The Horse Bench or "Cheung-Kiu-Dang" was once the most ubiquitous weapons in all of China. Easily accessible in any Chinese Restaurant from right under one's backside. The Horse Bench can be used as both a short and long range weapon. Only a few Traditional Chinese Martial Systems teach true Horse Bench sets. Choy Li Fut is one Southern Chinese system to teach this useful piece of Chinese History.

The Horse Bench is shaped like a common sawhorse, except that the top is flat so that it can be used as a seat. It is approximately two feet high and four-to-five feet in length. The seat is between six and eight inches wide.

Not only were Horse Benches used in restaurants, they were also used in homes when people could not afford more expensive chairs. Naturally when fights broke out anywhere people were eating or drinking, the Horse Bench was among the first things employed as weapons.

Although not as long as the Staff or Spear, the Horse Bench is classified as a long weapon in Chinese Martial Arts circles. This was because it is usually wielded with both hands and most of its techniques are Double-Ended Staff movements. The turning of the waist generates power with the ends of the Horse Bench. Of course, not all of its techniques are Double-Ended Staff actions. There are large sweeping motions called "Lo Shi Poon Lung" or "Dragon Coiling Around the Tree Roots" and also Cartwheels and Shoulder Rolls across the top of the Bench.

The most common Horse Bench techniques are left or right pokes with the ends called "Cheung" or "Spearing". The legs of the Bench can also be brought sharply upward as an "Uppercut" strike called "Jong" or used to trap other weapons. The Horse Bench is even used like a giant "Hammer" when held at one end and brought crashing down upon the opponent's head.

Since the Horse Bench is a heavy weapon (15-to-20 pounds), it is very useful for building the strength and stamina of students today while also improving their balance and coordination.

The Horse Bench is a good representation of the resoursefulness and creativity of ancient fighters in China, who not only found ways to utilize every available tool and implement, but also developed sound and effective fighting techniques which are still useful