80/17

Side-strap used on the farm at Woolhampton Cottage, Woolhampton, where 3 pairs of Shire horses were kept.
This is a side-strap used on the farm at Woolhampton Cottage, Woolhampton, Berkshire, where three pairs of Shire horses were kept. The side-strap has a loop at its upper end and includes a circular brass disc, an oval piece and two brasses, one with a lion and the other of a star in a crescent. The following is quoted from T. Keegan's 'The Heavy Horse', 1973, p.132: 'Many patterns of side straps, called variously runners, hip straps, loin straps, rein hangers, flyers etc. were made to decorate the horse from the side view. They were all attached to either the meeter straps or to the crupper, and hung down either side of the horse with two to four brasses displayed on each.'

1 side strap: leather; brass; good condition

MERL 'Handwritten accession' form (Institute of Agricultural History) – 'Standard museum name: Side strap // Accession number: 80/17 // Classification: Livestock, Horses harness // Negative number: // Acquisition method: Gift // Acquired from, date: Miss Blythe-Currie [...] // Store: // Condition: Good // Recorder, date: DJE, 25.2.80 // Description: Leather side strap with a loop at its upper end and including a circular brass disc, an oval piece and two brasses, one with a lion and the other of a star in a crescent. // Dimensions: Length: 43cms // Associated information: Used on farm at Woolhampton Cottage where 3 pairs of Shire horses were formerly used. // 'Many patterns of side straps, called variously runners, hip straps, loin straps, rein hangers, flyers etc. were made to decorate the horse from the side view. They were all attached to either the meeter straps or to the crupper, and hung down either side of the horse with two to four brasses displayed on each.' // References: T Keegan 'The Heavy Horse' 1973 p.132', Letter, MERL to Miss Blyth-Currie, 3 March 1980 – 'Dear Miss Blyth-Currie, // Here is a receipt for the items Mr. Brigden and myself picked up the other week. All the items have found a place in the museum collections, and we would like to thank you again for contacting us. // Yours sincerely, // David J. Eveleigh, // Museum Assistant.', Photocopy of Printed Report - 'Hands On Learning with Reading Museum Service // Transport: horses H543 // Horse brass // These circular brass discs were attached to the harness of a working horse on a farm at Woolhampton, Berkshire, where three pairs of shire horses were used. [...]'

Leather, Metal, brass