Mining in the Victorian Age
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Horse shoe
© National Coal Mining Museum for England (Photo: National Coal Mining Museum for England)
© National Coal Mining Museum for England (Photo: National Coal Mining Museum for England)
Shoes are important if a pony is working, particularly on a hard surface. If shoes were not worn, the pony's hooves would crack and split making it lame.
Shoes were usually made by the mine's blacksmith. Many colliery blacksmiths worked underground, as this was where the ponies lived. Ponies shod underground had to be shod cold underground. It was not always possible to fire up the forge underground for the more normal hot shoeing because of the risk of explosion in gassy pits.
Shoes were usually made by the mine's blacksmith. Many colliery blacksmiths worked underground, as this was where the ponies lived. Ponies shod underground had to be shod cold underground. It was not always possible to fire up the forge underground for the more normal hot shoeing because of the risk of explosion in gassy pits.