The Draft-Horse Gear and Tools You Need

Once a team has been outfitted with the gear detailed above, it can pull a wide range of farming equipment – including many intended for use with a tractor. The most common approach is to invest in a wheeled forecart, which includes a seat for the teamster driving the horses and a “drawbar” to which equipment is attached. Forecarts, as well as many implements designed for draft animals, are available through Amish manufacturers and distributors such as Atlantic Draft Horse Supply, I & J Manufacturing, and Pioneer Equipment Inc. Here’s a run-down of the kinds of tasks draft horses can tackle, along with the gear required for each:

[mf_h2 align=”left” transform=”uppercase”]Soil Prep[/mf_h2]

Moldboard Plow: Simple walk-behind plow used with draft horses since the 18th century
Sulky Plow: Riding version of the moldboard plow
Manure Spreader: Heavy-duty wagon with rotating blades that spew manure onto the field
Harrow: Used after plowing to break large clumps of dirt into a fine seed bed

[mf_h2 align=”left” transform=”uppercase”]Planting and Cultivation[/mf_h2]

Seed Drills, Transplanters: Automate the process of putting plants in the ground
Cultivator: Multi-purpose tool that forms furrows and weeds the space between crops
Digger: Harvests potatoes, garlic, and other root crops

[mf_h2 align=”left” transform=”uppercase”]Around the Farm[/mf_h2]

Wagons, Carts, Sleds: Allow the horses to haul everything from produce to firewood
Mowers, Power Rakes, Hay Balers, Tedders: All tools that are involved in harvesting and baling hay