Maine 4-H oxen travel to Kentucky

Eight Maine steer and oxen teams went south Nov. 6 to Lexington, Kentucky for a four-day exhibit of working steer and oxen at the Kentucky Horse Park.

Dottie Bell of Waterford coordinated the event along with Dan Midkiff and the staff at the park. The exhibit, titled History/Heritage, demonstrated working oxen as they would have been used in the 1800s and early 1900s.

The teams showcased the use of an ox cart the way the pioneers would have used it to navigate west. They simulated the use of a log scoot by loading logs, moving them to a designated area and unloading them they way many New Englanders cleared their land. Using a stone boat, the teams demonstrated clearing rocks from a field as well plowing. Turning over the Kentucky soil, the group demonstrated how the earth would have been worked for planting before the advent of tractors.

The highlight of the exhibit took place twice daily when all eight teams were hook together, working as one to move a Big Wheel Log Cart with 10-foot tall wheels. These carts were used until about the 1920s in the Northern Midwest and Western forest to move out large timber. The large logs would be winched under the axle and eight or more teams of oxen or horses would be used to pull the logs out. The teams impressed spectators with the ease they worked together to maneuver the Big Wheel around the arena.

Teamsters that participated in this event were all either 4-H members, 4-H alumni, parents of 4-H alumni or 4-H leaders in the Maine 4-H Working Steer Program: Mark, Kim and Marissa Winslow of Falmouth; Dan and Lydia Boutot of Baldwin; Jason and Kelsey Sanborn of Baldwin; Dottie and David Bell (mechanic), Lorraine Boutot, (vendor gift sales) and Adi Boutot, photographer.

Rural Heritage publisher, Joe Mischa, filmed the teams for a spot on RFDtv, scheduled to air on March 10.

The public is invited to view a slide presentation at the meeting of the Waterford World’s Fair Association’s Dec. 11 meeting at the Waterford Municipal Complex.

Reprinted from the Mutiny Brook Times
Photos and story provided by Dottie Bell