‘ they could be the next big thing’

8 min read

WORKING HORSES

Once a vital part of the workforce, the mechanical revolution made horses redundant from the roles in which they once thrived – or did it? Bernard Bale speaks to some of those safeguarding traditions to ensure there is a future for working horses

IN days of old, when wagon wheels rolled, the horse was the living, breathing engine that delivered goods, won battles, provided transport, ploughed fields and saved lives.

Then came the steam engine, the start of a mechanical revolution that goes on from one trendy new invention to another. The horse patiently looks on, grabbing attention wherever he goes, wisely knowing that he is far from being a thing of the past. He is still asked to plough, to deliver, to transport, to thrill and delight. While the broken engine awaits its repair, the horse once again comes to the rescue, uncomplaining but determined to complete its task.

Those gleaming tractors and vehicles will one day be crushed into scrap, but the power of the horse goes on forever. We are going to meet just a few of the many horses still at their magnificent work, toiling alongside humans as they have done for thousands of years.

Tractors and other mechanical vehicles may be brilliant at what they do, but when it comes to getting into those hard-toreach areas of woodland and forests to help with logging, the horse is man’s best friend. Plus, they “really enjoy it”

**As well as appearing at shows and special occasions, the horses of the Hook Norton Brewery still deliver barrels of beer on a daily basis, a tradition they’ve kept alive since 1849**

NICHOLAS CARTER is head coachman at Hook Norton Brewery in Oxfordshire, where horses still deliver barrels of the finest ale as well as being the centre of attention at many special occasions.

“I think one of the greatest points of horses like these is that when you are driving them, you know that you are spanning history,” says Nick. “Yes, there are some modern takes on harnessing and so on, but everything is basically the same as it has been for countless years and it perhaps means more to onlookers than ever.”

Hook Norton Brewery has had a strong relationship with horses since it began back in 1849.

“I wasn’t around then, of course,” says Nick, “but I do know that the horses were a vital part of the team and that is how they are viewed today. We have three at the moment – Brigadier, Balmoral and Nelson. Nelson is really in retirement, but still a big favourite with those coming to the Hook Norton Brewery Visitor Centre. He loves all the attention.

“Brigadier and Balmoral are two fiveyear-old Shires and that might raise the question of whether they might be too young for the job.