2021/19

A stick to measure the height of a horse in hands (4 inches) to the height of the withers (the top of the shoulders). Late 19th C.
A horse measuring stick measures the height of a horse. This stick has a metal extending measure inside. A horse is measured in hands (4 inches, 10.16 cm) to the height of the withers (the top of the shoulders). This stick will measure a horse up to 17 hands high and is probably from the late 19th century. It was used by the donor?s great grandfather William Wells. When young he trained as a jockey and had many jobs including coachman.

Made of bamboo, with root ball at the head. Brass rule inside.

Email from donor to MERL, 24 January 2017 – William Wells was my great grandfather who was born on the 6th September 1861 at Godmanchester, Huntingdonshire. William was in training to be a jockey but at the age of 21 he started to grow. // This lovely horse measuring stick belonged to him. My grandmother Mary Elizabeth (nee Wells) Charlton gave it to me as I owned a horse when I left school. // William married by great grandmother Mary Wise on the 22nd December 1886 at St Mary’s Church, Harrow-on-the-Hill, Middlesex. William was a coachman when living in Harrow., Museum Object Entry Form – 1x horse measuring stick. Belonged to donor’s great grandfather. Born Godmanchester, Huntingdonshire. Prob had stick prior to marriage. Worked in fish shop in Reading. Bailiff in Binfield until retirement. Felix Farm, then Elm Lodge. Links to animal traps etc in collection under ‘Newcombe’ name.

1850-01-01 - 1899-12-31

Nineteenth century, second half

Wood, bamboo, Metal, brass