Hook Norton Brewery, now one of only a handful of breweries still delivering using traditional Shire horses, has welcomed the latest addition to their equine team.
Joining them from Wales, four-year-old Shire ‘Balmoral’ , who was renamed in tribute to the Late Queen, joins three other Shire horses as colleagues of the brewery. The bay will learn the trade of a dray horse before working alongside his companion Brigadier to deliver beer in the local area, as well as competing around the country atshows and demonstrations.
Balmoral was purchased from Dyfed Shire Horse Farm, who has previously supplied three Shire horses to the Household Cavalry for use as drum horses.
“We’ve been waiting a long time to find another horse suitable to join our first class team and we’re thrilled to finally find one,” said Head Coachman, Nicholas Carter. “Balmoral’s temperament and character is exactly what we’re looking for and hope to have a long successful career with him here at the Brewery.
“He and our other horses will continue keeping traditions alive and securing our working horses legacy and prominence of this ‘at risk’ breed.”
Helping protect native breed
Hook Norton Brewery has recently been granted status as an approved Shire Horse Society centre, marking their commitment to the survival of the breed.
With over 20,000 visitors through its doors each year, the onsite team are passionate about raising the awareness of the risk to our native heavy horse breed.
For more information visit their Facebook page – Hook Norton Brewery Shire Horses – or www.hooky.co.uk
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