Charles Robert Ffitch

An old one today, this is Jeff's great-grandfather Charles Ffitch who served during the 1st world war with the Somerset Light Infantry. He was a horse-breaker by trade, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather. On one occasion a car ran into him while he was out riding and he fractured his thigh, three ribs, collarbone and left arm. He is seen here chatting to Edward VIII, then Prince of Wales on one of his Duchy visits as he lay in bed with his leg in splints.
At this time the trade of the professional horse-breaker had almost gone and with it much training lore and equestrian information.
A quote from Charles: "You want to understand your colt and study a horse's character, for no 2 horses are exactly the same. A good head, good hands and kind treatment, that is the secret of horse-breaking".