Object number
57/351
Description
Docking iron used for shortening the length of a young horse's tail by cutting it to a short stump. From the mid-19th C., in the Weardale.
This docking iron was a veterinary tool used for shortening the length of a young horse's tail by cutting it to a short stump. It dates from the mid-19th century, and was probably made in the Weardale area of County Durham, where it was also used by a farmer.
Archival history
MERL ‘Associated information’ form – 'Docking Iron // From Ireshopeburn, Upper Weardale. // See accompanying enquiry form. // [pencil sketch] // Age // Mid 19th Cent. // Who made it and where? // Believed local // Who used it and where? // Belonged to a local Weardale farmer who died in his later seventies some years ago, it is believed that he would take it over from his father who was also a local castrator etc. // How was it used (if not obvious) // Used for docking tails of young horses.'
Production date
1825-01-01 - 1874-12-31
Production period
Mid-nineteenth century
Object name
Associated subject
External document
- L:\MERL\Objects\JISC 2012\60 series negatives\60_2664.tif - High resolution image
