For more than 700 years, the fishermen of Oostduinkerke, Belgium, have ridden massive draft horses into the North Sea, continuing an ancient tradition that ties them to the rhythm of the tides. Today, only 19 men carry on this time-honored practice—marking the last place on Earth where horse-powered shrimping still survives.

Mounted on their 2,000-pound Brabant horses, these fishermen guide the powerful steeds into the frigid waves, their nets trailing behind as they sweep across the seafloor. The giant horses pull with quiet strength, dragging wide nets through the water, while tiny grey shrimp leap into the catch—a breathtaking contrast of raw power harvesting creatures no bigger than a fingertip.

Once a common sight along Europe’s coastlines, horse-shrimping is now a rare art, preserved only in Oostduinkerke. Safeguarded by UNESCO and cherished as living heritage, this tradition is not driven by profit, but by a deep sense of identity, resilience, and respect for the labor of their ancestors.

Every time the fishermen ride into the surf, they carry with them the weight of centuries—proof that in a world increasingly dominated by speed and machines, some traditions still endure. In the salty sea breeze, on the backs of these majestic horses, the legacy of the paardenvissers lives on, a quiet yet powerful reminder of humanity’s connection to the land, the sea, and the ways of old.