The early settlers of Victoria depended on horse drawn vehicles to farm, make roads and railways, deliver produce and transport people. Horse harnesses were an important requisite for all drivers and could be found wherever there were working horses. Horse Harnesses have played an essential role in different cultures throughout history. Simple, utilitarian horse harnesses made of leather straps and iron rings were being used in early China before AD 500 as well as ancient Greece and Rome, allowing horses to pull chariots and ploughs. The Greeks and Romans were the first to use a "horse collar" which distributed the weight of the harness evenly across the horse's chest rather than relying on a "throat harness" that could damage a horse's throat or choke them. During the medieval period, European horse harnesses became more elaborate and decorative. Variations of different horse harnesses were also found in Native American and Middle Eastern cultures. Horse Harnesses usually have four basic components which include - 1. Communication - the bridle, bit and reins allows the driver to communicate instructions and commands to the horse, guiding its movement and direction. 2. Draft - the collar, hame straps, hames, traces and chains enables the horse to draw and pull the load efficiently by distributing the weight and transferring the pulling force to the vehicle. 3. Stopping - the breeching band, pole straps and breast strap helps to control or stabilise the horse and vehicle when moving downhill or stopping. 4. Support - the back pad, backband, belly band and back saddle keep the harness in the correct position and proper alignment. This show harness was used by Mr. Andy Bourke when showing his Clydesdales at shows or demonstrations. Although a more modern example with decorative embellishments, it still has many essential components traditionally found in an everyday working horse harness. The original purpose of the "housen" for example, was to run rain or drizzle off the horse's neck when they had to work in wet conditions - it was laid flat for this purpose on the top of the collar. Nowadays it is purely for show and is often used to advertise a business or stud. Horse brasses and fly terrets were fastened to various parts of a horse's harness. In the early days they probably began as amulets to ward off evil and to bring good luck and continued to be used as a festive decoration. The heyday of horse brasses was between the years 1851 and 1900. Horse brasses are fastened to various parts of the harness with many of their designs being symbolic. The ornamentation on this harness (although not authentic horse brasses) are based on the horse brasses that were popular in the 19th century. This horse harness is a significant example of the equipment that was needed wherever heavy horses were being used - particularly in the early years of Victoria's settlement by white settlers. Harnesses such as this example were used with stage coaches, drays, farming equipment, delivery carts and personal transportation.A leather and metal horse harness used when showing a Clydesdale (or other breed of heavy horse). It is made up of a number of components. 1. Decorative leather cart saddle with two large cloth pads underneath (which have a scalloped leather and stud border), a raised leather pommel and a silver and red coloured metal back strap holder across the top. It has two symmetrical sets of ornamentation (silver hearts and circles) in the front and a wide strap or girth (with a maker's stamp reading "R. Mitchell Saddler") and buckle which attaches the saddle to the horse. 2. Pair of steel hames which are gently curved (to fit on a horse collar) and are topped with steel knobs. They have several steel rings and lugs (to hold straps and chains) and a "Made in England Warranted Steel" stamp. 3. Breeching harness which consists of a number of leather straps, chains and metal rings including a wide padded leather strap with a scalloped edge that sits on the back of the horse and a thick leather strap that goes around the hind quarters of a horse which is joined to the back strap with four shorter vertical straps and buckles. These straps feature silver and red patent leather trim and silver heart shaped ornamentation. The strap also features the maker's stamp of "R. Mitchell". 4. Decorative leather bridle with blinkers featuring the same silver and red patent leather trim on the cheek piece, brow band and throatlatch. It has a stainless steel "Liverpool Driving Bit" with a curb chain, a variety of decorative silver ornaments (rosettes, diamonds plus a heart and two circles) on each end of the forehead band, dropper and strap as well as a silver metal bell (sometimes known as a "fly terret" or "swinger") that sits on the headpiece of the bridle. 5. Leather "violin shaped" dropper (or hanger) with two silver rosette shaped ornaments and a stainless steel clip on the top 6. Stainless steel "Liverpool Driving Bit" with a straight mouthpiece which is ribbed on one side. It has three rein spots (spaces) and a curb chain. 7. Leather arch shaped "Housen" covered in black and red patent leather and decorated with silver studs (some spelling out F H) and bordered with a red fringe. It has a leather strap at the back and two leather loops on the front. 8. Leather padded backband (Australian style "Stallion Draught Roller") decorated with two groups of nine metal "horse brasses" or harness ornaments displaying horseshoe, starburst and horse head designs on blue, red and white striped webbing. The backband has three notched straps at each end, a buckle near the centre and the initial B stamped in two places underneath. 9. Bellyband made of leather and red, white and blue striped webbing. It has a set of three buckles at each end (which correspond with the notched straps of the backband). 10. Wide, thick leather strap which has a buckle and notches at each end. It also has the maker's stamp of "R. Mitchell Saddler". 11.One pair of long leather traces - each with a buckle and notched loop at one end, decorated with a small silver diamond shaped harness ornament. 12. Length of stainless steel heavy duty chain with two swivel connectors.Saddle - "R.MITCHELL / SADDLER" Hames - "MADE IN ENGLAND / WARRANTED / STEEL" "MADE IN ENGLAND / WARRANTED / unclear" Breeching Straps - "R. MITCHELL / MAKER / R. MITCHELL MAKER" Housen - "F H" Backband "B / B' Wide leather strap - "R. MITCHELL / SADDLER"flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, harness, horse harness, show harness, clydesdale horses, andy bourke, horse drawn cart, housen, bridle, hames, breeching straps, dropper, bit, liverpool bit, backband, harness ornamentation, bellyband, back saddle, fly terret

