Shire horses worked fields for hundreds of years

Working with shire horses is being advertised as a form of stress relief for tired executives.

The forestry department at the Lincolnshire School of Agriculture is offering one-day courses teaching people to work with heavy horses, in the Riseholme woodland.

The course aims to teach people that horses are not just for riding and can be used for work as well.

Some of the first people to sign up have been office workers looking for a break.

Flora and fauna

The idea came from trips to the Lake District National Park where horses are regularly used to help clear land.

It's just a wonderful experience of working with the horse - it just takes the mind off work , holding the reins and controlling the horse Steve Fox, lecturer

The school of agriculture has 20 hectares of mixed broadleaf and forestry lecturer Steve Fox explained how horses are particularly suited to this kind of work.

He said: "They are very sensitive to how they move across the ground

"Putting a machine into some of these areas, especially at this time of year with the flora and fauna - bluebells and snowdrops, isn't a good idea.

Sounds of the woodland

"It reduces the impact on the ground, where the tractor cannot go the horse may be able to tread."

The course has been promoted as an alternative form of stress relief.

Mr Fox said: "It's just a wonderful experience of working with the horse.

"There is no noise at all, apart from the sounds of the woodland and the environment around you.

"It just takes the mind off work - holding the reins and controlling the horse.

"It's just a wonderful experience."

The first courses are run on 12 and 13 April and are open to anyone over the age of 14.