Object number
51/383
Description
A docking iron was used to shorten the length of a horse's tail by cutting it to a short stump. This docking iron has a wooden handle and is made of steel and brass. It belonged to the donor's family, who were horsetraders in Reading for many years.
Physical description
1 docking iron: bottom handle (wood) end: metal (brass): good condition
Archival history
MERL 'Catalogue index' card – 'Docking irons were formerly used for shortening the length of a horse’s tail by cutting it to a short stump. The iron was made in the shape of a guillotine. The length of the dock to be left was decided upon and the hair cut off close below this point. The position of the joint nearest to the desired length of tail was ascertained and the joint then placed in the rounded groove of the iron, so that the edge of the knife would cut the correct part of the tail. The handles were then brought forcibly together and the end removed. A hot searing iron was then applied to the arteries to stop the bleeding and the point of the iron pushed into the sheath of the tendons lying on the top of the stump, so that it remained in an upright position, effecting "a handsome carriage of the tail." A little resin was melted over the end of the stump to assist the healing process. // This docking iron had been in the family of Goodey, who were horsedealers in Reading for many years. The bottom handle is made of wood and measures 17 inches in length and the end which receives the knife is covered with brass. The knife measures 14.25 inches in length, and has a wooden handle and a steel blade.'
Production date
1800-01-01 - 1899-12-31
Production period
Nineteenth century
Object name
Material
Associated subject
Associated person/institution
External document
- L:\MERL\Objects\JISC 2012\35 series negatives\Scans\35_412.tif - High resolution image
