Clyde

Clyde is predominantly Percheron, a French breed known for its strength and gentleness. His silver coat is underlain with rocking-horse dapples.

In former times, teams of Percheron horses were used to bring the fish from the French coast to Paris and there is a Fish run re-enactment held from Boulogne every other
year in the autumn.

Ottawa

Ottawa is pure-bred Comtois, another French breed, and one of the oldest breeds of French heavy horse, rarely seen in this country. The Comtois is routinely used for logging in its native region, Franche-Comté. His flaxen mane and tail are in stunning contrast to his bright chestnut coat.

Again, his strength is phenomenal but he has a wonderfully placid temperament. He's also an award winning horse; Ottowa won Best In Show in 2008 at the Working Horse Trust’s Annual Show! Photograph courtesy of Tony Golding – www.heavyhorsephotography.co.uk

Saturne

Ottawa’s son, Saturne, is growing up and learning fast. He has been out a few times paired with Clyde, and it is planned for them to undertake some of the summer rides at Herstmonceux Castle together.

He has been shown once in hand at the 2009 Chertsey Agricultural Show and won the European Breeds class – beating Ottawa! He is a very sweet-natured horse.

Queenie

In December 2008, a registered Comtois mare called Queenie, who had been carted around the European markets for nearly three months, turned up very near to our home and we felt so sorry for her that we bought her.

Since that time, she has slowly been returned to peak condition and has undergone some concentrated training – both being ridden and driven.

As she was already four years old when we found her, her general education has been quite a task – simple things like being tied up or having her feet picked out, which are normally done when a horse is a foal, were quite new for her and presented a challenge for us.

She has now been broken to harness and is doing some of the carriage rides at Herstmonceaux Castle, mainly as a single but sometimes with Ottowa.