Shire horses put through their paces

Passing on skills and traditions of the past to a new generation was the aim of a special show focusing on shire horses and their importance in history.

Around 200 people turned out to watch the now rare animals put through their paces at Trinity Farm, in Kinver, yesterday.

A special obstacle course was set up at the farm, in Sandy Lane, to show how shire horses were used to pull heavy timber for construction in the past.

It also provided owners with the chance to learn skills which are fading into history and which many are desperate to preserve for future generations. Around 10 shire horses took part in the day-long event which attracted owners from all over the Midlands.

The show was organised by the West Midlands Heavy Horse Association as part of its efforts to get more people to take an interest in the horses, once a familiar sight around the Black Country.

Shire and Clydesdale horses are now more rare than mountain gorillas, tigers and giant pandas. Chairman of the association Graham Turner said it had been a wonderful event.

"Our aim is to keep the traditions and history of the working horse alive and events like this help us to do that," he said.

"It is also valuable as it teaches present owners the skills their ancestors would have used the horses for.

"Unfortunately there is not the opportunity now to practice these techniques on many occasions and as a result they are starting to die out.

"This is what we are trying to stop from happening and to pass the traditions on to a new generation. We would like to thank everyone who attended."