Meet the Army saddlers keeping centuries-old craftsmanship alive for the King's Troop
Long before machines came to dominate the battlefield, it was horses – and the craftsmanship that equipped them – that carried armies to war.
That legacy lives on today with the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery, where a small team of military saddlers is hard at work ahead of a packed ceremonial calendar.
At the Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich, the saddlery workshop is in full swing.
With more than 100 horses stabled on site, there is plenty of tack to maintain, and every piece must be safe, strong and smart enough to meet military standards.
Gunner Molly Sweet is one of four saddlers in the team and is currently in her apprenticeship.
"It's such an old skill that's dying out," she said.
None of the team had previous experience of saddlery when they joined, but they're now responsible for repairing and maintaining all the harness and leatherwork used in parades and exercises.
All the harnesses and saddlery are made and repaired by hand – not just for tradition's sake, but for safety.
Sergeant Tahia Hunt, the Master Saddler, said: "Everything is hand-stitched. The reason we hand-stitch is so that we can get eyes on every single piece of leather. If there are any tears or weak parts in it, then it's not safe and we can get rid."
Each strap must withstand the force of six horses pulling a tonne of gun carriage at speed, while still meeting the high standards expected for ceremonial events.
The saddlers are trained to respond quickly to issues on parade.
"Around the harness, we have a quick release system," Sgt Hunt explained. "So if we do have any issues out on parade, we can run in, drop the trace and then we've got a team that can get those horses out and get them sorted again."
Lance Bombardier Rosie Smith, two years into her four-year apprenticeship, said: "I absolutely love it. Not only do you learn to fit so many different aspects of it all, you can apply it to doing the civilian stuff as well, so you can make your belts, your bridles as well."
Although riding is part of the role, her primary job is repair and maintenance.
"It does really ramp up this time of year and it's just so important that we get it all done and it's all safe when it goes out there," LBdr Smith said.
"On the road, you can't do as heavy repairs, so it's really as safe as it can be here and then, on the road, we can do the minor repairs."
Even the simplest faults are fixed fast. One snapped strap becomes a chance to replace and reinforce, ensuring the tack lasts longer and stays reliable under pressure.
From state gun salutes to the King's birthday parade, the King's Troop plays a key role in military tradition.
The next major event in the calendar is the VE Day 80 procession on 5 May.
But behind every polished parade is a quiet, disciplined craft – and a team of saddlers making sure every horse is ready for its moment on the road.
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