Horse collapses, dies during Pa. Farm Show contest

HARRISBURG - A Belgian draft horse died this week during a pulling competition at the Pennsylvania Farm Show.

The 10-year-old horse, named Mark, died Tuesday after pulling a weighted sled with another horse. The horse that died appeared fit, draft horse owners told the Public Opinion newspaper of Chambersburg.

The Pennsylvania Veterinary Laboratory performed a necropsy and toxicology screening, but results were not available yet, the newspaper reported.

A witness, Tiffany Plessinger, told the newspaper the horse was unhitched after a full pull, took two steps, and fell over. Veterinarians responded quickly, but another witness, Barb Montgomery, said the horse never got up and didn't move. - AP