wildfire305 58 #1 Posted August 13, 2018 Found this while visiting the Kentucky Horse Park. No one around to explain. Thought everyone might find it interesting. 8 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 36,937 #3 Posted August 13, 2018 You'll find the "real" wheelhorse leads the team. Look it up. 5 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wheelhorseman 3,197 #4 Posted August 13, 2018 (edited) Yep the (Wheel Horse’s) Are the most reliable and trustworthy horse’s hooked to the wagon Edited August 13, 2018 by wheelhorseman 4 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CasualObserver 3,406 #5 Posted August 13, 2018 (edited) Very cool @wildfire305 some history would be interesting there. With the head/wheel logo I wonder if there was some corporate sponsorship at one time... or maybe the Ponds owned horses? @Wheelhorsestory might be able to clue us in if he stops by. Edited August 13, 2018 by CasualObserver 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oliver2-44 8,770 #6 Posted August 13, 2018 (edited) As AMC said the term WHEELHORSE has been around a long time, probable centuries. The Ponds probable capatilized on the old term because of its meaning as the “lead horse “ Edited August 14, 2018 by oliver2-44 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 46,404 #7 Posted August 13, 2018 Oliie beat me to that suggestion. Pretty cool. with all those garnishments. Busch horse got nothing on those. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mikey the Monkey 691 #8 Posted August 13, 2018 That looks like the actual Wheel Horse emblem on those yokes. There must be a connection Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 51,018 #9 Posted August 13, 2018 5 hours ago, CasualObserver said: maybe the Ponds owned horses? I was thinking the same thing as Jason on this one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MalMac 1,328 #10 Posted August 13, 2018 This is what I have been told by my grandfather years ago. He was a farmer that farmed with Horses then moved into the mechanized world. So I am only repeating what I have been told because I know nothing about working real horses. The Wheel Horse is your strongest horse when working a team of horses. The Horse is placed to right front closest to the driver. Now this may or may not be the gospel. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 36,937 #11 Posted August 14, 2018 (edited) https://www.southernstates.com/articles/draft-horse-shows.aspx http://www.equineheritagemuseum.com/uncategorized/driving-configurations Edited August 14, 2018 by AMC RULES Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wild Bill in VA 1,366 #12 Posted August 14, 2018 Interesting to note that square Wheel Horse logo that was used on both of the colliers of the harness did not come out until 1962 of which this horse set up was probably made in the 1960s . ANDDDDD they just had to put 4 of the square logos on because the hood of the 702 only had 2 ! Neat find in a museum ! Wild Bill in Richmond, VA 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
c-series don 7,645 #13 Posted August 14, 2018 As old as that is, the person that knows the story behind that may no longer be with us? Obviously we would all like to know! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 46,404 #14 Posted August 14, 2018 (edited) Maybe Don...Maybe not, surely the curator of this museum might have an answer had he been available? Which brings up another question. .. did Elmer Pond have this lead or "wheeler" horse fact in mind when he came up with the name for his brand? Edited August 14, 2018 by WHX20 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildfire305 58 #15 Posted August 14, 2018 (edited) Kentucky horse park opened in 1978 so... Maybe someone might know. I'll ask around if I have a chance. Also, that was in an area where some harnesses were still used daily. And thirdly, Toro is a minor sponsor of the park. Edited August 14, 2018 by wildfire305 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Retired Wrencher 4,829 #16 Posted August 14, 2018 11 hours ago, MalMac said: This is what I have been told by my grandfather years ago. He was a farmer that farmed with Horses then moved into the mechanized world. So I am only repeating what I have been told because I know nothing about working real horses. The Wheel Horse is your strongest horse when working a team of horses. The Horse is placed to right front closest to the driver. Now this may or may not be the gospel. MalMac Coming from you I can belive it. With your family's history. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ol550 825 #17 Posted August 14, 2018 13 hours ago, MalMac said: This is what I have been told by my grandfather years ago. He was a farmer that farmed with Horses then moved into the mechanized world. So I am only repeating what I have been told because I know nothing about working real horses. The Wheel Horse is your strongest horse when working a team of horses. The Horse is placed to right front closest to the driver. Now this may or may not be the gospel. Close to what I have heard. Rather than closest to the driver closest to the brake. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EricF 589 #18 Posted August 15, 2018 23 hours ago, Wild Bill in VA said: Interesting to note that square Wheel Horse logo that was used on both of the colliers of the harness did not come out until 1962 of which this horse set up was probably made in the 1960s . Half a lifetime ago, I worked with horses... believe me, good harness equipment and tack is cared for to last a lifetime, and repaired rather than replaced. Each owner tends to add their own personal touches along the way. I'm sure there's some interesting history there! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wildside 195 #19 Posted September 18, 2018 Right when I think My Wheel Horse Desease has taken me all the places it can now I feel the need to go to Kentucky and check this out. Maybe I'll find another RJ while I'm there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WildHorses 378 #20 Posted September 18, 2018 My parents were dealers and I recall us going to Kentucky Horse park in the late 80's... I would have been 6 or 7 but I don't know why else we would have went unless Wheel Horse was putting on an event there. I'll check with my dad and see if it was Wheel Horse related. I don't recall seeing any tractors that day but with all of the large horses and things, tractors being a daily occurrence in my life, I may have not noticed them. Most of our vacations and trips back then revolved around Wheel Horse events so I think it's highly likely. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WildHorses 378 #21 Posted September 18, 2018 Per my dad "Wheel Horse was a partial sponsor of the horse park. They provided some grounds equipment and owned 2 belgian draft horses that were kept there. One of the sales brochures had a picture of the horses." 2 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wildside 195 #22 Posted September 18, 2018 Cool, What is the Name of the Horse Park? I'd like to look into this alittle more. Rather interesting. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lynnmor 6,706 #23 Posted September 18, 2018 1 hour ago, Wildside said: Cool, What is the Name of the Horse Park? I'd like to look into this alittle more. Rather interesting. That would be " Kentucky Horse Park " Nice place and worth a visit. I stayed at the campground years ago, visited the museum, grounds and took a horseback ride. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 46,404 #24 Posted September 18, 2018 For everyone's convenience http://kyhorsepark.com/ 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Horse Play 393 #25 Posted September 22, 2018 On 9/18/2018 at 2:40 AM, Wildside said: Right when I think My Wheel Horse Desease has taken me all the places it can now I feel the need to go to Kentucky and check this out. Maybe I'll find another RJ while I'm there. Wheel Horses are few and far between here. I've never found an RJ or Suburban; had to get one from Indiana. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites