"Ode
to the Heavy Horses"
written by
Sandy Thorne for the opening of the Heavy
Horse Field Days - Gatton '98
We love their baldy
faces and their giant feathery
feet,
We love their patience,
working in the dust or mud or
sleet.
Heads bowed into the
weather when Hughie has it
raining,
Or at a hundred in the
waterbag, they plod on,
uncomplaining.
Sweet-natured gentle
giants from the region of the
Clyde,
They'll pull both
plough and sulky and let the children have a
ride.
With the tall,
coal-black Shires they grew this nation's
food,
And snigged the massive
logs that our tough forefathers
hewed.
The Suffolk Punch and
Percherons pulled loads around the
towns,
And with best of all
four breeds combined the Aussie Draught was
found.
We salute the mighty
draughthorses that helped make this country
great,
Majestic beasts of
burden and a loyal, lovely mate.
