The British Festival of the Working Horse 2012

Horses are worked in vines, soft fruit production and in orchards throughout Europe, particularly in small scale and in organic production. Horses still have to find a secure place in Britain for this work.

With a growing awareness of the difficulties associated with chemical pest and weed control, horses will develop their role in Britain; this is an important market for future horse work.

Horses will be worked, modern horse drawn fruit growing and vineyard techniques and implements will be demonstrated. European exponents and experts will be on hand to elaborate. Innovatory equipment will be judged for the Charlie Pinney Memorial Award for Innovation in Horse Work Machinery.

Part demonstration, part competition and all celebration it is not to be missed.

Two Belgian/Norik crosses in the vines.

Living horse power is cheap and readily available. We can breed horses, without limit, without endangering the planet.We know a lot about them and how to use them. They can pull things for us, carry us, help support our society, feed it and enable it to function. They can do so far better than they did in the past if we take advantage of some of the technical advances made in agriculture and machinery design. They can be fed from our fields. They don't destroy the environment but enhance it. They create employment, not replace it. They are a source of companionship in the workplace, a source of pride and pleasure when seen to be working to perfection in harmony with man and his surrounding. Why on earth don't we use them?

Charlie Pinney. 2003.