Fiona,
One issue that complicates using modern reference skeletons of oxen is that there is a signifcant size difference between breeds. While I don't have any metrical data to back this up, just from visual examination of the live animals, modern adult beef oxen are very similarly sized to modern adult dairy bulls, while dairy oxen can be quite a bit larger. This clearly also depends on the dairy breed - while I have never actually seen a Jersey ox, I would assume that they would be significantly smaller than a Holstein-Frieisan ox (which is the dairy breed you'll likely find any reference skeletons from, as they, or Holstein crosses, are the primary breed used in modern pulling competitions).
Sorry I couldn't help you out more, but just wanted to bring up some issues with modern reference collections.
All the best,
Jim
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