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Pit pony on a banner at a miners' gala in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, 1993
© 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)
Before a pony started working underground, he received training lasting several weeks. During this period unsuitable ponies were weeded out. Once underground, ponies were used to pull empty tubs or carry materials such as pit props into the workings and to bring back tubs full of coal to the shaft.
The hours a pony could work were laid down by law. A forty-eight hour week was the maximum, except in special circumstances, but it could be less. A pony carrying supplies or on repair work, for instance, often worked only three or four hours in a shift. Ponies were such an essential part of mining life that they appeared on miners' union banners, with texts such as 'The past we inherit, the future we build'.
A pony did not work for more than two shifts in 24 hours or more then three shifts in 48 hours. A shift was 7 ½ hours or less.
The hours a pony could work were laid down by law. A forty-eight hour week was the maximum, except in special circumstances, but it could be less. A pony carrying supplies or on repair work, for instance, often worked only three or four hours in a shift. Ponies were such an essential part of mining life that they appeared on miners' union banners, with texts such as 'The past we inherit, the future we build'.
A pony did not work for more than two shifts in 24 hours or more then three shifts in 48 hours. A shift was 7 ½ hours or less.