365
Days in Horse Country – Draft Horse Competition
The draft horse breeds were originally developed to pull heavy
loads, which is something they have been doing for centuries. Although we now have motorized vehicles to do
this work, draft horses are still valued in some circles for their ability to
pull.
Draft horse pulling competitions can be found around the world, and they are designed to test the strength of these mighty equines. Each pull has its own rules. For example, a pull will have two weight classifications: Light Weight and Heavy Weight. Each team of working horses (usually a team of two, but sometimes one) is given two chances to pull a weighted sled 20 feet (6.1 m).
In the Heavy Weight division, the sled weight might begin at 3,400 pounds (1,542 kg) and increase by 2,000 pound (907 kg) increments, going as high as 10,000 pounds (4,535 kg) before a winning team is declared.
Horses pull these loads willingly and are not whipped or harmed in anyway in an attempt to get them to pull. To ensure the safety of the horses, most pulling clubs have rules on the humane treatment of horses.
Michael