Hay-making with Two Hampton Court Shire Horses

The tradition of hay-making, or hay mowing, is being kept alive at Kensington Palace thanks to Tom and Murdoch, a pair of Shire Horses from Hampton Court Palace who have been working together for over two years.

This is the first time in over a century that the wild flower meadow has been cut using horse-drawn mower. One of the advantages of using Shire Horses is that the meadow takes on a more authentic appearance, as the grass is cut more roughly. The traditional method also helps germinate wild flower seeds and the lighter tread of the horses hooves is easier on the soil.