This leather marking tool is rolled along leather to mark the spacing of stitches for smooth, even results. Early settlers and pioneers had to be self reliant and made and repaired their own equipment eg Saddles, reins, as well as wallets, pouches and bags. A leather working marking tool with a steel wheel and shaft and a carved wooden handle. craftwork, pioneers, early settlers, moorabbin, bentleigh, cheltenham, leather, tools, saddles, wallets, personal effects, horses, drays,

This leather marking tool is rolled along leather to mark the spacing of stitches for smooth, even results. Early settlers and pioneers had to be self reliant and made and repaired their own equipment eg Saddles, reins, as well as wallets, pouches and bags. A leather working tool marker with steel wheel and shaft and a carved wooden handlecraftwork, cheltenham, moorabbin, early settlers, pioneers, leather, tools, saddles, wallets, personal effects, horses, drays,

black and white photo mounted on board. Image shows Cobb and Co. coach, heavily laden, with boy standing on side step. Man at front beside eight horses ? Team .A man is sitting holding the reins .A dog is standing under the rear Axle Written on bottom ' a heavy load' - used for display purposes.business, transport, cobb & co., cobb and co., transport

The Globe Hotel built 1874-75 for John Walsh was destroyed by fire and rebuilt in ?. Leased by William Fowler in 1891 who had been in Charlton since 1877. Copy of Lithograph of Charlton buildings. Large sign on building 'GLOBE HOTEL'. Eight men and women and three children standing in front of building, a horse and wagon also in front of the building with a man standing in the wagon holding the reins. Two greyhounds on the road.The Globe Hotel, High Street. WM. Fowler, Proprietor. The Home of Coursing.globe hotel, john walsh, william fowler

Globe Hotel High St Charlton c. 1891. Proprietor William Fowler. Photo taken for Charlton Lithograph 1891 (P1437) . Sepia photograph of the Globe Hotel. Large group of people standing outside the hotel; four women, one holding a baby and four men. There is a little girl pushing a toy pram and a boy sitting. There is also a horse and buggy and the driver is standing up in the buggy holding the reins. globe hotel, william fowler

East Charlton Hotel High St Charlton c. 1892. Proprietor C. Klug. Established by John Flug who built Charlton's first commercial building in 1875 - a slab and bark inn 100 metres to the rear of this building. Photo taken by Clark Bros, Windsor, MelbourneBlack & white photo, mounted, postcard size. Signage Klug's on top of the building, East Charlton Hotel below that. Four men standing on footpath, four women and a man holding a dog standing on the road. On the left is a horse and covered buggy with a man standing in front of the buggy. There is a boy sitting in the buggy holding the reins. On the right is an open gig with a man and two women in it.east charlton hotel, c. klug, john flug, clark bros

