For some a problem, for others opportunity. The genie isn't going back into the bottle.

When dad transitioned from horses and mules to tractor power it was a great step forward for him. He said he never minded the horses but hated dealing with the mules. He said they were stubborn and would kick the side of the barn out. Had to be careful and aware around the mules but they could be worked more constantly than the horses. I guess mules were a farming technology even before tractors.

As a young kid I observed two close by neighbors (one a distant cousin) that kept using horses. One never transitioned to tractors. The other did have a tractor and used it for plowing and other tillage (300 Farmall if I remember correctly) but planting and cultivating was still done with the horses. I marveled at them as I would ride by on my motorcycle (first one was a used 65 Honda). I still ride by both of those places regularly. They are both mostly houses or pasture right now.