Wednesday, September 10, 2008

TOUR OF THE MUSEUM Part 5 The Circus Pony

As part of European Heritage Week 2007 the museum put on a display entitled The Working Pony in which the varying aspects of a pony's life was portrayed in different styles of harness.
For the Circus Pony the museum's miniature Shetland pony, Rocky, wore this antique set of Liberty Harness with the addition of a pair of plumes in the Irish colours. You will notice that Rocky's mane has been plaited in red wool to compliment the harness.
It has long been tradition for ponies and horses to be used in the circus adorned in highly decorative harness which not only relied on bright colours and shining buckles but also lit up in lights with the batteries being carried in pouches on the animal.
This set of harness fits both of the museum's Shetlands and has been used on numerous occasions when the ponies have appeared in parades, parties and festivals.

No comments: