Great uncle Bob

Horseman and brother to my grandad Horace. Both of Suffolk, both horsemen and farmers. Both prize winners for the straightest furrow ploughed. Traditional English country life of the late 1930,s. Whom when the farming industry became industrialised used there entrepreneurship to reestablish themselves in London with their horses to work independently and set up haulage businesses. Hauling coal up the canals and beer around the pubs and coal around the cities homes. Being farmers they were able to adapt and both brought houses in the same street where they married. Two cockney sparrows. One a dinner lady at Battasey power station. She swam in the Thames everyday. A strong athletic, 6 foot woman of Scottish descendant.

Moving with the times, they both retrained and took professional qualifications to then run huge workforces making tractors at Fords. They moved out of the city buying houses and reclaiming a piece of the countryside in the suburbs, maintaining fruit orchards and vegetable patch.

The legacy they left were a family with a love of horses and county life. Including myself and this is how Rarecolt grew. A leather brand with firm roots in British saddlery, bringing to life the traditions of equestrian quality highly decorated goods with sustainability at its core.

During the early 1930s in the British countryside, Suffolk horse collars were commonly used in agricultural practices. These collars were specifically designed for the Suffolk Punch breed of horses, which were known for their strength and ability to pull heavy loads.

The Suffolk horse collar was made of high-quality leather, typically sourced from local tanneries. It was carefully crafted to fit the horse's neck comfortably and securely. The collar consisted of several components, including the main body, hames, and traces.

The main body of the collar was the central part that rested on the horse's neck. It was padded with soft materials, such as sheepskin or felt, to provide cushioning and prevent chafing. The padding also helped distribute the weight of the load evenly across the horse's neck.

Attached to the main body were the hames, which were curved metal or wooden pieces that extended on either side of the collar. The hames served as a connection point for the traces, which were long straps or chains that attached to the load being pulled. The traces were typically made of strong materials like leather or metal chains to withstand the strain of heavy loads.

To secure the collar on the horse, a harness was used. The harness consisted of various straps and buckles that fastened around the horse's body, ensuring the collar stayed in place during work. The harness was adjustable to accommodate different horse sizes and provide a comfortable fit.

Suffolk horse collars were essential tools for farmers and workers in the British countryside during the early 1930s. They allowed horses to efficiently pull heavy loads, such as plows, carts, and wagons, aiding in various agricultural tasks. The design and construction of these collars were crucial to ensure the horses' comfort and safety while working.

There is now only one craftsman left in the UK making these collars. The British Heritage Crafts trust recently reached out to offer grants to those interested in carrying on this unique tradition.

@rarecolt