Imagined The imagined cart
A white pony pulls a cart overflowing with lavender and wildflowers to the elven market. The cart is light, with big wheels for soft paths.
Real world Real working horses
In some woodlands, horses are still used to drag felled trees out of the forest. This is called horse logging. Heavy machines can squash the soil and damage roots and young trees, while a horse can pick its way between trees on narrow paths. Forestry organizations in Britain and elsewhere use horses in sensitive woods.
Possible future Light vehicles in towns
In cities, the closest thing to a pony cart today may be the cargo bike: a bicycle, often electric, with a box for children, shopping or deliveries. They take up little space and make no exhaust.
Art In this artwork
This illustration shows a white pony pulling a wooden cart full of flowers, with leaf decorations on the wheels.
Look closer
- Find the purple flowers in the cart.
- Look at the size of the wheels.
Think about it
- Why might a horse be better than a machine in a forest?
- Could cargo bikes replace some vans in your town?
- What does a working animal need to be healthy and safe?
Key words
- Horse logging
- Using horses to move felled trees.
- Soil compaction
- Squashing soil so roots and water can't get through.
- Cargo bike
- A bicycle built to carry loads.
Sources
The real-world facts on this page are based on these sources:
- Forestry England and the British Horse Loggers, guidance on working horses in woodland
- Encyclopaedia Britannica, "Horse"
