Now that's something you don't see everyday…A team of draught horses 6 abreast at the heavy horse field day at Gatton 2011.  Picture courstesy Heavy Thunder.

27th May 2011

Draught Horse Power…

Permit us if we may continue to talk about the Gatton Field Day as we came across a spectacular sight. Now speaking of draught and the older style of horse, we didn’t go too far before we came across Terry Herman and his draught horse team. 

The driver, Neville Schimdt, has been driving horses for Terry for about 20 years.  The team of 6 abreast was harnessed to an agricultural implement known as a scarifier.

This vehicle would have been used for many purposes on the farm at planting time back in the early 1900’s.  A very handy implement indeed and was powered by 6 horses abreast which is a rare sight in this day and age.  But Terry Herman is dedicated to the Australian Draught Horse as he has owned and worked them for many, many years.

The Australian Draught Horse is the result of many years of dedicated work by breeders.   Breeders strive to produce a specific breed of draught animal suited to the Australian climate.

The breed has evolved as a result of the infusion of recognised pure draught breeds, found here in Australia. This practice continues today as Australian draught horse power is hardy horse power for the Australian climate. 

Now the characteristics of the Australian breed of draught can be seen today in the resulting registered horses.  Or if its part draughts people are after, light horse breeds are introduced into the mix to produce these animals.

As long as the horse fits the Australian Draught Horse Stud Book Society Breed Standard, the animal would be recognised and registered as an Australian Draught horse. 

The Australian draught or part draught is used for many different equestrian events now.  We at Heavy Thunder have seen part draught horses in one day events, jumping events and dressage days.  They are used for pleasure both under saddle and in harness and of course for the more traditional draught events.

So it’s really not surprising we came across Terry Herman’s team at the Gatton Field Day.  And it was awe inspiring to see the driver manoeuvre the team harness abreast around the show grounds.

People of all ages watched.  The younger generation would more than likely never have seen a team of 6.  Being so used to seeing tractors in the fields now a days, most children would probably have never given a thought to how farmers of times gone by ploughed fields.

And this is why events of this nature are great to see.  They give the younger people a glimpse of what was, and they jog the memory of the older Australians.  They would be reminded of times gone by.  But draught horses are an important part of our Australian heritage as these were the types of horses that helped build our nation.

 So as the dust settles and all the exhibitors and the spectators go home, we’ll look forward to another heavy horse event.  But for this year, the draught breeds have had their two days at the Field Day in Gatton Australia for 2011.  And it was great to see people enjoying the day and of course, the temperament of the heavy horse.   With people like Terry Herman whom bring along his team of horses, it’s not difficult to see why.

For more information on what field days like these  have to offer please go to http://heavythunder.com.au/the-modern-friesian-at-gatton-heavy-horse-field-day

It was great to see you all again and we'll look forward to seeing you all next time.

Cheers

Paul and Jann