Energetic Equine

It was horses like these that spurred the dramatic growth of agriculture in America. In the early 1800's, it was oxen that plowed the fields of a young nation. But a growing population demanded bigger farms. And new equipment demanded more pulling power. So big, steady European draft horses made their way to America's shores. Bob Lewis says, "They call these horses cold blooded because they're not high strung and hot like a thoroughbred would be. You see how thick they are in muscle. And this is to do their work. They are very, very muscular and thick." Bob is one of many enthusiasts who breed and raise a variety of draft horses. Occasions like "Plow Day" in Tolar, Texas are a chance to see these "gentle giants" in action. These members of the Texas Draft Horse and Mule Association have gathered to work their "Heavy horses" and mules on the open fields of the Texas Landscape. Many of the group's members keep Clydesdales, Belgians, Percherons and Suffolks on their farms or ranches. But many here are city folks who've traveled hundreds of miles to enjoy the spectacle of huge horses turning the earth.

Draft horses originated in Central Europe and were domesticated well before Roman Times. And they're big...some of them very big. On average a draft horse can weigh around 2000 pounds and stand from 6 to 7 feet tall at their shoulder blades.

Rodney Read has been breeding Suffolks for more than 30 years. Suffolks were first imported from England in the 1880's and bred exclusively for farming. Read's herd in Ledbetter, Texas, consist of mares and a handful of stallions- producing about eight foals each year. Rodney says, "So basically this is my younger herd. They're all under 10 years of age. That group over there they're over 15 and older. Some of them are right at 20, 21. There's several people in the state of Texas that make a good living off of their draft horses, pay their farm bills and everything else. They don't have to make that three to 4000 dollar a month payment on a tractor, and a bailer, and all of that other stuff like some of us have to." Rodney has long been involved in the Texas Draft Horse Association. He sees events like "Plow Day" as important to preserving the legacy of America's farming past as well as a reminder of the diligence and efficiencies of these animals. Rodney says, "Horses and oxen have been the backbone of this country. And if things don't change in the next couple of years, it'll probably start being the backbone again."

Plow Day could well be described as a "living and working museum" with antique American farm equipment tilling the Lone Star soil. But the real stars of the show are the draft horses. It's an opportunity for spectators to witness what these Percherons, Shires and Belgians were bred to do. Another equine in these "Plow Day" events is a first cousin to the horse. Long eared and large mules have been used in farming for decades. Bob says, "Now a mule is the product of a mare and a jack. And they're a hybrid, and extremely smart. You can't believe how smart these animals are."

"Plow Day" is more than just an exhibition. Bob's fields are being prepared for planting. After plowing is complete, a team pulls an antique grain drill that broadcasts seeds that will eventually grow to become feed for the animals. Mike Bertino from Panther Branch Farm says, "It takes about. to get through a winter it'll take fifty six-foot round bales, weighing about 1200 to 1500 pounds apiece, and it'll take 200 to 300 square bales to feed approximately fifteen draft horses and draft mules." After a day of in the fields, they hang up the harness for a barbecue. Rodney says, "It's just a way to get to know one another. I guess no different why some people go golfing and some people go boating. We just go draft horsing." It may seem an unusual hobby to some, but the thrill for these draft-horse-owners is keeping an American tradition alive.