WITH their enormous hooves and towering frames, it would be easy to be intimidated by the aptly named heavy horses at the Hylands estate.

But Roy and Falcon, the estates resident Suffolk Punch horses, were truly gentle giants, when I meet them, happy to be stroked and cooed over.

Standing at an impressive 17hh and weighing 900kgs both pull carriages of excited visitors and help extract timber from woodland around the 574 acre Hylands Park estate.

As well as their strength, it is their gentle and willing nature which makes them perfect for the job, according to owners Matt and Claudia Waller, who run Hawthorn Heavy Horses.

After meeting the horses and owners, Matt and Claudia Waller, of Hawthorn Heavy Horses, I enjoy a carriage ride through the grounds.

As well as their strength, it is the horses gentle and willing nature which makes them perfect for the job.

Matt, 34, of Chelmsford, said: “Falcon and Roy are both very good, we choose our horses due to their temperament; they are very calm with people although as they are only six they can get a bit excited.

“They even help clear woodland at Stansted Airport, they are very adaptable to different situations if they have the right training.”

However, it is the rarity of the breed which makes a trip in Falcon and Roy’s carriage even more special.

Matt, 34, of Chelmsford, said: “Working Suffolks are a rare sight, their numbers massively dropped when farmers began to use machines rather than horses - they were sold off to slaughter houses and also used in the First World War to pull guns.

“There are only 500 pedigree Suffolks in the world, only about 350 of them are in the UK and there are only about ten working pairs in the UK, which makes what we do unusual and quite special.

“We also have a Shire Horse, Joe, who helps with carriage rides, weddings and the logging.”

The ride takes in fields, lakes, woodland and offers a different view of Hylands House.

Both horses get a little excited but it was amazing to see the trust they had in Claudia, who was driving, and Matt, who calmed them in an instant.

All too soon the ride was over but it was a unique way to view one of the jewels in Chelmsford’s crown and discover more about the big horses with even bigger characters.

 Visit www.hawthornheavyhorses.co.uk to find out more about booking carriages for events or rides around the estate