Heavy Horses: No. 431 (Shire Library)

Heavy horses played a pivotal role in the development of western economies, toiling in mines and quarries, factories and docks, alongside canals and railways and on farms. But, following the introduction of motorized machinery their number plummeted and some breeds came close to extinction in the 1950s. Interest has been revived and today Shires, Clydesdales, Suffolks and British Percherons attract special attention wherever they are seen, their strength, endurance and magnificence ensuring them a place in the modern world.

This new edition examines the various breeds of heavy horse and their qualities, their historical role, the industry that built up around them and their modern revival, bringing the story up to date and celebrating the work of those whose determination has ensured that heavy horses have a bright future.

Diana Zeuner is the publisher and editor of Heavy Horse World magazine, the only publication in the UK devoted to solely to heavy horses. Her interest in heavy horses began with their introduction to the Weald & Downland Open Air Museum at Singleton in West Sussex, where her late husband, Chris Zeuner, was the Museum Director and had introduced working horses to help interpret the historic building exhibits. After his untimely death in 2001 Diana took over the management of the heavy-horse stables at the museum on a part-time basis. Diana is also editor of the magazine for the Association of Independent Museums and the magazine of the Weald and Downland Open Air Museums