The agricultural benefits of horses working vineyards are well known – but do we know how to care for them properly? Arnica Rowan suggests it's time for training and animal welfare protections. Above, one of Cheval des Vignes' horses at work.
Blue stands patiently between the vines, her massive rump gleaming with sweat and a bit of mud. Juliette Bouetz pours a hefty bag of seeds into the green hopper, a plastic bin strapped to a wooden frame atop a rusty iron sleigh. She gives Blue a little pat, clucks her tongue and the sensible mare immediately takes a step...