Churchill Island Heritage Farm has a large photographic collection dating from the nineteenth century. This series shows more contemporary photographs taken from around Churchill Island.Photograph of a horse hitched to the Furphy cart standing in a cleared area with a man standing beside the cart holding the reins.catalogue number written on reverse in pencil handwritten on reverse in pen 'Churchill Island' '1106' '4'photograph, churchill island

Churchill Island Heritage Farm has a large photograph collection dating from the nineteenth century. Photograph of horse hitched to the Furphy cart with a man holding the reins.Catalogue number written on reverse in pencil churchill island, photograph

Churchill Island Heritage Farm has a large photograph collection dating from the nineteenth century. Photograph of horse hitched to the Furphy cart with a man holding the reinsCatalogue number written on reverse in pencil churchill island, photograph

Bendigo Advertiser ''The way we were'' from Tuesday, May 24, 2005. Horse drawn: taken in the mid 1920s, this photograph shows a group of women from the Huntly Hall Committee. Holding the reins is Polly Fiedler, while Chris Fiedler is holding the horse.newspaper, bendigo advertiser, the way we were

Black and white photo of Mr Henry Godfrey and his sons along with Prince Charlie of the Jajoweroung or Loddon Tribe. The group are standing in front of wooden stables with a window in the roof above the open door. One son is on a horse and the other is holding the reins. The boys are both wearing hats and are dressed in stockings and breeches. Mr Godfrey is the background wearing a hat riding boots, breeches and a 3/4 coat. In the front to the left is Prince Charlie holding two spears and is in native costume. At the bottom of the photo written in black ink is: Stables on Godfreys Homestead - Lake Boort - On the back of the Photo is written in clue Ink "Stables on Godfrey's Boort Homestead, Lake Boort, November 1863. W. Henry Godfrey and his sons, with "Prince Charlie" of the jajoweroung or Loddon Tribe.photo, group, godfreys homestead, stables on godfreys homestead, lake boort, prince charlie, henry godfrey and his sons.

Photograph. Harry Biggs Collection. A black & white photo of a man in a suit sitting in a sulky. The top of the sulky has a cover with a fringe around it & the man has a rug over his knees. He is holding the reins of a decorated horse which the sulky is attached it. At the back is a work place & the letters RSONS can be seen. Beside that is a brick building & 2 school children, a boy and girl are standing in front of it.person, individual, casual, harry biggs collection, horse drawn carriage

John Lundy-Clarke grew up in the Kalorama/Mt Dandenong area and later in life (1972-74) began to write a comprehensive history of the district working from an original settlement map in an effort to cover all areas. Edward John Price (Ted)(1899-1974) was the third child of Edward Joseph and Annie Price. He lived a very industrious life in the area. When the new CRB road cut through the family land Edward John established a Corn and Produce store on a level area adjoining the new road . Along with his brother Charlie, Ted took up road contracting and formed Grange Road in 1923. They also took up contracts to metal the CRB road between The Gap and Olinda. Edward John married Myra Wilson in 1930. They lived in the first brick home built in the district. They had two sons, Edward Joseph 2nd and Alan.Black and white photograph showing an old man dressed in a jacket holding the reins of a horse. Reverse of photograph has handwritten description by John Lundy-Clarke.Edward John Price 1973. Son of Edward Joseph & Annie Ada nee Ross. Born 1899 died 1974. Farmer, Carrier, Sawmiller, Contractor, Quarry Owner, Shop Proprietor (Kew Junction 1935). Father of Alan & Edward J.edward john price, myra wilson, edward joseph price, annie price, alan price, charles price, grange road, crb road

Early settler William Farndon built 'Callum House' and it became a guest house. This photograph is taken in 1911 and shows guests and members of the Farndon family. The coach is a Campbell's Coach. Callum House later became 'Bonvenu' and then 'The Oaks'. The building is still standing today on Farndons Road.Black and white photograph showing a group of adults and children eithing standing or leaning on a fence in front of a wooden house. A white horse is hitched to a buggy with driver at the reins on the rhs. Tall, dead trees can be seen behind the building.william farndon, farndon, callum house, bonvenu, the oaks, campbell's coach

