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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.

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Ever wondered what it would be like to experience one of America's most pivotal battles the way soldiers did in 1863? Step into the hoofprints of history with Horse Tours of Gettysburg, a family-owned business bringing the Civil War battlefield to life through carriage rides and guided horseback tours.

Doug Stevens, a veteran who served six deployments between Afghanistan and Iraq, founded the company in 2010 as a way to stay connected with horses after sustaining combat injuries. What began as a family operation has blossomed into a thriving business now transitioning to his 6'11" son Spencer and Spencer's girlfriend Jamie, the self-proclaimed "Executive Director of Horseback Riding." Their passion for history, horses, and people creates an experience unlike any other in Gettysburg.

With nine carriage teams and 31 trail horses, the company offers visitors multiple ways to engage with the battlefield's history. Licensed battlefield guides accompany each tour, sharing stories that transport guests back to July 1863 when 34,000 casualties made this the bloodiest battle in North American history. As Jamie explains, "We try to set them up to be safe out there" while ensuring guests gain historical understanding along with their horseback experience.

What sets these tours apart is how they allow guests to experience the battlefield "at the speed of history." Many of the battlefield's wayside markers were designed to be viewed from a carriage, not a car. Guests ride on the same military crests where officers positioned themselves, seeing the landscape through a similar lens as those who fought there. Even more fascinating, some trees that witnessed the battle still contain bullets, occasionally discovered when chainsaws hit metal during maintenance.

In an age dominated by screens and text messages, these tours create space for genuine human connection. As Doug poignantly shares, they once hosted a mother with terminal cancer and her resentful teenage children who transformed from sullen to joyful during their ride, creating lasting memories amid difficult circumstances.

Ready to experience Gettysburg in the most authentic way possible? Book your tour today and discover why thousands of visitors return year after year to see history through the eyes—and from the backs—of horses.

Follow Horse Tours of Gettysburg on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/horsetoursgettysburg/

Check out the website - https://confederatetrails.com/

YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@HorseToursofGettysburg

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Step into the world of working animals with this Fourth of July conversation between Stephen Haste and Andrew, a longtime community member from the east end of Long Island. Against the backdrop of Independence Day preparations, these two passionate "mule men" share stories that reveal why these remarkable animals continue to capture hearts across America.

Andrew brings a wealth of perspective as a military veteran (Army 3rd of the 75th Ranger Battalion) and current telecommunications director planning his retirement to South Fork. His journey with mules began about a decade ago when he discovered their fascinating history—from George Washington's prized "Royal Gift" donkey (whose bloodline runs through every American mule today) to their crucial role in winning World War I by hauling equipment too heavy for horses.

"I want to go out in a field, sit behind an animal, and hear the click-clack of that machine for a couple hours and put my mind at rest," Andrew explains, describing his vision for retirement. After years of managing university campuses and interacting with hundreds of people weekly, he finds profound peace in the companionship of his rescued mule. "My wife says he's my psychologist because when I need to sit and talk to somebody and have them just listen, he'll do that."

The conversation offers listeners a glimpse into the tight-knit draft horse community at Haste Farms, where visitors regularly drop by unannounced and yearly gatherings like the October barbecue create memories that Andrew describes as "the best birthday of my life." Whether you're fascinated by working animals, considering a similar retirement path, or simply enjoy authentic conversations between kindred spirits, this episode demonstrates why these magnificent animals continue to play meaningful roles in modern lives.

Join the Haste community at drafthorsesandmulesforsale.com or call 606-303-5669 with your questions about harness equipment, farm implements, or finding the perfect horse or mule companion.

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