Hurdles (agricultural)

Hurdles are a form of rural crafts. They are lightweight portable fencing structures that are used to enclose (or 'fold') animals such as sheep (i.e.: a sheepfold). In England & Wales that have often been woven from ash, willow or hazel withies, and made windproof with wattle, and so called 'wattle hurdles'. There are also 'gate hurdles' that are made from split poles.

Related Topics:
Rural crafts - Fencing - Sheepfold - England - Wales - Ash - Willow - Hazel - Wattle

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There is archeological evidence, from the Bronze Age in the England, that wattle hurdles were used before widespread agriculture, to create the sides of large houses.

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Their size is usually suitable for a strong man to carry; between five and six feet long, by three feet high. Gate hurles are several feet longer and higher than wattle hurdles, and consequently heavier. They are placed together in sequence - either being tied, pegged, or staked together in order to form an temporary animal-proof structure.

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Leaping over hurdles, without knocking them down, is suggested as having given rise to the modern Olympics sport of hurdling.

Related Topics:
Olympics - Hurdling

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