Farm News
Help save
Britain’s
heavy horses
Heavy horses were once a familiar
sight in every town and village in the
country, as they managed the land by
pulling drays and ploughing the fields.
» » THE DECLINE BEGAN
during World War One, when
thousands of heavy horses died
whilst hauling heavy artillery
into the trenches. Numbers
steadily increased during the
period in-between the World
Wars, only to drop steeply after
the introduction of tractors.
As the UK embraced
industrialisation with the
mechanisation of transport,
agriculture and industry, there
was consequently no need to
keep them. Now numbers are
falling at an alarming rate – for
example, registered breeding
Suffolk mares have fallen
from 1,334 in 1947 to just 73
in 2017. To make sure these
incredible breeds are safe from
extinction, the Rare Breeds
Survival Trust (RBST) needs to
collect from male heavy horses
for the UK National Livestock
Gene Bank.
“Without this work in a
decade we could lose a breed
forever,” says
Tom Beeston, RBST CEO.
“‘These heavy horses were
here for us when we needed
them, now it’s our turn to act
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3/02/2017 2:00 PM
to save these iconic breeds.
Please make a donation today
and help save the UK’s heavy
horses for the future.”
‘we could lose a
breed forever’
Tel: 02476 696551
Email: [email protected]
Can you help?
The Northcote Heavy Horse
Centre is an animal welfare charity
near Skegness in Lincolnshire,
combining a visitor’s attraction
and an equestrian rescue
sanctuary providing welfare
and a forever home to horses
and other animals in need.
» » THE CENTRE, A
registered charity which is
run entirely by volunteers,
also hosts several major
fundraising events throughout
the year including popular
Medieval Tournaments and
Medieval Banquets.
The Centre is struggling
for funds and financial
support and volunteers are
very worried about the future
for the animals in their care.
They are urgently in
need of materials such as
concrete, hardcore, pavings
slabs and timber. Much of
the yard and stable blocks
also urgently need work
for the safety of volunteers
and animals and anyone
who feels they could help is
asked to get in touch.
Call 07899 815960 or visit
www.northcotehorses.com