Increasing their presence at each year’s festival the Tasmanian Draught Horse Association are true icons in every sense of the word.

The Association is a small group of people dedicated to the promotion of the heritage of our ‘Gentle Giants’ - the Tasmanian Working Draught Horse.

This is achieved by public displays of working horses using heritage implements such as log shoes, sleds, scoops, carts, harrows and ploughs. 

Current members include a wide variety of people from all over the state and all walks of life from farmers, teachers and foresters to marine engineers.  All members share a love of the heavy horse and are encouraged in their own pursuits, with experienced members only too willing to lend a hand. 

At the Tasmanian Forest Festival the Association has a number of heavy horses featuring in events such as;

·        The  “Test of Strength” horses versus people, where horses pull logs and sleds loaded with bags of fertilizer, loaned by Elders Webster, a certain distance.  Teams from sponsors will be invited to match the distance. 

·        Displays featuring horses long reined, pulling logs and sleds around an obstacle course.

·        Harnessing demonstrations, hoof care displays and a static heavy horse display comprising various types of equipment, heritage and modern photos, as well as  interesting facts and information.

Further information can be obtained by contacting the Secretary of the Tasmanian Draught Horse Association.