The Publishers and Author have kindly allowed us to include a few brief extracts from the book, which hopefully convey the essence of the text
August 16th
Today we dressed Bella in all her finery for the first time - collar, saddle and
breeching, which resulted in her bucking, rearing and nearly mowing us down. Twice the
breeching came off, but we put it back on - and then she refused to move at all.
“She’s in a state of shock,” Diane decided. So we gently coaxed her forward
until she walked around calmly and reasonably steadily. After such frenetic activity, the
breeching is in need of a few stitches.
September 3rd
I dared! I didn’t do any work in the field, but having put on roller, bridle and long
reins, I took her straight on to the drive. Q held her while I sorted out the reins and
whip and then we set off. She went superbly. I was so excited and exhilarated. It was
tempting to keep on but I wanted to quit while the going was good so I turned her in a
stubble field half way up to the yellow gate. There was a split second when she was faced
with a huge open field ghat I could have lost her, but I turned her steadily back on to
the drive, and the moment was gone. Pony nuts for Bella and a glass of wine for me - well
done both of us!
September 25th
We set to ploughing today with Samba and Noble. Roger showed us how to measure out,
starting some four or five yards from the edge of the field, skimming first and then
keeping the furrow wheel firmly against the edge of the furrow wall. With horses like
those two it wasn’t nearly as difficult as I’d imagined, but then those two
horses know exactly what they are doing. It’s fantastic to hear Roger mutter 'Get in
the furrow Sam' and see that great Percheron obediently sidestep his huge feet into the
right place, or he says 'Just try it' and the horse takes one measured step. A
surprisingly light touch was needed on the plough handles and turning at the end was much
easier than I’d thought too. You make the horses do all the work, leaning the plough
on its back (i.e. the left) rather than on the breast. 'The aim,' said Roger, 'is to keep
the surface level.' No wonder he put us to plough in a field that couldn’t be seen
from the road! It was a thrilling experience; if you’ve never walked the furrow
behind a pair of horses you simply haven’t lived. The experience defies description.
I can’t wait to try with Bella but Roger advises first that I lead her in the furrow,
then long-rein in the furrow (apparently they often try to walk anywhere but in the
furrow) and then pull a log along the furrow - several times before actually attaching the
plough. That all seems to make good sense - I’m glad I didn’t just launch into
the field with Bella plus plough in my usual cavalier way.
November 27th
Gloom, despair, depression. We attached the chains and whipple tree and before she’d
even tried to walk normally, she bolted back to her stable, crashing into the fence on the
way. We took her out of the stable, disentangled everything and then put on the saddle and
full breeching. To our amazement she took is quite calmly and then we long-reined her
round the yard. It is tempting to give up sometimes.
But she didn’t! Read the whole story in 'Greater Than All Things'.
This book is available to our readers as a Special Offer of £6.95 - please refer to our
BOOK REVIEW Section.
The Author of 'Greater Than All Things' strongly recommends hands-on experience -
(preferably before buying the horse!) - but whether you do already a horse awaiting
training or if you would just like to have some contact with Heavy Horses before venturing
on such a bold experience, we strongly recommend that you join a Heavy Horse Association,
where you will find all the help and support you need.
One of the largest such Association is the Southern Counties Heavy Horse Association which
has a membership ranging all over Southern England. Membership will provide excellent
value in the form of practical talks, events and hands-on days (and lots of new friends
into the bargain).
Their next ‘hands-on’ day for anyone wishing to learn to harness and drive a
horse to vehicle is being held on April 18th - at the home of Chairman Brian Withers, in
Waterlooville, Hants. Full details from the Association -
Southern Counties
Heavy Horse Association |
Another event for your Diary - for anyone who loves to
watch Heavy Horses in action is the Spring Working, which this year is on Sunday 11th
April.
| The Southern Counties
Heavy Horse Association 1999 SPRING WORKING of Heavy Horses and Progress Day The Demonstration of Modern Horse Drawn Machinery SUNDAY 11th APRIL 1999 from 10.30am Working Horse Displays Timber Snigging, Show Drays and Farm Wagons, Horse-Drawn Farm Implements. Hands On working area for the public See Shires, Percherons, Clydesdales, Ardennes, Suffolks Free car park Adult s £3. Children £1 OAPs £2. Members Free Location: Lower Bisterne Farm, Lower Bisterne, Ringwood, Hants (off the A31, on B3347) |
(Finally) - Editor’s Note: We would be delighted to
have news from other Heavy Horse Associations either in the UK or overseas with details of
your activities and special events
Contact us now on: info@field-galleries.co.uk
Published by Field
Galleries - the web site of Equine Artist Sue Wingate MA RCA
Copyright © Sue Wingate 1999