How To Drive Heavy Horses

The Course

A practical outdoor day learning to harness up and drive the Museum’s draught horses in the field and on the track, conducting chain harrowing, shaft and pole work.

The Tutor

Andrew Robinson is the Weald & Downland Museum’s working animals supervisor. He is responsible for taking care of the Museum’s three heavy horses and working with them.

John McDermott has ploughed with Percheron horses since his late teens and now owns four Percherons. His horses are frequently seen demonstrating the St Giles steam fire engine at shows and events. He competes very successfully in heavy horse driving trials and he has won the David Briggs Memorial Trophy. In the first New Forest Heavy Horse Relay he was chef d’equipe for the winning Wessex Percheron Club, collecting the Chris Zeuner Memorial Trophy. He entered the British team this year for the Route du Poisson with his wife Rowena. Last year he entered six ploughing matches and won his class in five of them and was champion in two. Also in 2008 he won the Heavy Horse Obstacle Driving Championships.

Participant Information

Everyone must wear sensible warm and waterproof clothing and suitable steel toe-cap footwear and gloves.

Fee & Refreshments

£110 per person, to include tuition and lunch. Pease bring any other refreshments you may need. If you have any dietary requirements please let us know in advance.

This course is fully booked.  Please email courses@wealddown.co.uk or call 01243 811021 if you wish to be added to the waiting list.

[Sold out