But compared with a Morris horse, which looks somewhat like a merry-go-round horse, carried at the waist of the 'rider', with little legs attached so that the rider seems to be sitting on the back of a more realistic horse, both the Padstow and Minehead horses (used to) have a flowing skirt that almost reaches the ground. The 'rider' isn't much like a real person - just a pointy head with grotesque features. And the horse head isn't realistic either - in fact, if you weren't told it was a horse, you would never guess.
I understand the Minehead horse is still the old shape but if you compare photos of the Oss in the early 1900s with today's Oss - well, which one would you rather go under?
Both the Bates and Brentons had sea-going sons for many years (as did the Trescowthicks and Henwoods - my link with Padstow) but you could always ask Barry Kinsmen - he might know! Or Donald Rawe.
'Oss Oss'
Keep 'er gain' Teaser and Barbara,
Robyn in New Zealand