Our school, Farming with Draft Horses and Mules, began in 1993 on our 86 acre horsepowered farm in Poplarville, Mississippi. We bought our farm in 1978 and started farming it with our Belgian and Percheron draft horses. Everything we did in building and setting up this farm was done so we could use the workhorses for our farming needs.

Many of the things we teach about working horses came from my dad Raymond Russell. He was born on an Indiana farm in 1913. After World War II he moved to Mississippi, bringing with him his knowledge and ability to farm with horses and mules. He ran a dairy farm for many years and never owned a tractor. We farmed in partnership with him and his workhorses from 1979 until his death in 1995.

We think that our school has more to offer than any other school of its type. At the school we are very dedicated to sharing and teaching our knowledge about farming with horses or mules. Our students gain more knowledge with hands-on experience, while building their confidence and learning what their limitations are with working horses.

We see that our students get plenty of time harnessing, driving, and using as many of the implements as possible. We always have 2-3 instructors and teams working during the school. Students are given several booklets on horse farming and horse-drawn machinery which will be very helpful to anyone that is planning on using workhorses or farm machinery.

Our days begin with breakfast at 7:00 a.m. Following breakfast each day, we will travel about 5 miles to our farm and begin the day farming with horses. After evening meals there will be time for watching horse-related videos, discussing our day's work and making plans for the next day. Please be sure to bring pictures of your farm and teams of horses and mules.

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