The intense racing action is what all equestrian enthusiasts love. The thrill of watching a speeding horse jump over the rails is unmatched. While the horses were traditionally used for transport, the racing aspect was always. However, there is more to the history of these beautiful creatures.

Back in the day, horses were a crucial part of the farming system, particularly plowing. With time, new technologies arrived and the use of horses in daily life declined. However, the FEI TV unveiled a long-forgotten special breed of horses, which are still employed to do farming, that too on a large scale.

FEI introduces the equestrian world to Percherons

As part of its original series, RIDE, FEI posted the teaser of its new episode on Instagram. “This month Ride from FEI Originals presented by Longines we visit Harbridge Farm in Hampshire, one of the last bastions of real horsepower, where Percherons still tend the land”, the caption read. The equestrian show aims to give limelight to the forgotten breed, Percherons, which are still as good for farming as any modern technology.

Percherons are a special breed of horses that originated from the Huisine River valley in Western France. Western France was a part of the former Perche province, and the Porcheron name was derived from the same. While these horses are usually grey or black, they are known for their willingness to work. Because of the same, the 1800s Farm in Hampshire only use Percherons for farming on their 265-acre land.

Harbridge Farm knows Percheron worth

Harbridge Farm in Hampshire has been owned by the Sampson family since 1882. Farming with horses has always been a part of its history, and so has its current owner Robert Sampson. Expressing his love for the Porcherons, Sampson said, “If you cut my arm off, it will have Porcherons written over it.” He and his wife have trained over 350 Percherons till now.

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Sampson believes that Percherons are by far the easiest of horses to use. His father, with the same belief, had bought horses in the 1950s when everyone was getting rid of them. Despite the advent of new-age technologies, the family still uses horses for farming in its 265-acre land.

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