The photograph shows Ted Child working in a field with his horse Spark.The photograph was taken by his daughter, Ivy Child. Ivy May Child (1910 – 1989) was the daughter of Arthur Edward (Ted) Child (1878 – 1964) and Ethel May Madden (1888 – 1970). Ted Child was the son of Matthew Francis Child (1839 – 1933) and Martha Jeeves (1857 – 1926). He was the grandson of one of the early pioneers Francis Child. Ivy grew up on the family property on Childs Road and took many photographs. Most of these are glued into her photo album. The album covered the years from c1927 – 1932. Ivy married Henry William Burgess (1906 – 1968) in 1944. The photographs remain in their original state in the album with individual copies made. Black and white photograph showing a close up of a man wearing a white shirt & trousers held up by braces with a hat. He has reins and chains attached to a working horse. They are standing in a grassy field with fruit trees.On front below picture - SPARKted child, horse, child, ivy child

B&W photo of Bill Hermon sitting on the back of a piece of farm equipment which is probably a potato planter. His son John is sitting in the hopper, holding light reins which are attached to the yokes of two draughthorses. John looks about four years old. They are resting. Photo taken 16th November 1947.

B&W photo shows Cissie Johns and another person who may be her brother Percy, sitting in a jinker. A dark horse with a white blaze is harnessed to the jinker. Cissie is seated nearest the camera. She is wearing a pale wide-brimmed hat and pale clothing. Her long fair hair is loose around her shoulders. The other person is holding the reins and is wearing a dark hat and pale shirt. This photo may have been taken at the same time as M0104. The subjects are facing south. The sun is shining. They are on a flat expanse of grass. Beyond them are several cypress trees. These are most likely part of the cypress hedges lining the driveway to Glen Park Farm farmhouse. In the background is the eastern flank of Black Hill. A small shed can be seen beside the driveway, partly obscured by the jinker's wheel. Dated c.1913.

B&W photo shows a two-horse team harnessed to a small sled which is laden with bagged-up potatoes. A man wearing dark hat, waistcoat and trousers and a pale shirt is holding the reins of the horses, and two people who could be the Johns children, Percy and Cissie, are seated on the potatoes. The paddock slopes away and another hillside rises in the background. This is most likely Black Hill. dated c.1913.

