Draft horses are essential to Wagner Farm’s mission

Recent attention surrounding the sale of Wagner Farm’s retired draft horses, Bill and Bob, reflects how deeply people care about the animals at this community institution. Friends of Wagner Farm believes the discussion should recognize the farm’s purpose and the practices required to sustain it.

Wagner Farm is a working farm and agricultural education site. Draft horses help visitors, many of them children seeing working farm animals for the first time, understand how farms operated before tractors and modern machinery. They plow, pull wagons and bring agricultural history to life.

Experienced farm staff, veterinarians and equine experts monitor the horses’ health and soundness and help guide decisions about their care. When horses can no longer safely perform the work required, responsible management means transitioning them out of the program. Rotating horses in and out of service is a normal and responsible part of farm stewardship. Animal welfare guides these decisions.

Draft horse auctions are a long-standing and transparent part of agriculture, allowing many buyers, including other farms, private owners and rescue organizations, to participate. Bill and Bob were purchased at auction many years ago and recently sold at auction, with the farm insisting they be sold as a team.

The farm purchased its new horses, Jim and Duke, from an Amish farm at auction. Visitors will be able to see them working for years to come.

Wagner Farm is one of the few places in our suburban region where residents can experience a working heritage farm and learn how animals have contributed to agriculture. Glenview voters chose to preserve that mission, and draft horses remain essential to fulfilling it.

Friends of Wagner Farm supports the continued use of draft horses at Wagner Farm and the responsible practice of rotating them as their working lives and care needs change.

Jennifer Czerwinski, president, Friends of Wagner Farm Board, Wilmette