Like all his breed, the Dobbin that Clare describes would be largely used for the hauling of heavy loads to market, for ploughing fields, and other tasks that required their huge pulling ability. From Clare’s descriptions Dobbin was certainly gentle, patient, and of a phlegmatic temperament, typical of his kind:
‘At rough or smooth old Dobbin was the horse
‘To take it gently or to use his force
‘When elted deep in mirey lanes & roads
‘No whips was needed to remove the loads
‘Not they indeed good words & gentle ways
‘Were quite sufficient in thy younger days
‘& tho good corn might others make as stout
‘A better horse was never harnessd out
‘Mild as a lamb a very child might guide
‘& walk undangerd by his gentle side
‘Thou from our wenches Dob near faild of praise
‘For faithful steadiness on market days
Thou might lack speed but none had safer legs
‘For brittle loads of butter & of eggs
Apart from Clare hardly mentioned, save in passing, in centuries of poetry and prose, yet probably the most irreplaceable worker on the land and in local travel for half a millenia.
Dobbin - Arbour Chapbook No. 22 is is available from me at £3.50 + £1.00 towards postage and packing (UK).
Email me on arborfield@pm.me or leave me a message on the John Clare Poet facebook page.
Kindle edition (PDF) is £1.50 - just send me a message.
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