Ernest Anderson (head gardener) and Harry (gardener) worked at Williamstown Botanic Gardens. The Anderson family lived in the curators lodge on the grounds in the 1930s. Horses were used at the gardens until the 1960s when the council bought a truck. Mr Biggs drove as Mr Anderson did not have a licence. He rode his bike to the Town Hall every Friday to put in the time sheets. The collection is the only known photos of the Gardens working horses and demonstrates Edwardian Municipal gardening techniques that continued into the 1960s. They are photographic evidence of the planting styles, species choices and structures. Details inscribed on the reverse of some of the photos confirm names of staff at this time. Photo 13 (m) m: Only known photo of Ernest Anderson to be held by the Gardens2013.001.a-l is a collection of 12 small format photographs from the Anderson family album dated from 1917-1936 plus one large image of donor's wedding c1953. Ernest Anderson (head gardener) and Harry (gardener) worked at Williamstown Botanic Gardens. The Anderson family lived in the curators lodge on the grounds in the 1930s. Photo 1 (a) Sepia photo of young girl (Chic Anderson) on horse with no saddle. Two men, with hands on hips, standing alongside wearing hats. All are on a small hill (a compost heap) with a shrub on the left of the image. Photo 2 (b) Young girl and horse standing on the top of a small hill (compost heap). Girl has short hair and is wearing a jumper, skirt and long socks. Horse has no saddle and has its head down as if to eat. Photo 3 (c) Horse and foal standing in a fenced enclosure. Part of yard is paved. Horse has a white blaze and white feet. Foal has white blaze and white legs and is looking up at the horse. Photo 4 (d) Horse pulling a mower. Two men standing with mower. One is holding mower, the other the reins of the horse. Both men are wearing hats, with one wearing a vest. Horse has hessian wrapping on his hooves. Photo 5 (e) Horse and man. Horse has a rope bridle. Man holding bridle and is dressed in trousers, shirt, cardigan and hat. They are in front of a hedge and closed timber gate. Tall palm is in background. Horse is side on to the camera. Photo 6 (f) Man and horse standing in front of hedge and open timber gate. Palms in background. Man wearing trousers, shirt, vest, tie, hat. Trousers look to be tucked into boots. He is looking at the horse. The horse is facing the camera. Photo 7 (g) Three horses looking over a picket fence. All with a white blaze. There is a timber wall with a window to the right of the photograph. A man’s arm holding something is seen on the right of the photo. Photo 8 (h) Large palm tree, understorey of shrubs with two palms in the background. Photo 9 (i) Scene of the Gardens. Path dividing at a conifer tree. Woman in long skirt and hat looking up at the conifer. Different varieties of palm trees with understorey of shrubs. Photo 10 (j) Garden bed of Dahlias surrounded by a wire fence. Palms and other trees in background. Photo 11 (k) Avenue of tall palm trees with under storey of shrubs. Photo has angles cut at top corners and two large crease marks at the bottom right hand corner. Photo 12 (l) Set of cast iron gates – double carriage gates with single pedestrian gates on either side and supported by four cast iron posts with ornamental finials on top. Photo 13 (m) Ernest Anderson and daughter Chic prior to her wedding. Ernest is holding his gloves in his left hand and Chic’s hand with his right. Palms trees in the background. Photo 1 (a) 'Ern & Harry / May 8th 1936' Photo 2 (b) ‘Jack aged 36 / Chic 5 years / (unclear) 1936’ Photo 3 (c) ‘foal born in / back shed’ Photo 4 (d) ‘The Olde Firm / Jack Ernie Harry / 1917’ Photo 6 (f ) ‘Before the / council provided / a truck all / work was done / with the horses’ Photo 7 (g) ‘our work horses’ Photo 9 (i) ‘Panoramic view of Gardens / looking South from Lodge / Wms Town Botanical Gardens / 15-10-17’ Photo 12 (l) ‘Gates Public Gardens’hobsons-bay-city-council, curator, lodge, horse, transport, dahlia, compost, anderson, williamstown, botanic, gardens, williamstown-botanic-gardens, hobsons-bay, hobsons, edwardian, gardening, 1936, 1917,

June Harris Smith (1935) died before, "Green Grows Our Garden," A.P. Winzenried, was published and last visited the Gardens in the late 1980's. Her son, Leigh Harris, donated the photograph and photocopies of her Certificate of Competency in Horticulture, her Report Card for 1934 and her Business Card. He visited the College in on FOBG Open Day 2000 (his letter filed ?). A group of female students resting in a grain crop with 1 sitting on the horse. June Harris (nee Smith) (1935) is holding the reins. Also Certificate of Competency and Report Card female students, grain crop, horse, june harris ( smith), leigh harris, certificate of competency, report card

The Bendigo Easter Fair was established in 1871 to fundraise for the Bendigo Hospital and the Bendigo Benevolent Asylum. Donated by the Sadner family who were associated with the Bendigo Hospital, these family snap shots capture the regalia and atmosphere that the Chinese community bring to this community event. Set of three black and white photographs. All photograph are taken on the streets of Bendigo during the 1938 Easter fair and parade. 0322.1; Exterior; Three people on horses in traditional chinese costume. Person in the foreground is holding the reins of one of the horses. 0322.2; Exterior; street view with children in foreground and a line of people in costume holding chinese banners. 0322.3 Exterior, street view from balcony of the two cars with people lined up on either side.Verso; 0322.1, 0322.2 27 April, 1938. 0322.3 Handwritten; Late 1930's C/r Mitchell, Garsed Streets from Terminus Hotel Balcony.eugene and mollie sandner collection, bendigo hospital, eugene sandner, mollie sandner, mollie sibson, bendigo easter fair, mayor sandner, mayoress sandner, bendigo chinese dragon

