Rules prefixed O apply to Oxen only. Rules prefixed H apply to Horses only. Rules prefixed P apply to Ponies only. All other rules apply equally to Horses, Ponies & Oxen

1. Fairs pull events committee which shall be charged with promulgating and enforcing all rules and guidelines pertaining to pull events in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The committee shall consist of two members representing the Mass Department of Food & Agriculture, the Mass. Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Mass Fairs Association, Pull Superintendent, Pull judges, pony pull association, horse pull association and the oxen pull association.

2. There shall be a fair superintendent and up to three judges in charge at all drawing contest. They shall be vested with the authority to disqualify any team or driver for any cause that in their judgment might be detrimental to the best interest of the public, animals or the organization conducting the contest. An official will be designated to determine the proper use of the reins, whip or goad stick.

3. The judges and superintendent shall be qualified in stone boat contests and shall have full jurisdiction to decide the weight of the load at any time and to decide anything relative to the actual drawing.

4. Any individual, firm or corporation found guilty of administering drugs which may affect the conduct, actions, endurance, strength, speed or performance of any animal competing in any pulling competition within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, shall forfeit all prize monies won that day. First offense would consist of a $500.00 fine and a 30 day suspension. Second offense will result in a $1,000 fine and a 1 year suspension, a third offense will result in the teamster being barred for life. (All fines payable to the Mass Fair Association).

5. Any owner and/or teamster who has been convicted, or found in violation in any other states statute relating to the use of drugs or stimulants, or other animal protection statute shall be barred from participation in any contest, in this state, for the period prescribed by the state.

6. Any team disqualified by an agent of Humane Society appointed under Chapter 22C, Section 57, of the M.G.L. shall be taken out of the contest immediately. Before any team is taken out, there should be consultation among the Humane Society, superintendent and judges, and may be announced to the public by the judges.

7. All participants will be properly dressed. Any exhibitor, judge or superintendent who had been drinking alcoholic beverages will be disqualified from the contest and removed from pulling area. Breathalyzers may be used at pulling events to determine if an individual has been drinking. The drinking of alcoholic beverages in and around the ring is prohibited. Any foul or abusive language to the public or anyone connected with the draw, by the driver or his helpers, will cause the driver and team to be disqualified immediately. First offense may result in fines up to $250.00, and 2 weeks suspension; Second offense may result in a one-year suspension and fines up to $1,000; Third offense teamster will be barred for life. If a teamster is fined, the teamster will not be able to pull until the fines are paid. (All fines payable to the Mass Fair Association).

8. Sores and abrasions caused or likely to be irritated by the bearing surface of harnesses or yokes will deem the animal unfit for use in the contest, decision to be made by superintendent or judges. Any lame animal will not be allowed to pull. Lameness, mechanical in nature and doesn't cause pain or suffering as certified by a licensed veterinarian on a health certificate dated within the previous twelve months will be allowed to pull.

9. Teams deemed uncontrollable or teamsters losing control will be immediately disqualified by the Superintendent or judges and removed from the contest.

10. HP - All horses and ponies to compete in contest, other than Free-For- All teams, shall be weighed in no earlier than three hours before competition. Check weighing will be permitted before the three hour period only. Horses must wear halters while on scale. All horses and ponies will be weighed in the presence of a delegate appointed by the fair, organization or person who is conducting the contest. The delegate shall present weigh-bill to the teamsters, a copy of which is to be kept by  said delegate, certifying the horses or ponies name and description as verified by a coggins certified, the exact time of weighing. The scale shall be balanced with a person standing on same, this person will hold all horses or ponies  . The person holding horses or ponies shall be appointed by the delegate if he/she is unable to do this himself/herself. The delegate must sign the weighing certificate.

11. O - All oxen will be weighed in front of the sponsoring delegate, all weight classes shall be under 2400 lbs., 2400 lbs-2800 lbs-3200 lbs and Free-For-All.

12. O - All weight classes will increase 100 lbs. for the Labor Day weekend events and remain until the end of the season.

13. P - All ponies must be measured to pull in contest. All ponies not to exceed 50 inches, to be measured from the bottom of the coronary to the 3rd vertebra and 2nd grove, with caliper and level. With a time limit of three (3) minutes for owner or his representative to hold the pony by the halter and with voice command place pony on 30 x 60 inch pad. All weight classes shall be Under 1200 lbs., 1200-1400 lbs; 1400-1800 lbs and over.

14. H - Horse weight classes; 1 day event, less than 3000 lbs., - 3000 lbs.-3300 lbs., -3300 lbs.-3600 lbs. Free-For-All. 2 day events weights will be at the discretion of the fair.

15. HPO - Once a team has been weighed in, there will be no switching of horses, ponies or oxen. Split owner teams will be allowed to compete for premiums. Any horses, ponies or oxen claimed owner will remain with his horse, pony, or oxen for the duration of contest.

