Nov 30, 2017

5 - Oxen

Authors

LRTA-C150, LaHave_River_Project

Banner image : The ox-pull at the Bridgewater Exhibition, photo from the NS Archives

Background

Oxen were integral to the farms all along the LaHave River Valley. You will see them in several of the photos in this project playing their patient, supporting roll.

Today, ox pulls are where you will see oxen in action. We have many community ox pulls in the area, the Grand Daddy being the International Ox Pull held each July at the ‘Big Ex’ in Bridgewater.

The National Film Board produced a 13 minute video in 1970 called Don’t Knock the Ox that features footage from the ox pull at the Big Ex.

And if you particpated in the original project on Facebook, you would have seen the incredible oxen photos from Terry James and his book In Praise of Oxen. We are very appreciative that Terry gave us permission to display many of his photos. If you appreciate oxen, you will enjoy his book which is available online or from the local library.