A garden plow turns terrifying in an instant when the earth suddenly opens beneath a team of draft horses in Bedford, Virginia. Hugh Saunders recounts the heart-stopping moment when his beloved Shire horses plunged twelve feet underground through what would later be discovered as a collapsed 116-year-old terracotta pipe.
The rescue operation mobilized the entire community – two backhoes, three veterinarians, and countless neighbors rallied to save the trapped animals. While others urged caution, Hugh insisted on climbing down into the sinkhole with his horses, demonstrating the profound bond between a true teamster and his team. "If they're down here, I'm going to be down here," he explains, embodying the spirit that defines authentic horsemen.
Remarkably, both horses emerged without injuries after a tense two-hour excavation. The incident uncovered not just the horses but pieces of Bedford's hidden history – including a Civil War bullet found during the recovery of lost harness pieces. Hugh reflects on what this experience taught him about community, friendship, and the special relationship between driver and draft horse.
Now driving a Belgian team purchased from host Stephen Haste, Hugh continues his passion for draft horses, regularly appearing in local parades and events that celebrate this traditional way of life. Their conversation explores what it means to face adversity alongside your animals, the value of good neighbors in times of crisis, and the unexpected ways history reveals itself beneath our feet.
Join us for this extraordinary tale of danger, rescue, and the unbreakable bond between a man and his horses. Call Stephen at 606-303-5669 with questions or visit drafthorseandmulesforsale.com to learn more about keeping these traditions alive.
Find us online at DraftHorsesAndMulesForSale.com
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