Some notes penned by Percy Trollope, circa 1980:
The coming of the steam tractor in 1884, and later the internal combustion engine fitted to farm tractors, showed the first signs that the heavy farm horse was on its way out. This source of power had been used for hundreds of years. It was over fifty years after the first use of tractors we saw the last of the heavy horses being used on farms.
There is a great history attached to the different types of horses that had been used on mixed farms. One of the most popular breeds was the Shire heavy horse which was used for draught work, such as drawing heavy loads, ploughing and land cultivation.
At this present day and age we see factories producing large quantities of tractors and motor cars, all being catered for by garages and fuel oil pumps. So it was with the heavy horse, the main source of farm power. To continue the supply of horses for the farm there were specialised horse breeders who had certain types for certain work. Farmers who had good class mares would breed their own foals, so as to supply their own needs. Then in the middle there were horse dealers, whose business was to buy and sell horses, but one had to be careful when dealing with them – not to be taken advantage of.
The farmer who wished to breed from his own mares would have them served by the travelling stallion, which travelled over a large area. The owner would advertise in local papers, stating that “Mr. so & so’s” stallion, giving its special name, such as “Pride of the West,” would be standing at “such and such” a public house stable on certain dates.
Owners of stallions also took them to local markets to show them off, usually on or about 1st April. Farmers could then see the stallions and visiting orders could be arranged. Farmers living in that locality having mares to be served, would arrange for the stallion to be brought to their farms. The stallion may have had to make several calls before the mare would accept him. The man in charge of the stallion was always called “The Groom,” even if he was the owner. The fee charged for the use of the stallion was £5 for each mare made pregnant. The groom’s ( stallion owner’s) fee would be 21 shillings. The travelling period for the stallions finished on 1st July. Some travellers would rent their stallions from, or through, the Shire Horse Society.
When the stallion called at a farm there was always a lot of neighing between the stallion and the mares. There always had to be a wooden gate or fence between them, for if the mare was not receptive she would lash out with her front feet as well as her hind ones. If she was receptive the groom would unharness the stallion, except for its bridle; the mare would be brought to the front of the stallion and be served. This was done during May, and if successful the foal would be born during April the following year.
The foal was allowed to be with its mother for several months and was described as “a suckling,” – during that period it had access to its mother’s milk. When the foal was old enough the mare would be put to work for a half a day. This period of work would be lengthened as the foal became self-supporting. When the foals were weaned they were kept in an enclosed yard with access to shelter, and fed on hay, mixed cereals and cut chaff.
When they were about a year old the male foals would be castrated. This used to be a difficult task, but not so today. There were men who had done this sort of veterinary work all their working lives, especially with male sheep lambs. The young horse would first have a hemp halter put on its head; to this would be a long line. It usually took several men to assist the operator in holding the lunging animal. When the horse was tired, long ropes with wide loops would be placed on the ground, and the animal made to stand inside, one loop for the front legs and the other loop for the rear ones. When the horse was in the correct place the loops would be drawn together so as the animal would fall. It could then be trussed up, with someone sitting on its head. The vet could then carry out the operation of castration. After castration the young male horse was referred to as “a gelding.”
When the gelding was between two and three years old, it became necessary to “break it in” for work. The first thing one had to was to get it into an enclosed area where a hemp halter could be put over its head. To this was attached a long line. The animal was made to run round in circles until it was tired and able to be approached. With care and a few kind words, a leather halter was placed on its head. This had blinkers and a “bit” for the mouth.
The colt, as the horse was now called, was then taken to the field which was being ploughed. One horse, usually an old one, was already hitched up to the plough. The colt was placed in front of the old horse, and another horse in front of the colt. A man held the colt by the bridle, and with a pair of reins he drove the front horse. The head carter usually held the plough and all was ready to begin the working life of a new farm cart horse.