...Our resident Shire Horses have been at Westons for 8 years.
They regularly give dray rides down to the village and back and, on the days when they are not out, can often be seen in the stables.
They also attend community events and shows and can be hired for weddings and other events.
For weddings, we offer the choice of our traditional dray, or an elegant Landau as a carriage. If you wish to view the horses or carriages, or you would like more information or a quotation, please telephone Rose Manns, Visitor Centre Manager on: 01531 660108 or e-mail her at rose.manns@westons-cider.co.uk
The Shire horse is the tallest of the modern draught breeds and can be black, brown, bay or grey. A stallion may stand to 18 hands high or more, and weigh a tonne.
Despite their size they are also known as the "gentle giants" of the equine world. They are well known for their docile temperament and incredible stamina.
Shire horses have dense rounded bodies, broad backs, strong loins, powerful hind-quarters, and long legs with dense bones. They have relatively large, wide-set and expressive eyes and their noses are rather convex ("Roman"). Perhaps their most distinctive feature is their long silky hair (often white) on the lower parts of their legs. The hair down the back of the legs is called the "feather", while the hair over the feet is known as the "spats".
Tom regularly drives the horses at Westons, shows, weddings, other events, as well as cider deliveries to local pubs from time to time. He also leads Senator "in hand" (walking him round without the dray) at shows.
Nobby and Senator are always kept clean and healthy. They are well looked after and loved like our own pets. Their shoes are changed every six weeks and they are wormed every nine weeks.
Morning:
- Have breakfast
- Groomed
- Washed and dried
- Harnessed up ready for dray rides (not every day)
Afternoon:
- Finish work at 3.30pm
- Have a bath
- Have tea
- Get turned out in the field / orchard for the night.