We are thrilled to welcome a new young Shire Horse to our working team.

Cromwell, a rising two year old bay Shire Horse joins the workforce from a renowned breeder in Lincolnshire.

Head Coachman, Nicholas Carter said ‘We’re thrilled to welcome our latest addition to the team, this young horse caught my eye back in October, and after watching his progress we looked to purchase him this February. He’s a remarkable colour match to our other horses and with his inquisitive and friendly nature I look forward to a promising future with him. It’s also a bold statement from our team of directors that our Shire Horses are valued team members and will continue to remain a prominent part of our future for years to come’

Cromwell will spend the next two years meeting visitors, competing at shows and visiting the brewery’s pubs, before being trained to drive once he turns four. The Shire Horses have over 75 public engagements every year, ranging from competitions, demonstrations, fetes, weddings and television work to name but a few. Their full diary of events can be found here. 

We have three other Shire horses onsite, 25 year old retired Nelson, 5 year old Brigadier purchased in 2022 and 5 year old Balmoral purchased in 2023. The horses live onsite in the original 1894 stable block which remains open to the public from Wednesday through to Sunday with the horses enjoying their days off on Monday and Tuesday in the surrounding fields.

The Shire Horse breed is deemed ‘at risk’ of extinction due to their dwindling numbers and we are one of only five breweries in the country to still have our own horses. With only three of those routinely using them for deliveries. Shire Horses now find a new role as riding horses, excelling in ridden showing and dressage. We became a Shire Horse Society approved centre in October 2021 and hosts various training days and events throughout the year to promote the breed and the skills of working them ensuring their place in the modern world.

To find out more about the Brewery’s Shire team, find them on Facebook at ‘Hook Norotn Brewery Shire Horses’ or here.