In late June 2023, I had the pleasure of attending the 29th annual Horse Progress Days (HPD) in Shipshewana IN. The intention of HPD is to showcase the latest innovations in the draft horse industry. The event also included educational seminars and clinics. The mission of the organization is to encourage and promote draft animal power, showcase the latest draft animal-powered equipment, and demonstrate that draft animal power is a viable option for small farms.
The weekend started with an optional tour prior to the event. Attendees were bused to local farms and equipment fabricators. Attendees toured a 30-acre horse-powered wholesale vegetable farm (Figure 1), a produce co-op, two local dairies; a raw milk Jersey dairy with a herd share program, and a Holstein dairy with retailed products and its own processing facility for flavored milk. Another stop was a manufacturing company that specializes in power forecarts (a forecart with engine-to-power equipment such as balers and sprayers).
Figure 1. Team of Belgians cultivating squash with an I and J straddle row cultivator at a 30-acre diversified vegetable farm in Northern Indiana (Photo by Moriah Bilenky).
The main event is two days filled with draft animal equipment demonstrations, seminars, and presentations on farming and homesteading. Equipment for the vegetable farm is one of the highlights. All morning every kind of equipment for vegetable production, from tillage to planting and plastic lifting, is demonstrated using anywhere from heavy teams to draft ponies and single horses (Figures 2-11).
Figure 2. Horse-drawn single gang disc demoed at Horse Progress Days in Shipshewana, IN (Photo by Moriah Bilenky).
3. The Shipshe cultimulcher by Shipshe Farm Supply demoed at Horse Progress Days in Shipshewana, IN (Photo by Moriah Bilenky).
Figure 4. Ground-driven manure spreader by EZ Spreader LLC. demoed at Horse Progress Days in Shipshewana, IN (Photo by Moriah Bilenky).
Figure 5. Horse-drawn plastic layer demonstration at Horse Progress Days in Shipshewana, IN (Photo by Moriah Bilenky).
Although HPD is a regional event, it rotates between IL, IN, OH, PA, and MI, and it brings visitors from around the world. Many international guests are hosted by local farmers. During the event, guests gave short introductions of what they do and why they came to HPD.
I had the pleasure of meeting up with a woman from Normandy, France. She provides draft animal-powered land preparation and management services to farmers, vineyard owners, and government clients. Think custom farming, but on smaller acreages and with horses! All her clients are looking for a power option that is low impact for working highly erodible soils or woodlots.
Figure 6. I and J roller crimper demoed at Horse Progress Days in Shipshewana, IN (Photo by Moriah Bilenky).
7. Mascot three gang reel mower. Demoed at Horse Progress Days in Shipshewana, IN (Photo by Moriah Bilenky).
Figure 8. Horse-drawn plastic mulch layer by EZ Trail Manufacturing (Photo by Moriah Bilenky).
Draft animal power can be a regenerative power option for small farms, and there is an international community of people committed to it as a way of life. In addition to HPD, the Draft Animal Power Network is a non-profit aimed at supporting the use of draft animal power through connection to resources with the goal of preserving and advancing the use of draft animals in the working landscape.
Figure 9. Pull-type low tunnel maker by Buckeye Tractor Co (Photo by Moriah Bilenky).
Figure 10. Horse-drawn sprayer demoed at Horse Progress Days in Shipshewana, IN (Photo by Moriah Bilenky).
Figure 11. Team of draft ponies pulling I and J straddle row cultivator at Horse Progress Days in Shipshewana, IN (Photo by Moriah Bilenky).
If you are interested in discussing the use of draft power on your farm, please reach out to mbilenky@purdue.edu. I am working to gauge interest in programming geared toward animal traction and sustainable vegetable production.