for plowing and transport; in parts of Asia for rice paddies; and in Africa for farming and logging.

With mechanization in the 19th and 20th centuries, many regions reduced reliance on oxen, but they remain in use in small farms, in hill country, and where fuel or electricity is scarce. Welfare considerations emphasize humane training, appropriate nutrition, regular veterinary care, and proper working limits.

See also: draft animal, yoke, cattle.