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The little Ambassadors
July 9, 2014
We attended Horse Progress Days in Holmes county Ohio, over the fourth of July holiday. It was a good time as expected. Horses are used to work farm land with various pieces of machinery. Much of the equipment is “tractor” equipment. They even had a ten foot rototiller hooked behind a power cart, pulled by horses and driven by a powerful motor.
There were small equipment manufacturers, vendors of every description for horses and equipment and many other items of interest for the small farmer. They had logging and tree felling demonstrations, even a barn raising from wood sawed on site. The event was attended by many folks from all walks of life and several foreign countries. The crowd was large, but dispersed nicely. The event was well planned, well laid out and well done in every way.
Equipment of many types was driven and field trialed. Seeing really is believing! Horses pulled mowers, haybines, rakes and tedders. They also baled, wrapped and handled hay with a variety of equipment from many manufacturers… and that was just the haying demonstration part!!
A highlight of the show for me, is when twelve horses hooked to a four bottom gang plow, went to the field and plowed. It is an awesome display of horsepower and one that I will never duplicate. I also like all the innovative thinking that is on display and for sale. It is a great event for small farmers, especially those of us who farm with draft animals.
There was plenty for the women folk to see and do as well. Seminars on all sorts of topics from home canning to home remedies. Candle and soap making and other home building skills were discussed and displayed.
The food was great too…I mean where else can you get homemade ice cream made by a hit and miss engine or churned by a horse drawn sweep. Fry pies, soft pretzels and cheeseburgers, along with veal, sausage and even salads, could be found on the grounds…. no place to be dieting, I can tell you that!
Next year’s Horse Progress Days will be held in southern Indiana. If this sounds like something you’d like to see, make plans now to attend, you will not be disappointed!
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RicelandMeadows 
We were at Horse Progress days too. I read your article about three drafts and liked the way you wrote. Very practical and too the point. We got our first percheron yearling colt this spring. He was bought at Mt. Hope auction by an Amish friend and then we purchased it from him. We are in SE Ohio and have a 26 acre grass based farm, with dairy goats, chickens, sheep, pigs and now a draft horse.
Comment by Tari July 10, 2014 @ 12:54 pmTari, You are well on your way in this small farming thing that we both enjoy! Spend lots of time with your colt…. its good for both of you! Thank you for your nice comments.
Comment by ricelandmeadows July 13, 2014 @ 11:36 amThe ice cream churned by a hit and miss engine, I know where to find, but I have not seen it churned by horse or sheep.
Comment by Charlie "The Kid" July 15, 2014 @ 7:01 pmI wanted to attend so bad but we were busy here in NC. Definitely going next year!
Comment by Adam July 21, 2014 @ 10:50 amYou missed a great event. Next year is in Indiana…make plans if you can!
Comment by ricelandmeadows July 23, 2014 @ 6:17 pm