Vicki steering Buddy and Tommy on a relaxing outing with the Heritage Draught Horse Club.
Imagine spending spring days meandering through the Barmah bushland in a horse-drawn wagon.
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“Good company and good weather, that’s all we hope for,” Heritage Draught Horse Club secretary John Bramley said.
From September 8 to 17, upwards of 20 heavy horse enthusiasts have set up camp at the Barmah Racecourse Reserve.
“We have 11 wagons and 15 horses and we just choof along the Broken Creek between Barmah and Picola, it’s relaxing for us and the horses,” John said.
The Annual Broken Creek Drive is a regular gathering on the club’s calendar.
So too are demonstrations at field days and yesteryear events, where they put on displays of horses working with a variety of vintage implements and vehicles.
Andy and Julie with draught horses Ollie and Ted during the Broken Creek drive between Barmah and Picola.
According to their website, the club’s aim is to promote all aspects of the uses of draught horses in bygone days, and to encourage their use in today’s activities, be it on the land, bush or for tourism.
While John hails from the Yarra Valley, the other club members come from far flung places such as Traralgon, Moe and Clonbinane.
They are descendants of market gardeners, retired farmers and historians, and they share a love of heavy horse culture.
“We all have an interest in draught horses, whether that’s through agriculture, horse shows or family history,” John said.
“This is our way of enjoying the horses and some yarns around the campfire.”
This slow-paced approach to holidays seems to suit the club members, who encourage anyone passing by or in the area to stop and say ‘hi’ if they see the team in transit.
“We’re happy for people to come and say g’day,” John said.
“It’s important that people understand the role draught horses played in building this country.”
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