The Helping Horse

19/06/2024

Amazing horses 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 once again. This time removing bracken without harmful chemicals. Contact Hitch In Farm Working Horses for more information.

Bracken rolling, in the summer months we do contract work smashing up Bracken with a roller, walking many a mile! Bracken is a big problem in the UK (livestock can't eat it and it's carcinogenic) and is usually controlled using some fairly nasty chemicals (actually banned in the EU). The horses are able to access areas which are steep and narrow where other machinery can't access. They pull a roller which crimps and bruises the bracken. This bleeds the bracken, and draws on its resources as it tries to heal itself. If you cut it off at the base you strengthen the roots and don't weaken the plants to the same extent. If the process is repeated over 3 years and the correct stocking of animals is put on the site to keep on top of things, you will be rid of your Bracken problems!

Think it's smashing? Help it get seen!

14/06/2024

These photos show how 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬 can be in the mud. They were taken in January 2018 but came up on my Facebook memories from 5 years ago so I thought I'd share them. Working alongside the horses was an absolute pleasure but being able to talk to people we passed going to and from the work site about the work they were doing was an important part of the day too.

04/02/2024

Fabulous news about an amazing place. Looking forward to visiting Acton Scott Heritage Farm when it re-opens, and catching up with their equines :)

03/02/2024

Sunrise

13/01/2024

Bow likes ice! The other bath had plenty of water in it (photo in the comments) but she preferred to crunch.
Do you have a horse that likes to eat ice?

08/01/2024

Another example of the amazing work horses can do.

Natural Resources Wales will use horse power to remove infected trees from ancient woodlands. NRW’s Forest Operations and Land Management teams will turn back the clock to use traditional forestry skills to thin an area of sensitive woodland in Fforest Fawr near Tongwynlais, on the outskirts of Ca...

28/12/2023

So wonderful to see 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 in all sorts of environments. Do you have a project that a working horse could help with?

A beautiful Belgian draught horse has been helping with restoration work on the Grantham Canal, which passes through the Vale of Belvoir.

30/11/2023

Arrived to fill hay nets today and the horses were at the top of the field catching the early sunshine - so sensible.
Tom came and kept me company but they did have plenty of hay out :)