A new display at the Assiniboine Park Zoo gives visitors the chance to experience part of Manitoba's pioneer history.

The McFeetor's Heavy Horse Centre opened up in late August, and features four Percheron horses, along with a barn, pastures, paddocks, and a carriage shed.

Exhibit supervisor, Shane Pratt, says the display represents an important part of Manitoban and Canadian history.

"Heavy horses played a really important historical role in the building of Canada, from things like railroads to simply plowing fields. They were really, really important in bringing people around the country and around the city and townsites, and it's really interesting exhibit because it has kind of a historical component, which a lot of animal exhibits are missing," he says.

Pratt thinks the exhibit plays a valuable role in terms of teaching more urbanites about agriculture.

"You know, we're a few generations past when people really used heavy horses for everything. [Recent] generations -- and mine, too -- we never had to use heavy horses for getting ice delivered or getting milk delivered, or getting fruits and vegetables or having to plow fields."

The exhibit will run year-round and offer daily wagon rides from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.