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Robbie working at Pant y Gasseg colliery in Wales
© National Coal Mining Museum for England (Photo: Mr Paul Jackson)
© National Coal Mining Museum for England (Photo: Mr Paul Jackson)
Many ponies formed firm bonds of friendship with their horsekeepers. They would stand patiently, waiting to be harnessed or for doors to be opened which they themselves could open on the return journey. They would go slowly round sharp bends or over uneven rails, and would lean forward to help lift a tub after a derailment.
They would stop at the top of an incline for tub wheels to be locked with a drag and, when this was removed, would trot down to the bottom of the hill to wait for the tubs to be connected and even push tubs into the line with the bottom of their collars; and all this with only the odd word of command.
In complete darkness, they could find their way to and from the coal-face, which sometimes was a distance of some miles, and of course they knew their way back to the stables. When the bell rang at the end of the shift they came to the stables at a gallop.
They would stop at the top of an incline for tub wheels to be locked with a drag and, when this was removed, would trot down to the bottom of the hill to wait for the tubs to be connected and even push tubs into the line with the bottom of their collars; and all this with only the odd word of command.
In complete darkness, they could find their way to and from the coal-face, which sometimes was a distance of some miles, and of course they knew their way back to the stables. When the bell rang at the end of the shift they came to the stables at a gallop.