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MAINE DRAFT HORSE AND OX ASSOCIATION APPROVED RULES AND REGULATIONS REVISED JANUARY 2003
Rules & Regulations Objects: A. To insure the proper treatment of animals B. To raise the standard of horse & ox drawing C. To stimulate interest in horse & ox drawing among the general public. D. To create adequate rules for the efficient staging of horse & ox drawing contests.
Policies: A. This association shall not seek to direct the administrative activities of any fair association. B. This association shall seek to secure and maintain harmony with all fair associations. C. This association shall provide equal rights and privileges to all its members. D. This association shall do all in its power to stop any person or group that tries to hurt ,in any way, the horse or ox drawing in the state of Maine.
Membership & Dues: A. Any person interested in the objects of the Maine Draft Horse & Ox Association and willing to uphold its policies and subscribe to its by-laws may become a member upon payment of dues as here-in after provided. B. The annual dues shall be $10.00 Mailing Address: Maine Draft Horse & Ox Association 411 Farmington Falls Rd. New Sharon ,ME 04955
RULE 1-PERMITS No permit may be issued unless the sponsor has adopted the following rules governing the conduct of each contest. RULE 2 STARTING TIME All teamsters who are to compete in contests shall have their teams ready at the published starting time . ALL CLASSES SHALL BE CLOSED AFTER POSITIONS ARE DRAWN .Classes shall start as nearly as possible to the published time. RULE 3 WEIGHING IN Check weighing will be allowed prior to the official weigh-in. Official weigh-in shall start in the A.M. and up until positions are drawn. Any one weighing one horse and pulling another in its place :(if this is proven) owner shall be barred from pulling for one year .Fair superintendents or person weighing ,shall notify this association and in turn superintendents shall be notified. RULE 4 MEASURING Measuring shall be in a straight line to the nearest point of the drag .Line to line measure will be allowed .The front of the drag must touch the line before turning .To get the full line measure ,drag must be turned more than one half way ,or completely out over the line. RULE 5 UNHITCHING Teams shall stay hooked to the drag at all times ,no unhitching and rehitching may be allowed. RULE 6 ELIMINATION Starting load shall be determined by the superintendent .Added loads in each class at the discretion of the judges ,depending on type of ring .At no time after weight has been decreased may it be increased. time limit; 3 minutes for 2 hitches ,5 minutes for 3 hitches Time shall be kept by the announcer or appointed time keeper . The drag may not be pulled out and reset by the pit crew unless they are unable to reset between the lines or agreed upon by all teamsters .Teams shall remain in the ring at all times until they are dismissed by the superintendent .In case of a tie on longest distance ,the second longest distance already pulled will take top placing .No teamster may be changed after pulling the first load ,in any class ,except in an emergency .Then only when permitted by the judges with consent of the majority of other teamsters in the class. There shall be no assistance from evener tenders other than hitching . There shall be no heading of horses WHAT-SO EVER, Teams to be driven by one teamster only . One inch or more constitutes a hitch ,starting point shall be properly marked to indicate same starting point for all loads . Any situation that may arise and are not covered by these rules ,decision shall be left to the discretion of the judges. IN SHORT PULLS ,WHEN TOP TEAMS QUIT ,ONE TEAM MUST HITCH TO WINNING LOAD TO PROVE HIS WIN. BREAKDOWN: An actual separation ,breaking or bending of equipment shall constitute a breakdown .Chains or straps not properly secured are not considered a breakdown. In the event teamster wishes credit for distance pulled before breakdown ,it will count as a hitch. OVER THE RAIL: If a horses foot strides over the line ,it will count as a hitch ,with no count for distance pulled . Teams must remain within the lines while hitched to the drag . ANY TEAM DELIBERATELY DRIVEN OVER THE LINE SHALL BE DISQUALIFIED FROM CONTEST. RULE 7 -TIME LIMIT Time limit shall be five minutes in distance pulls ,unless otherwise agreed upon by the teamsters. Time starts when the drag is moved . Time limit to hook on shall be 3 minutes . Horses or oxen that do not go a total of 25 ft in the first minute will be asked to unhitch. RULE 8 -USE OF REINS On horses the very light use of reins on the hind quarters only . No over /under will be allowed. Reins shall not be doubled up , no electrical or electronic devices allowed, no open bridles will be allowed. RULE 9 -HELPERS Any number of helpers will be allowed to help hitch ,after hitch -on there shall be two helpers only . The helpers shall stay behind the drag unless needed to help teamster with snarls and turns. RULE 10 -GENERAL All participants shall be properly dressed. Proper language must be used at all times. Any participant under the influence shall be disqualified from the contest. Test may be made to determine intoxication. The drinking of intoxication beverages in or around the ring is prohibited. RULE 11-USE OF DRUGS Use of drugs or stimulants on any competing animal is prohibited. The fair or person conducting the contest reserves the right to test any animal . The owner and teamster found to have used a drug on any competing animal shall be barred from pulling for two years , as required by section 74-A chapter 226 RULE 12-TEAMSTERS teamster must stay behind horses rumps at all times when pulling RULE 13 - BARRIERS A substantial barrier shall be maintained at the end of the ring toward which the pull is proceeding ,so as to prevent or impede run- aways. RULE 14 -WEIGHTS There will be 100 lbs tolerance on draft steers after labor day weekend . RULE 15- CONDITION OF ANIMALS Any animal which is thin or dehydrated ,or is lame ,OR SHOWS OPEN SORES, The directors shall make the decision if the animal shall be allowed to pull , relieving the superintendent of some of his work load. RULE 16- INSURANCE Before a team is allowed to pull the owner shall provide a certificate of insurance in the amount of $300,000. RULE 17 Base load of 5400 lbs. in two lb rock class. RULE 18 One blanket outside of harness is permissible by this association . RULE 19 Horses only , at the finish of the pull ,only the top half may enter the next class.
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