Horsepower at work

The rolling Swanfels Valley east of Warwick will once again be the backdrop for this year’s Heavy Horse Day at the property of popular local identity Mick Bradford.
The 17th Heavy Horse Day is on Sunday 15 October from 9am, and will feature a packed program of working old-time farming displays including blacksmithing, wheelwrighting, hay-making, chaff-making and corn-shelling – and all done with true horsepower.
Mick’s Clydedales are something of a local icon and never fail to impress, and this year they’ll again be joined by a team of eight bullocks who will haul timber and wagons, recalling the region’s rich timber industry heritage.
All proceeds from the day go to RACQ LifeFlight and the day is run in conjunction with the Killarney Lions Club.
“Bring the kids for a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see how things used to be done, without all the show and shine,” Mick said.
“The Killarney Lions will again have food and drink in the big blue tent.
“There will also be pancakes, ice cream and syrup, Sno Cones, camp oven damper, an ice cream van, market stalls, jumping castle and an animal nursery.
“Displays will include axes, whips, horse bits, harness making, and a local blacksmith and wheelwright.”
Mick will be working his famous “horse works” which pumps water, threshes corn and slices pumpkin.
Mick Bradford’s Heavy Horse Day has raised almost $100,000 for LifeFlight over the past 17 years.
• The Heavy Horse Day is on Sunday 15 October from 9am at 122 Swanfels Road, Yangan. Take the Yangan Road from Warwick and follow the signs.