On a whim we decided in 2021 to purchase a Clydesdale horse (a particular breed of draft horse originally from Scotland) to complement the large number of old horse-drawn wagons and implements we had placed around the farm. Historically, draft horses were ubiquitous on farms. Their strength and gentle nature made them exceptional workers. The invention of the tractor resulted in the draft horse being made redundant and today precious few of them remain in any working capacity.
Our idea was that the horse would retire to the front paddock providing some interest to anyone driving past. In the event two mares arrived in June 2021. Having had them in a paddock for a while we decided we had better get into harness driving. So three more Clydesdales then arrived. And we began training with harness and carriages. And after that, construction work began on stables, pens, a carriage hall and tack room to house all the equipment we had purchased alongside the horses. Today we have modified tracks around the farm that allow our Clydesdales to pull carts and we ride them around the farm. Our Clydesdales provide a sense of calm and remind us of a time when the pace of life was much slower than it is today.
