Hold on to your horses

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This article was published 25/08/2015 (3920 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

There won’t be any horsing around in Assiniboine Park Zoo’s newest exhibit.

It’s all about business in the McFeetors Heavy Horse Centre, which officially opens on Aug. 28 at 9 a.m. The new exhibit features four heavy, or draft, horses. Horses that have traditionally been used as work steeds in Manitoba.

The 4.7-acre facility at the north side of the park adds a missing equestrian element to the zoo and complements the exotic and northern exhibits that have characterized the park in recent years.

“It’s a traditional thing and there used to be horse rides here in the park,” said director of zoological operations Brian Joseph. “But it’s important because the horses were key to settling Manitoba, to clearing forest, plowing fields and today people have lost that connection.”

Four Percheron horses (Flame, Ice, Bob and Tom) will have access to three paddocks and be housed in a brand-new Belgian style barn (which Joseph said is nicer than his house).

And according to Joseph, the McFeetors Heavy Horse Centre, while not as expensive as Journey to Churchill, will have the same impact and magnitude of the polar bear exhibit in the many ways it can grow.

“This is a place where people can see draft horses, heavy horses, ride in wagons and get back to the farm connection that we’ve lost,” he added.

The exhibit is named after Tuxedo resident and former CEO of and chairman of Great-West Life, Ray McFeetors.

The 71-year-old donated $2 million to get the heavy horse exhibit out of the stable. McFeetors grew up in Newdale, Man. where he interacted with heavy horses on a near daily basis and wanted to bring that experience to people in his neighbourhood, and Winnipeg at large.

“When I was a kid growing up in rural Manitoba it was right at the end of the heavy horse era, but I do remember them pulling school vans, drays and delivering coal to houses and things like that,” McFeetors said.

“I wanted to continue the tradition of the heavy horse in Manitoba but I also wanted to give to the community,” he said.

Planning for McFeetors Heavy Horse Centre has been underway for about two years and involved Grosse Isle’s Janice Rutherford, who was instrumental in the design and programming of the centre.

A heavy horse owner, Rutherford trained McFeetors’ staff, purchased the equipment, horses, advised the zoo on building the barn and ensured the horses had the best care possible in the new facility.

“I’m excited to educate the public,” Rutherford said. “I grew up in Winnipeg and know how limited access is to draft horses for people within Winnipeg, and people may not know what a draft horse is, so I’m excited to share my passion with them.”

Visitors to the zoo will have an opportunity to experience barn tours and learn about the pioneer era of Manitoba’s history, when heavy horse power was relied on for industry. Horse-drawn wagon rides will also be offered in the summer and sleigh rides in the winter for $3 per person.

For more information go to assiniboineparkzoo.ca

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