Driving with West Highland Heavy Horses

Traditionally these "gentle giants" were used for everyday work in a variety of ways, from taking the farmer and his family to church on a Sunday to ploughing, harrowing, carting, harvesting....you name it the horse did it! In cities such as Glasgow all transport was by horse, either trams or horse-buses, and all goods were thus transported by horse. In this day and age its hard to imagine the total reliance we had upon the horse to keep life moving.

AT ARMADALE CASTLE GARDENS

Tours and Training Weekends/Options

TOURS

So although we now work in the riding sector we still enjoy driving, so run a passenger dray at Armadale Castle Gardens.... we also do occasional farm-work with the carthorses, Max has done timber work, both Jock and Prince farm work, and all three now work the dray. Tommy is next in line for some in-house training so he might well be there this year!
Over the summer months you will often find us at Armadale Castle taking interested folk for a trip along the coast with stunning views across to the West Coast of Scotland. The trip has a lively commentary and you will find out more about the individual horses, the scenery and local news and views. We do various lengths of tour to cater for those with more, or less time available, and are available for private bookings, prices on request. We see a multitude of sea-birds such as Herons and Oyster-catchers, often Seals ,and occasionally the elusive Otter.

There really is something wonderful in seeing these big horses plodding along, at a steady pace, the regular clop of heavy hooves on tarmac....its like going back in time to the days when life moved at a slower pace....the tour really does convey a sense of peace and relaxation. The tours run regularly during July and August on a daily basis, you simply turn up, but to avoid disappointment its always worth a 'phone call in case of staff/horse illness or Show attendance, and outwith these months we run part-time; again, phone to check times or ask at the local Tourist Office -the staff should know as we DO tell them!!!! We hope you enjoy your trip with us!! We do, incidentally, take well-behaved (non-barking!!) dogs many of whom love the trips also.

Training Weekends

We run very personalised and hands-on teaching/training weekends over the spring and autumn , these vary enormously in content ranging from a total beginners weekend where you will learn the basics of horse management right through to driving the dray along the coastline, to those for experienced riders wishing to learn to drive where we can move more swiftly and you can learn more complex manoeuvres such as reversing, turns and what to do in emergencies...I can teach up to the Heavy Horse Road Driving Assessment levels NVQ II (single horse) and III (pair horses). We also offer these weekends with a riding option so you can enjoy a tour of the vicinity from horse-back...the same horse you are working with!

An example ITINERARY with us for a beginner with the riding option put in, would be :

FRIDAY NIGHT: Introduction

Arrival, find accommodation, settle in!
Meet the horses (bring a carrot!)
Personal introductions over meal/drink.
Introduction to your weekend, your expectations, your personal itinerary re driving/riding options, weather forecast etc some Equine discussion.
Harness familiarisation, various, from 'American' to plough gear

SATURDAY:Harness and Harnessing Up

AM: Introduction to above

Catching leading and handling ‘heavies’
Grooming, feet and why we do all of this, basic equine psychology, checking horses over, working around them. Attempt plaiting tails if you fancy!
Demonstration of harnessing using our webbing Driving gear
Harnessing up – yourself!

After a quick lunch:

PM: Harnessing the horses up ..........again so you really DO know what you are doing and why!

Long reining demonstration then do it yourself (single and pair horses)
Pulling an implement – for fun!
Dependant on the time and how you feel physically we might go to the dray to look at "putting to" i.e. putting the horses into the dray
If your option is to ride then this is a good time to do so, your 'heavy horse' trek to the beach and/or the peace of the woods

SUNDAY:Driving A Pair Of Horses

AM: Catch, groom, check horses and harnessing up which you will be good at now!

Long-rein the horses to the dray – discuss ‘putting to’, demonstration then … do it yourself - with a watchful assistant!

Quick Lunch

PM: Continuing with our beautifully crafted dray then a drive along the stunning coastline and quiet roads of the beautiful Sleat Peninsula

This is your opportunity to take the reins and feel in control of almost two tonnes of our magnificent horses –an experience you’ll never forget!!!
Finale – untacking and saying goodbye
Again you have opportunity for a ride if you wish and if time permits

NB: You will be assisted and accompanied at all times by qualified, experienced staff.

Obviously this is just a guide-line, but gives you a taste of what is offered to those with little or no equine experience.

For these weekends to run I need a minimum of two people, preferably of the same, or similar level of experience, a reasonable level of fitness and a love of being around these wonderful horses. Off "season" I can run them mid-week if that fits both our schedules: the best thing to do, if you find this interesting, is call me to discuss your requirements and I can advise you accordingly and send you, either by post or e-mail, more information.

We also attend a variety of Shows where the horses work pulling the dray , for example you may well see us at Blair Castle every August for the Country Fair and Three day event amongst other attractions and competitions.
I hope that those of you who come to see and work with our beautiful gentle Clydesdales with their mellow and forgiving nature will have the opportunity to re-awaken within themselves the wonderful feeling of being close to such quiet and gentle, trusting creatures. I myself feel privileged to work with them, I always feel at peace with the world when working in harmony with them.

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