This image shows the house occupied by Thomas Mason and his family in 1883. The man in the centre of the image holding the reins of the horse is possibly Thomas Mason. One of the two women seated in the buggy is possibly his wife Catherine Mason (nee Whelan). This house was built by grazier George Palmer Hall around 1846-1848 north of what is now Lerderderg Street, Bacchus Marsh, at a point close to the Lerderderg RIver. The house and the accompanying farm of over 5,000 hectares was leased by George Ball to George Hobler in the late 1840s and early 1850s. During this time George Hobler's daughter Emily married Henry Bacchus the son of Captain William Bacchus. By 1865 Thomas Mason had purchased the property. Mason named the property Riverton. After his death in the 1890s the property was owned by a number of different people. The house was still in use until 1999 but since this time has been unoccupied and its condition has significantly deteriorated.This image is significant because it depicts one of the earliest houses built in the town of Bacchus Marsh. It is probably the earliest surviving image of this Bacchus Marsh pre-gold rush structure.Small sepia unframed photograph on card with gold border framing photograph. Housed in the album, 'Photographs of Bacchus Marsh and District in 1883 by Stevenson and McNicoll'. The image shows a brick house, with an iron roof and with a white picket fence around the front garden. There is a buggy to the left of the image with two women seated in it. A man stands in front of the buggy holding the reins of a white horse which is harnessed to the buggy. Further to the right of the image is an older man with his hands in his pockets. On the front: Stevenson & McNicoll. Photo. 108 Elizabeth St. Melbourne. COPIES CAN BE OBTAINED AT ANY TIME. On the back: LIGHT & TRUTH inscribed on a banner surmounted by a representation of the rising sun. Copies of this Portrait can be had at any time by sending the Name and Post Office Money Order or Stamps for the amount of order to STEVENSON & McNICOLL LATE BENSON & STEVENSON, Photographers. 108 Elizabeth Street, MELBOURNE stevenson and mcnicoll 1883 photographs of bacchus marsh and district, houses bacchus marsh, george hobler 1800-1882, henry bacchus 1820-1887, emily bacchus, mason family bacchus marsh

Used on larger horses for pulling heavier loadsManufactured and sold by Holden and Frost Leather case straw filled oval shaped collar over a steel and wooden frame having brackets and lugs for attachment to reinscollar, horse, agricultural

as used on horses to pull a variety of heavy equipment Ca 1900as manufactured and sold by Holden and FrostShaped to fit on horses back with two straps that fit around horses belly Two metal rings for reins two brackets for strapping and a metal buckle on end of belly bandPatent etched on saddle surfacecart / van tree, equine

used circa 1900 in agriculture and on draught horsesAs manufactured and sold by Holden and FrostShaped to fit on horses back with two straps that fit around horses belly two metal rings for reins two brackets for strapping and a metal buckle on the end of the belly bandPattern etched on backsaddle cart, equine, agriculture

Used on horse drawn vehicles, agricultural and social Ca 1900Manufactured and sold by Holden and FrostShaped to fit horses back with two straps that fit arond horses girth . Two metal rings for reins Two brackets for strapping and a metal buckle on end of Girth strapPattern etched on saddle surfaceequine, saddle cart, agricultural

Imported and sold by Holden and Frost for dress reins and other horse tackleImported and sold by Holden and Frost Ca1900Brass dress half buckle imported by Hokden and Frostpressed swirls on barequine military, civilian, buckle

Ken Peeler (at head of horse), Ken's father, Ern Peeler and brother Don Peeler (sitting on load) with dray-load of 'five-foot wood'. Peeler's Road, Barkers Creek. Photographed by Alice 'Girlie' Adams, approx. 1942. Families living at Barkers Creek and Woodbrook obtained contracts to supply 'five foot wood' to Thompson's Foundry and Castlemaine Woollen Co. Rows of wood, neatly stacked, 10’ high X 5’ wide covered many acres at each factory, ready for use in firing the boilers. Much bushland was thus cleared for orchard or pasture. The horse depicted is fully harnessed with bridle, eye-winkers and reins, dray collar, hames, shaft saddle with girth & pole straps and breeching straps. Neatly stowed under the dray shafts can be seen the props, used to keep the dray horizontal when the horse was to be taken out of the shafts. The dray was almost entirely constructed of wood, with steel tyres on the wheelsA reminder of the significance of local sources of fuel to some of Victoria’s biggest manufacturing concerns as well as depicting a major source of employment involving minimal capital. A B&W photograph depicting 2 men and a boy with a horse-drawn dray filled with wood. Photograph taken by Alice 'Girlie' Adams in 1942. Ken Peeler, Ern Peeler and Don Peeler appear in the picture along with a horse with no known name.