Saracen’s very own Feed Adviser and Southern Area Sales Manager Nicola Read is featured in a BBC documentary – Hidden Treasures of the National Trust – now live on iPlayer. But it’s not just Nicola who’s in the spotlight. The film also showcases Oakwood Clydesdales, the pioneering business run by Nicola’s partner, Tom.

Tom is bringing traditional horse-powered farming into the future, and it's exactly the kind of innovation we need. His business is the only one in the UK specialising in wildflower and meadow management using horses rather than heavy machinery. His team is working with the National Trust at Ham House in London, where horses are used to manage the meadows in a way that is low-impact, low-emission, and biodiversity-positive.

Why does this matter to Saracen? Because horses are part of the environmental solution. Grasslands – when properly managed – are powerful carbon sinks. Unlike forests, which store carbon mostly above ground, meadows lock it deep in the soil, making them more stable and less vulnerable to wildfires. Horses enhance this process by improving soil drainage, avoiding compaction, and naturally encouraging wildflower growth.

Tom’s work is a beautiful collision of heritage and future, proving that with the right mindset and a bit of horsepower, sustainability doesn’t have to mean sacrifice. It’s a vision we share at Saracen, where the health of horses and the health of the planet go hand in hand.

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© Nicola Reed

🎥 Watch the full BBC feature here: Hidden Treasures of the National Trust – Nicola & Oakwood Clydesdales

You can reach Tom through Oakwood Clydesdales for any inquiries here – M: +44 (0)7759 482872 or info@oakwoodclydesdales.co.uk

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