TOUR OF THE MUSEUM Part 3 The Pit Pony

An Act of Parliment in 1840's made it illeagel for women and children to work down the mines which, while it was good news for them, ment that mine owners now had to rely on small ponies to work underground.
Welsh Mountain, Fell, Dartmoor and Shetland ponies were all used to do this hard and dirty work, which at one time employed over 70,000 ponies.
They were from all reports well looked after by the miners and had special bridles made by the saddler to protect their faces especially the eyes. There were several different designs and the one shown here on our miniature Shetland pony, Rambo, has producing pieces of leather for added protection and is on display in the Museum.
In February 1994 the last of British Coal's ponies came up from Northumberland's Ellington Colliery where they had worked six miles under the North Sea so ending a long tradition stretching back to the 17th century.

TOUR OF THE MUSEUM Part 2 The Hosedrawn Post Project

As part of European Heritage Week 2008, the Museum launched its Horsedrawn Post Project which is an ongoing display documenting the role of the horse in the Irish postal service. The exhibition opened over the weekend of 23 & 24 August and features photos, maps, reward notices, information on Post Boys, delivery vehicles and robbers and highwaymen.
At a later date it is intended to revisit some of the old post routes and drive them using the Museum's 1896 Beaufort Cart. This beautiful varnished vehicle has been used for film work Scotland and is in perfect roadworthy condition. And, most importantly, we have the horse to pull it.
Prior to delivery vehicle the mail was carried by Post Boys mounted on horseback. On 5 July 1815 Charles Bianconi ran his jaunting cart for the first time carring six pasangers. Befor long he had established routes throught Ireland carring both passangers and the Royal Mail.

Charles Bianconi's Long Car 1838

Although not the first to operate a horsedrawn postal service in Ireland, he is the person most remembered for his vision and business expertise. His first Mail Carts had two wheels and were pulled by a single horse. As business grew and longer distances were covered he operated four wheeled carts and Mail Coaches with either a pair or a team of four horses.

Oriental Warrier

The orientals had artistally decorated armour, shields and textiles for both their horses and themselves. This warrier is using a baboo spear which was considerably stronger then woodern spears.

Ceremonial Chariot of King Ramesses II

A model from the museum depicting the ornate nature of the king's ceremonial harness. This model and other illustrations are based on the many mosaics that remain to this day.

TOUR OF THE MUSEUM Part 1 The Early Days

In order to document the early days of saddlery and harness the museum has to rely on models and illustrations. The invention of the carriage and its harness did not occur overnight. It cannot be credited to any one man, country or culture. Rather, it developed in varying ways around the world; a gradual process of adaption for specific requirements, terrain and culture of a particular area.
The earliest draught animal was probably man himself, pulling a sledge via a rope around his waist. Later man learned to harness the power of animals, although in the beginning it was more likely to be oxen rather then horses.
The model of King Ramesses II in his Ceremonial Chariot shows just how elaborate his harness was with precious stones, feathered plumes and engraved metals all used to embellish his turnout. Other illustrations of this king also show his horses covered in leopard skins in addition to leopards running alongside his chariot!