Horse Owners Protest To Keep Local Traditions

A pet horse tethered on land known as 'The Cracker' in Tipton that may be seized by bailiffs on October 10, 2011 in Dudley, England. Horse lovers in Tipton are battling the local council over the tradition of keeping their horses tethered on public land near their homes. Locals say tradition that has been in existence for generations and believe it stems from the age of the canal when many local men used their horses to tow canal barges along the industrial Black Country canals. After a spate of horses running free Sandwell Council are now enforcing the law and impounding tethered horses. Locals are planning their next protest with a horse drive to the council headquarters to try and save their traditions.

Horse owner Steve Bradwich stands next to his horse, one of many horses tethered on land that may be seized by bailiffs on October 10, 2011 in Dudley, England

A pet pony is kept in a front garden in fear of being seized by bailiffs after a council crackdown in Tipton on October 10, 2011 in Dudley, England.

Horse owner John Garrett stands next to his horse Paddy who has grazed on public land for 25 years, one of many horses tethered on land that may be seized by bailiffs on October 10, 2011 in Dudley, England.


(All photos by  by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)