The Rawnsley Work Horses
Nicola and David Rawnsley By Charley Snowdon
Rawnsley strive to keep traditions alive by continuing to ride, drive and match plough their herd of heavy horses. “They all live out 24/7, which can be challenging on show days”, says Nicola. “Tempete and Elle are both Comtoises with white manes and tails and with no running water, let alone hot, it can prove a bit challenging!”
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The Comtois is a light French draſt horse that originated in the Jura Mountains on the border between Switzerland and France. The breed is distinguished by their flaxen manes and tails and very little feathering to their legs. Used as calvary horses back in the 16th century in its native France, these horses can still be found pulling timber and working in vineyards. They are also used for draſt work and as pleasure mounts. Blessed with strong joints and hard hooves, the Comtois is hardy and strong with great endurance, lively gaits and energy levels. “They are the second most popular breed of horse in France but are also bred for meat”, explains Nicola. “They are nearly always chestnut or bay and are very tough and surefooted. They have very little feather, so their legs don’t get clogged with mud when working the plough.”
When we think of heavy horses, we oſten think of 18hh plus, Shires and Clydesdales; all five of Nicola and David’s heavy horses are under 15.2hh. “We didn’t want anything too big and they partner up and travel perfectly in our Ifor Williams 505, with the plough on the back which we pull with our old Land Rover”, says Nicola. “On match days they will oſten show their larger counterparts up, as they work just as well if not better, and will go all day. They are also all good doers and will happily live out all year, looking and working well on just a bit of sugar beet mixed with some supplements; we additionally hay them in the winter and that’s it.”
Island life obviously comes with its benefits, and being able to
p in the Isle of Man, lives a very special couple and their treasured work horses, Duke, Jack, Tempete, Elle and Finale. Both, born and bred Islanders, Nicola and David
control the comings and goings of its shores and bringing the number of Covid cases down to zero has to be one of them, but Nicola admits it can also be quite restrictive. “There are no Shire stallions leſt on the Island and Finale got her name as she was the last heavy horse to be bred here by Claire Christian”, explains Nicola. “You can’t just go to an auction and buy horses like you can on the mainland, hence why all our horses, apart from Finale, were bought and brought over.”
The Island hosts two main shows in the summer, The Royal Manx and The Southern District Agricultural; Nicola and David both look forward to and support these years on out. Both shows are highlights of the rural calendar and celebrate the best of the Islands farming, livestock and traditions. “Of course, this year has been different, but we would usually enter the Best Mare, Pair of Heavy’s, Ride and Drive and Agricultural classes”, explains Nicola. “The amount of equipment we have to take with us is incredible, plus I have to change outfits three or more times myself! Getting the horses turned out to show standard is hard work with them living out, and that’s not even mentioning all the cleaning and preparation of all the harness and tack!”
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THE AUTUMN SPECIAL 2020
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