How to Use a Walking Plow

Examine the beam and handles of your hand plow for cracks. Replace the handles or beam if cracks are found. Remove the rust from the plow blade using a wire wheel or auto body grinder to scrub it off.

Use a measuring tape to measure a portion of field 50 feet wide by 100 feet long. Drive a metal stake into the ground, at the halfway point of the 50 foot side. Drive a second stake at the halfway point of the opposite 50 foot side.

Select a team of horses that are well-trained, have good manners and are calm. Choose a strong variety of horse such as Clydesdale, Percheron or Belgian that can easily pull the plow through the soil.

Harness the team of horses and hitch them to the front of the plow. Stand behind the plow, at the handles, and guide your horses forward until the traces tighten. Halt your horses by pulling on the harness lines. Tie the ends of the lines together in a knot and slip them over one shoulder and under the arm on the opposite side.

Drive your team pulling the plow to the staked point on one end of the field. Remove the stake and position the tip of the plow blade at the point in the soil where the stake was. Direct your horses to start walking in a straight line toward the opposite end of the field.

Raise the handles of the plow to cause the blade to dig into the dirt. Keep the stake on the opposite side in view and aim your plow at it. Keep your horses moving at a slow, steady walk across the field.

Raise the right handle of the plow to turn it to the right. Raise the left handle of the plow to turn it to the left. Make adjustments to the direction of the plow as it is moving through the soil to keep the plow line as straight as possible.

Lower the handles as you reach the end of the field to raise the blade from the soil. Pull back on the lines to stop the horses once you reach the second stake. Tip the plow on its ride side and let it drag as you turn the team around. Direct the team in a wide turn to the right.

Position the horses 3 inches away from the left side of the plowed furrow. Lift the plow upright and knock of any dirt stuck to the blade. Signal your team to begin walking forward. Lift the handles to dig the blade into the soil and start the second row.