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Special Event

Haying with Horses

This event has already occurred. This page is provided for reference only.

Fee:

Free.

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Dates & Times

Date:

Wednesday, August 14, 2024

Time:

1:00 PM

Duration:

2 hours and 30 minutes

Type of Event

Cultural/Craft Demonstration

Living History

Demonstration will begin at 1:00 pm with a brief ranger talk. Please plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before to allow time to get from the parking area to the demonstration.

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Description

Take a step back in time and watch as several teams of draft horses, driven by teamsters, are used to put up hay.  Watch as a load of hay is gathered up with a buck rake and loaded on the beaverslide.  Experience the explosive power of the draft team on the stack as on cue, they pull up the load, pulling straight toward the audience.  See workers on the stack use pitchforks to shape the loose hay into a solid stack to be stored for the winter.  

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Reservation or Registration: No

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Contact Information

Julie Croglio
406-846-2070 ext. 226
Contact Us

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Image Gallery

Two Belgian Draft horses run towards the camera, with the teamster standing behind them.

Percheron draft horses are handled by a teamster while they are hitched to a buck rake

Beaverslide hay stacker with tines suspended over stack of loose hay, having just dumped a load.

It takes an explosion of power, like that from these Belgian draft horses, to pull up a heavy load of loose hay using the Beaverslide haystacker.
NPS Photo/ Ken Larson

A teamster handles these Percheron Draft horses with one hand and prepares the lever to raise the tines of the Buck Rack with the other hand, once a full load of hay is scooped up. The hay will be taken over to the beaverslide to be stacked.
NPS Photo/ Ken Larson

The beaverslide haystacker, can be seen in hayfields year round, but it's only in use for a short time in the summer. Come see it in action.
NPS Photo