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Before the Tractor In Shropshire
Captain is a Percheron, and one of the heavy horses used at Acton Scott Historic Working Farm.
In the 19th century farmers faced an uncertain future. For the first time, there were large-scale imports of cereals from Argentina and North America which were affecting the price of home-grown produce; there was more competition in the meat market; and a series of unusually wet summers had badly disrupted British harvests. Most places were affected – even those like Acton Scott where the very rural location meant they were more removed from the influences of railways and cities.
To help themselves, farmers had to increase their food production, but at the same time save the cost of time and labour. The invention of the horse collar allowed them to do that. Farmers all over the country began to trade in their sluggish oxen for faster, stronger and more intelligent heavy horses.
Raking hay with heavy horses.
Heavy horses could now plough the soil, drill the seed and rake, turn and cart the hay. They could drag the heavy binders at harvest time and cart the stooks of corn home. The entire potato crop was hauled to safety by horse and cart, and autumn wheat was sown by teams working from dawn to dusk.
Listen to memories about horse working
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- Click here to listen to memories about the role of the waggoner
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