Do you not agree....they are beautiful. This past Saturday, after reading an article in the local newspaper, I decided to attend the event. After all, it was listed as "free" with hamburgers and drinks being served.
I love horses. Naturally the news article, with headlines of "Plow Through History" caught my eye. The event, held each year, is call Texas Draft Horse and Mule Association Harvest and Plow Day.
How is that for directions? It was on a road I had not traveled before. And even though it was in the same county that I live, the event was almost 45 miles away. When I turned off the main road, I almost gave up and turned back.
Finally, I saw the sign.....
and the entrance gate to the farm!
I can't express how excited I became. There were about 10 to 12 teams of draft horses pulling vintage farm implements for plowing, discing and mowing.
How often do you get the opportunity to see past history in action? Take a close look at those boots.
Would you believe they belong to a woman? Yes, she drove a team of four beautiful Belgian Draft Horses, riding this vintage disc. Her team of horses are featured in the first photo.
In talking with her mother, I found out they are training them for another owner. Her mother said the horses are about 5 years old and still growing.
To give you some idea how tall the horses are, this young woman is about 5' 6".
There was one team of beautiful mules. I thought this photo deserved a title....something must have gotten their attention for both to be looking in the same direction....maybe it was time for lunch!
One minor accident occurred, which only proves how dangerous it might have been for a farmer to be in the fields by himself. This was a time before cell phones!
It was a very hot day with strong winds blowing. But the video was still worth sharing with you. I ended up taking about 100 photos....too many for one post.
My only regret was not doing my homework before attending the event. It was only after, that I started some research on draft horses. I was able to identify two breeds as Percheron and Belgians. Please click HERE to read more about the Belgian Draft Horse.
Are they not magnificent animals?
Meggie Mac
I love horses too and these are MAGNIFICENT! Thank you for the history lesson and sharing these photos. I would have gone even if they didn't have "veggie" burgers with you, XOXO
ReplyDeleteThis is the kind of event I would have loved for you to come along. I had no idea what to expect when I left home. It was a true adventure!
ReplyDeleteThey are beautiful creatures Meggie.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading about them, I now know they are extremely gentle.
DeleteWhat a brilliant combination - huge, powerful horses and vintage farm machinery. Of course the horses are what I love the most, but it is wonderful to see them in harness and working the old farm machinery. Staggering to think of the hours spent grooming them before the event. The mules are a delight!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad I kept driving until I found the event. It was really way back off the road. I was so impressed with each team. As you said, "the hours spent grooming them". I would love to ride one!
DeleteIts lovely to see the horses working like this. I'm also impressed with the way the pairs are so similar in their colouring and marking. Jx
ReplyDeleteHello Jan....I'm sure, when purchasing them, that is what they look for. Every team was well paired in color and size.
DeleteI too think draft horses look magnificent .They look,and the ones I "met" are ,powerful and friendly. I grew up in a little village, our neighbour had a farm. And there were places in his pastures were he couldn't go with his tractor because it could be to wet (you know, our Netherlands under sea level, and rainy weather) and than he had to use his horse. The other times the horse was just standing in the pasture, and we could ride upon him .It was such fun, the horse,named Barry, waiting patient, we climbed upon him,and than he ran off. All without a saddle and so. The horse liked it too. Once I felt of,the horse stopped and waited for me to climb up again,and of he went. From a province of Holland, Friesland, comes a breed called Friese paarden. They are a beautiful black breed. See them working, pulling carriages, is a real delight. You can google them. Groetjes,Gerda
ReplyDeleteOh Gerda....thank you for the lovely story. I will do some research tonight, on the Friese Paarden. Lucky you for having the pleasure of riding one....they are so gentle.
DeleteThey are such beautiful animals. Glad to see they are being appreciated!
ReplyDeleteIt was very obvious the horses are well cared for and well loved.
DeleteWhat an interesting event! I would have enjoyed it too.
ReplyDeleteWell, Ms Sparrow....there is always next year! There are so many events going on this time of year, I must decide each week end which one I will attend. The day after, I went to a Czech Festival. You probably would have enjoyed that too!
DeleteFantastic animals! Very handsome!
ReplyDeleteHandsome is a good word to describe the draft horse! Thanks for your comment...
DeleteThose horses are beautiful, I especially like the ones in the last photo. Thank you for your comment, I hope you enjoy your visit to Scotland, it will be cool for you I think - looks very hot where you are!
ReplyDeleteWhat magnificent horses, and what a treat to see. I see from the above comment you are visiting Scotland, how lovely, you will fall in love with it. I'm a teeny bit envious, I must try and get up there again soon. x
ReplyDeleteWhat a great thing to see. I've seen it once when I was a boy at an agricultural fair - it always struck me that ploughing competitions were a sly way for a farmer to get his field ploughed by somebody else.
ReplyDeleteMy grandfather used to plough using horses - I think it was after the war before he got a tractor.
Just stumbled on this blog - thank you for coming to our event and for all the sweet comments! We do have the event every year, as well as other events around the state. You can find us on Facebook to get a listing of our events or get reminders of the upcoming events. With hope and heart, Kathleen
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