Tonight’s instalment of Countryfile saw the presenters meet a number of working animals who have pivotal roles in the countryside.
Sean was in the Lake District where he met Cockermouth’s Mountain Rescue team to see search and rescue dogs in action.
He then went off to learn how Dales ponies are used to help clear forests of timber in places machinery cannot get to.
Meanwhile, the show also looked back through the archives at other working animals featured on the show, including Matt Baker meeting a very relaxed donkey on the Isle of Wight.
However, the topic of working animals prompted much debate on social media with some saying they felt uncomfortable watching animals used for labour.
One commented: “I don’t like to see working horses, it seems a bit cruel. Often more than a bit. #countryfile.”
Another added: “Not completely happy about seeing horses being used to carry heavy weights. They’re only ‘working horses’ because we’ve forced them to be. #countryfile.”
“I always enjoy the programme but not tonight. @BBCCountryfile,” a third shared.
“Why is it acceptable for a horse to pull heavy weight items like timber and trams? Surely in this age the use of horses in this way is not acceptable, what do you think? I think this should be stopped #Countryfile.”
However some were fascinated to learn just how important animals can be in helping to preserve the countryside as one fan wrote: “Another brilliant programme. It doesn’t get better than #countryfile.”
Another continued: “#Countryfile I always love the show but tonight was a particularly enjoyable one. Lovely seeing the working animals.”
A third added: “Brilliant Episode Tonight Again @BBCCountryfile #bbccountryfile,” while someone else tweeted: “Great show. Aren’t animals just brilliant?!”
Those tuning into the episode were given plenty of detail about the animals featured and their roles.
When Matt met the donkey used for demonstrations on how water is taken from a well on the Isle of Wight, he was told the donkey only worked for six minutes per day.
In other Countryfile news, Tom Heap recently opened up on the effect Brexit could have on UK farming.
He told Express.co.uk: “There is no doubt that Brexit is the biggest earthquake of recent times in both environment and farming.
“Europe was almost more intravenous in those two subjects than in anything else because so much of our environmental regulation came from Europe, be it everything from species to renewable energy.
“So much of our food regulation comes from Europe and evolves with Europe and obviously so much of the farming policy and all that so it is the most massive change in those sectors coming out of Europe and I have sympathy with them at the moment.
“Whether you work in an environmental NGO or some group doing that side of things or you’re a farmer that the not knowing has gone on for a long time. That is tough for them.”
Countryfile airs Sunday on BBC One at 7pm.
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