History For centuries hurdles were used by sheep farmers to pen sheep into confined areas for grazing or animal welfare. I spoke to an old Wiltshire farmer who remembers men carrying several hurdles each on their backs, supported by a stick over their shoulder. Although men were men back then, weight would have still been an issue and hurdles were built strong but lean. It’s quite likely the athletics sport of hurdling began with these fit young farmers racing each other over their sheep hurdles. Nowadays hurdles are somewhat chunkier given that we don’t physically carry them any great distance. … Continue reading Making a Cleft Sheep Hurdle