Douglas Bay Trammers
Douglas Bay Trammers are the large team of magnificent draught horses employed by the Tramway to operate its heritage transport service along the Douglas Promenades.
Clydesdale and Shire horses, pure and crossbred, are well suited to pulling horse trams with their immense power, large round feet and generally good temperament.
There are about twenty draught horses presently with the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway. They also attend agricultural shows and compete in horse shows and ploughing matches on the Island.
Trammers typically start their training from the age of 4 or 5, a process that will take between 6 months and 2 years. Those that 'qualify' to work the Tramway retire at an average age of 20 to the local IOM Home of Rest for Old Horses.
Current Trammers
Working on the Tramway are:
Alec & Nelson (Shires)
Bobby, Ginger, Harry, Maggie & Torrin (Clydesdales)
In training are:
Annie & Jackson (Clydesdales)
Duke (a Shire-Cob cross)
Elodie (a Clydesdale-Shire cross)
Erin (a Gypsy Vanner)
Thor (a Welsh Cob)
To Purchase or To Breed?
Historically, the majority of tram horses were purchased by the Tramway from Ireland, a mix of cob and farm breeds, old enough to put in harness after brief training and with a working life of perhaps eight years before being sold on to local farms or re-exported.
A mare called Polly, bought from Ireland, had presented the then operator Douglas Corporation with a foal named Ramsey in 1966.
Due to significant cost rises for good horses in the early 1970's, the Corporation decided to commence its own breeding programme, the first foal being born in 1974.
The breeding programme continued through until the 1990's. Mark & Robert who retired at the end of the 2017 season were the last in-service trammers to be bred by Douglas Corporation.
From the late 1990's until the stud closed in 2018, draught horses were purchased mainly from the Garff - Ballafayle Stud near Ramsey and were either of Clydesdale or Shire horse breeds.
Since then, the Tramway has re-introduced an in-house breeding programme with a number of its Clydesdale mares to help ensure a supply of horses for training as future hopeful Trammers.
Rare Breeds on parade!
Robin, Bobby, Torrin & Harry at the 2015 Royal Manx Agricultural Show.
Working roles for heavy draught horses not only helps to maintain their health and fitness, it forms an important part of their breed conservation.
Clydesdales and Shire horses are on the Rare Breeds Survival Trust watchlist as 'at risk' breeds.
For further information about Clydesdale and Shire horse breeds, call in to the Tramway Stables to view the information panels and speak to the staff.
You can also visit the Clydesdale Horse Society and the Shire Horse Society websites.
