Saddling up to promote history of rare breeds

A horse owner who loves to take out her rare breeds says they are like members of her family.

Mrs Judith Rak, 41, of Farndon, has an eight-year-old shire horse, Venus, and a five-year-old Clydesdale, Joey.

She took the horses to The Plough pub, Swinderby, to show them off and promote the breeds.

Clydesdales, which are Scottish in origin, and shires, which are English, were once common sights as they pulled heavy machinery across farmland.

Since the mechanisation of farming, however, they have become increasingly rare.

Mrs Rak said: “If there is an opportunity to promote the breed then I try to.

“It is difficult to get these animals out and about and seen by locals. When you do, people are in such awe of them.

“The fact they are not used to work the land any more means they are coming on to the rare breeds list.

“They are magnificent animals.”

Mrs Rak said heavy horses could do almost anything a smaller breed was capable of.

“They are lovely hacking horses and a friendly family member as well,” she said.

“We love them and they are capable of showing that love back.”

'A bond that cannot be put into words'

Mrs Rak said the horses were like her family.

Venus is 17.2 hands high and weighs 840kg, while Joey is 18.2 hands, weighs 760kg and is still growing.

“Both are extremely loving, intelligent and oozing character,” said Mrs Rak.

“We have such a bond that cannot be put into words.

“I am passionate about promoting the breeds because there is so much they can do.

“They are wonderful hacking horses and mine love to go on ambles and do heavy horse dressage.”

Mrs Rak said the horses were an integral part of British heritage because of their historic role in agriculture.

“It is very easy for people to forget if it is not at the forefront of their minds,” she said.

“At country shows, families and children are in awe when they see these magnificent animals.”