Draft horses
can replace tractors for some farm chores, but unlike a tractor, they require daily care and feed.
Using draft horses can be appropriate when the amount of land being farmed is small and the horses are able to physically handle the amount of work required of them. While a conditioned draft horse is extremely strong no matter what breed it is, as with any working animal, it must be given plenty of breaks and should be limited in the amount of work that it is required to do on a daily basis.
Instructions
1. Train the draft horses to pull the equipment. Introduce the horse to each implement gradually so that it can become accustomed to the new noises being pulled behind. If not introduced properly, there is a greater chance that the draft horse may spook and run away. At the same time, condition the horse so that it is physically prepared for the tasking work. It will help if the horse has previously been trained as a driving horse.
2. Modify farm machinery so that it can be hooked up to the horse's harness. If it cannot be modified, purchase appropriate implements. Simple machinery that can be pulled on wheels, dragged or works on a ground-drive system can be used to farm with draft horses. But implements requiring power takeoff, hydraulics or electric will not work. Some types of machinery that may work include harrows, plows, ground-driven manure spreaders, sickle mowers and cultivators.
3. Hitch up the draft horses and hook the farming implement you need to their harness. Holding the reins, walk behind the horses and the implements, and direct the horse's path along the piece of land being farmed. Provide the horses with food and water at regular intervals every few hours, increasing the frequency of stops during hotter parts of the day.
Tags: draft horses, machinery that, amount work, being farmed, draft horse