Horse pulls are back in action for the summer, but one may not realize the work and preparation that goes into getting a team of horses ready to pull. From a young age, pulling horses are handled daily and cared for extensively to make them competitive.
Les Vold is a Board Member of the Wisconsin Horse Pullers Association, and he shares what it looks like to train horses to pull and prepare them for the big event.
Vold says that pulling horse prospects are broken at 4-5 years old. They are worked with everyday, and they build muscle mass by driving about 5-7 miles every day.
It takes about a year of training for a horse to be ready to pull at competitions full time, according to Vold. He also mentions that Belgian and Percheron are the most common breeds for pulling.
Vold goes on to explain that the cost of pulling can act as a barrier to younger members who may be interested in joining. To combat that, the WHPA has lowered membership dues for non-pulling members who want to learn more.
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