Since 1986

Leeds County Draft Horse Club

Sharing a Wealth of Experience

Events 2010: Meetings the third Wed. of each month, 8:00 pm in the Toledo United Church Hall unless otherwise noted. Jan. 20. Meeting. Topic: Sleigh Rides, Spring Field Day. Feb. 17. Meeting. Topic: Sleigh Ride at Coates'. Feb. 20. Sleigh Ride at Sheridan Coates'. Be ready to go at 10:00. Pot luck to follow, Bethel Masonic Lodge. March 17. Meeting, Topic: Feeding, speaker Katie Gemmell from Purina Feeds.. April 21. Meeting. Topic: Field day, calendars. April 24. Bus trip to Bromont; see more than 160 restored carriages, and Canadian Horses. Reserve with John Hoogendam, 498-9964. May 15. Spring Field Day, 3615 County Rd 26, just east of Maynard. May 19. Meeting. Topic: TBA.. June 16. Meeting. Topic: TBA. July 21. Meeting and pot luck supper, location TBA. Topic: Farmersville and Lombardy Exhibitions. Aug. 18. Meeting and pot luck supper. Topic and location TBA. Sept. 15 Meeting. Topic: TBA. Sept. 21 - 25. IPM 2010, St. Thomas, Elgin County. Sept. 15. Meeting. Topic TBA. Oct. 20. Meeting. Annual Club Elections. Nov. 17. Meeting. Topic: Dinner, dance, Club display and demo im Kemptville. Nov. 21. Dinner, dance, silent auction. Toledo Legion Hall. Nov. 21-22. Club demo and display at Everything Equine Event, Kemptville College.. Dec. No meeting. Other Dates of Interest May 1 Everything Equine Sales Event. Links of Interest Ontario Agricultural Fairs and Exhibitions Ontario Plowmen's Association Draft Horse Connection Magazine Giving voice to the living tradition of Canadian Horse farming. Rural Heritage Magazine Bimonthly journal in support of farming and logging with horses and other draft animals.

About the Group: The Leeds County Draft Horse Club was formed in 1986. Its purpose is to promote the proper care and use of draft horses; whether it be for agricultural or recreational endeavours.. Membership Membership in the Club is $20.00 annually. This includes the cost of a monthly newsletter, as well as the opportunity to participate in meetings and other Club activities. The current membership stands at approximately 80. This includes teamsters with many decades of experience through to people just starting out with their first teams, and those who do not have horses, but appreciate the beauty and utility of these animals and who want to contribute to the continuance of the draft horse tradition. Meetings: Meetings are held the third Wednesday of each month (except December), in the Toledo United Church Hall during the school year, and at members' homes during the summer months. Meetings often feature guest speakers addressing topics such as horse health care and breeding, land stewardship, insurance, and breed profiles. Every meeting includes a pot luck lunch and social gathering. Scope Members of the Club have an interest in many draft breeds, whether they be of the traditional varieties such as Belgians, Clydesdales and Percherons, the Heritage breeds such as Canadians, Shires and Suffolk Punches, or the more recent arrivals to North America, such as Fjords, and Halflingers. Horses need not be purebred or registered in order to take part in Club events. In fact, mules and oxen have participated in Club events over the years, too! Events Every year, the Club hosts a Fall Field Day, with teams performing such tasks as plowing, discing, log-skidding, and giving wagon rides. There is always good food and good music at the field day! The Club holds an annual Christmas Dinner, Dance and Silent Auction in November. Another favourite winter activity is the annual sleigh ride and pot luck lunch. The Club is often invited to participate in special community events, such as Tapping Out in sugar bushes, Prescott Gunboat Days and other Heritage events, and Agricultural Fair Parades, to name but a few. Educational Outreach Members also participate in educational outreach programs, and have been invited to give harnessing and field work demonstrations at the Central Experimental Farm in Ottawa, and at the Old Log Farm in Nepean. Recently, the Club has been asked to provide farming demonstrations at local fairs. Some members have participated as instructors in the Eastern Ontario Workhorse Workshop. Community Involvement Members often attend meetings and special events hosted by horse clubs in the surrounding counties. The Leeds County Draft Horse Club always has a good representation at local plowing matches and at the International Plowing Match. Invitation The members of the Leeds County Draft Horse Club collectively represent a wealth of experience in dealing with horses, antique and modern horse-drawn equipment, horse logging, and farm management, and they are most willing to share this expertise with all who are interested. Come join us! Click here to download Club information pamphlet and membership form. Contacts: President: Brian Henderson (613) 926-1389 Vice-President Valerie Kirkwood (613) 258-3851 Membership: Jean Shane (613) 342-6454