Plow Day

Driving Drafts is an organization that has its eye and heart set on keeping working horses in the view of everyone. This past Sunday, there was an event-for free!-on the outskirts of Benzonia at the Zenker farm.

There is nothing like working with these huge animals. They are beautiful, often gentle giants. Single horses or teams of two, three, and even six horses pull plows and disc drags over the field. Rides on a small cart or a big ole wagon were available to anyone who wanted to hop aboard. 

  

This group has a driving school available each year. How would you like to hold the reigns to horses like these? 

This event was right on the corner of US 31 and County Line Road at the edge of Benzie County. With the field right beside the highway, People on the road were stopping for front row seats to this event. This was the only event I have seen where people only had their cell phones out to take photos, not to text or talk!

This fellow didn't have his mules at the event, but it is clear he is fond of them!

A couple of  extra surprises were there for me. One was seeing an old friend, the other was the owner of the farm. We are cousins!

There was food available, and pony rides. It made for a great family outing all around. There was also information on the breeds of drafts horses: Present at this event were Clydesdales, Percherons, Shires, Belgiums, Spotted Drafts, Halflingers, and a pair with this color that I can't recall the breed name. Beauties, all of them!

This event was located in Grawn for many years, but sadly, the owner of the farm they used to plow at recently passed away. The horse folk will be holding a beautiful and suitable tribute to their fallen comrade, with a horse-drawn funeral. 

 This group has event dates posted on their website, which is linked in the first words of the first paragraph. Watch for them at the Northwest Michigan Fair.