Pit Pony

In the early years of coal mining, the coal industry employed the use of "pit ponies" to haul coal from the mines and later in the mines their use is said to have been instrumental in making coal mining a success.

Most pit ponies vary rarely came to the surface, if at all. Individual animals might be brought up for individual treatment if badly injured or ill or if required for a show. The whole stable would ascend only during a lengthy strike or if the colliery were one of those which brought them up during the annual holiday.

Bringing ponies to the surface was never without its difficulties and when the entire equine workforce was involved it became a tricky, time-consuming and expensive operation.

The ponies were not used to travelling up the mine shaft and it was no doubt a frightening experience, for the cage moved suddenly and travelled very quickly. Even getting the ponies into the cage at all could prove problematical.

When the ponies were brought to the surface in large numbers, their arrival at the pithead could create something of a community occasion.

This interest of the miners children would continue throughout the ponies stay above ground and the field containing the pit ponies became the objective of family walks so that fathers and sons could show off their ponies to the women and girls.

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• Old Waggon way (small) - A pit lad Leading a horse and cart full of coal
• Lighthouse (large)
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Pony ...... appealing very much to the discerning buyer who places great emphasis on owning unusual and quality products

Pony ...... marvel at the detail of a beautifully hand crafted model ornament made with coal

Pony ...... collectable gifts, models, ornaments and figurines made with coal