16. HPO - Starting load: maximum load of 4000 lbs. for all weight classes and 5000 lbs. for Free-For-All classes. Added loads in each class at the discretion of the judges depending on type of pit. At no time after weight has been decreased, may it be increased.

17. Pulling positions to be determined by the drawing of numbers just before the starting of each class.

18. All teamsters to compete in contest shall have their teams ready at the published time, and must attend drivers meeting. All classes will close at the completion of the first heat in each class.

19. There shall be a time limit of five (5) minutes. Time will be taken out while the boat is positioned for the next hitch. The time will be kept by the announcer, or appointed time-keeper.

20. Method of pull: Three hitches with a 5-minute time limit. The boat to be pulled back to the starting pin after hitch.  There will be no heading of horses. Teams to be driven by one teamster only. Starting point of the boat shall be properly marked to indicate same starting point for all loads. The distance of each pull will be measured from the center of the boat to the most recent pin. All teams will be allowed three (3) hitches to qualify the load. The boat shall be returned to starting pin after each hitch.

21. P - Use of reins is prohibited for any other purpose than to guide the team. Hats and hands on hind-quarters only. Hands must be in sight at all times.

22. HO - 1 inch or more constitutes a hitch.

23. P - 3 inches or more constitutes a hitch.

24. Breakdown: An actual separation, braking or bending of equipment shall constitute a breakdown. In the event teamster and/or owner wishes credit for the distance the boat moved before breakage, it will constitute a hitch

25. Over the rail: If an animals foot strikes dirt outside the rail, it constitutes a hitch with no credit for the distance pulled. Teams must remain within the rail while hitched to the boat.

26. Any team deliberately driven over the rail will be disqualified from the contest.

27. All teams shall remain in the ring, at all times, until class is completed.

28. In case of a tie on longest distance, the second longest distance already pulled will take the top placing.

29. Changing Teamsters: No teamster may be changed after pulling the first load in any class except in emergency. Then only when permitted by the judges.

30.. HP - Interference of Evener Men. No assistance other than hitching.

31. O - Hitchers will not be allowed to twist tails or use the chain or any other device to stimulate the cattle. They cannot carry anything in their hands but the chain to hitch the cattle. They then shall stand back of the boat at a distance prescribed by the judge.

32.. Classes shall be as publicized in Premium Booklet only.

33.. O - A twisted whip with a braided lash or a goad stick may be used in the pit or on the fairgrounds. The goad stick must not be over 4 ft. long and must not exceed half inch diameter on the small end. The goad stick may be taped with friction tape but not weighted. The goad shall have no brad in it. No plastic goads are allowed. Any driver causing a welt, swelling or drawing blood with the whip or goad stick will be fined $100.00 dollars per infraction. Second offenses may include suspensions.

34.. O - The whip or goad stick shall only be used to guide the oxen outside of the pit area. The whip or goad stick may be used lightly to place the oxen, after being hitched to the boat. Then the oxen may be touched once only to start the boat and once only while the boat is in motion.

35.. O - The chain shall not be hitched to the boat while it is under, around or in front of the oxen's legs. (Only when the chain is between the animals.)

36. O - No driver shall strike the ox in the face or anywhere about the head with the whip or goad stick.

37. The only persons allowed in the pit area are Fair Officials, drivers, the person hitching the boat, agents of the Humane Society appointed under Chapter 22C, Section 57, M.G.L. and the Bureau of Fairs Inspectors, only pertinent personnel allowed.

38. O - All calves over the age of twelve (12) months must be castrated to show or enter any classes.

39. O - Age of oxen and steers should be judged as of day of event.

40. H - The number of times a horse draws will be left up to the discretion of the fair.

41. OHP - No animals will be blind folded.

42.. H - In horse pulls the use of reins as a whip is prohibited. The light use of the reins on entry to the pit  and while team is making its draw , will be limited to that area from the root of the tail to the bottom of the round. IN A SIDE ARM MOTION ONLY. Hands must be in sight at all times . The use of reins after the boat has stopped or any place on the grounds is prohibited.

43. The pit will be covered the day before the draw, when it is possible.

44. Participation in pulling events within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has been determined to be a privilege and not a right. Participation in these events are discretionary. Individuals are only permitted to enter these contests if the judges, superintendents and fairs deem it advisable. Individuals who blatantly disregard these rules and regulations and place animals or the public at risk will not be allowed entry to these family events.

45 If an incident should arise and warrants a hearing, a majority of the Massachusetts Agricultural Fair Associations pulling events committee can make a decision pertaining to, but not limited to disciplinarian action.

46. Any variation of these rules shall be in the spirit of aforesaid rules and at the discretion of the judges.