used in the making of bridles during the 19th and early 20th centuries by Holden and FrostUsed and sold by Holden and Frost Ca1900square brass link used in horse accessoriesequine military, civilian, agriculture ca1900, link

Used on horse tackle during 19th and early 20th centuries imported by Holden and frostImported used and sold by Holden and FrostPlain steel chain lifter (hook)equine military, agriculture, civilian ca1900, chain lifter

Used on horse tackle during 19th and early 20th century, imported by Holden and FrostImported, used and sold by Holden and Frost Ca1900Steel chain lifter hook Ca1900equine agriculture, military, civilian ca1900, chain lifter

Used on horse tackle during the 19th and 20th centuries and imported by Holden and FrostImported used and sold by Holden and Frost Ca1900Brass cab pedestal used on harness fittinhequine, military, agriculture, civilian, ca1900, cab pedestal

Used on horse tackle during 19th and 20th centuries and imported by Holden and FrostImported used and sold by Holden and Frost Ca1900Brass horse shoe shaped buckle used on equine accessoriesimprint of supposed horse shoe nailsequine, military, agriculture, civilian ca1900, buckle

Used on horse tackle during the late 19th and early 20th century by Holden and FrostSteel full twin bar buckleequine military, civilian, agriculture ca1900, buckle

Used on horse tackle during the 19th and 20th centuries and imported by Holden and FrostImported used and sold by Holden and Frost Ca1900Brass half buckle used as an equine accessoryequine, military, agriculture, civilian ca1900, buckle

Used on horse tackle during 19th and 20th centuries and imported by Holden and FrostUsed and sold by Holden and Frost Ca1900Brass half buckle with diamond shaped press top used on harness equipmentequine, military, agriculture, civilian ca1900, buckle

Used and sold by Holden and Frost in the 1800's and early 1900.sUsed Imported and sold by Holden and FrostBrass saddle that was to be used on Equine accessoriesequine civilian, military, agriculture ca1900, strap saddle

"Melton has a long and celebrated history of horse breeding and racing. Draught horses were a crucial aspect of life in the early days of European settlement, and were heavily depended upon for both transport and agricultural labour. Peppercorn trees at the corner of Station and Brooklyn roads have been associated with a horse trough installed there to provide a drink to workhorses carting produce to the chaff mills and railway station south of Melton.20 Breeders, trainers and harness drivers in the area later became such an influential force in the equine industry that this came to be a defining aspect of the district’s identity and reputation.Pioneer of the Victorian horse racing industry and early Rockbank squatter William Cross Yuille was one of the earliest importers of stud racehorses in the district in the 1850s. A leading sports editor and writer, Yuille established bloodstock auctioning agency W. C. Yuille & Co. and was involved in the compilation of the first Australian Stud Book, which ensures the integrity of thoroughbred breeding in Australia. According to early Melton chronicler Alexander Cameron, horse races were first organised in the area by Rockbank farmer William Keating. Keating owned racehorses of his own, and many brought horses from Melbourne for the events, which ‘drew large gatherings’.22 Melton Racing Club meetings were held on the Exford Estate with the permission of H. W. Staughton, who built a small wooden grandstand in 1882. Other early races and sports meetings are said to have been held in the vicinity of the current-day Melton golf course.23 An 1884 article reported that Melton’s ‘race programme … equals any put forth by country towns of far greater size’. Ernest Clarke was another important figure in the early horse racing industry in Melton. He established the Melton Stud in 1902, which bred numerous successful racehorses. Perhaps most notably The Welkin, one of the most famous stallions in Australian horse racing in the early twentieth century. The Welkin sired Gloaming, bred by Clarke at the Melton stud in 1915 and one of Australia’s greatest champion racehorses. During a long and prestigious career in both Australia and New Zealand, Gloaming achieved a triumphant 57 wins out of 67 starts and won a record amount of prize money. Ken Cox purchased the Stockwell Stud in Diggers Rest in 1957 and developed it into one of the largest and most renowned thoroughbred breeders in Australia. With its top-class facilities, international design standards and scientific methods, Stockwell became ‘the flagship of the Victorian breeding industry’.26 As well as racing studs, numerous trotting tracks were established on the flat plains around Melton in the 1960s.27 Other studs to play a leading role in the development of Melton as thoroughbred country were Cornwall Park and Merrywood at Toolern Vale, St John’s Lane Stud at Diggers Rest and Birchwood, Teppo Park and Dreelburn in the far north-east of the shire, near Sunbury. By 1985, thoroughbred horse breeding was such big business in Melton that the shire council adopted the slogan ‘The Heart of Thoroughbred Country’, which was used throughout its promotional material.29 But the slogan contained deeper meaning and was not just about Melton’s great equine industry and thoroughbred champions, the council explained: ‘“Thoroughbred Country” should be seen as a new concept of Melton, as a place where people can achieve the “Thoroughbred” ideal, excellence in all aspects of life’. The aim of the council in promoting ‘The Heart of Thoroughbred Country’, was ‘to instil in present and future residents the feeling that this is a place that is better than others. A place to be proud of’. In 1988, Melton’s champion reinsman Gavin Lang won his 176th race of the season, claiming the national harness racing record for the most wins in a single season.The following year, the first Melton Plate was held at Moonee Valley Racecourse, cementing the district’s importance in the harness racing industry. The inaugural winner was Victorys Phil, owned by local Danny Mullan. By the 1990s, Melton had earned the title of the ‘Home of Harness Racing in Victoria’. State-of-the-art, world-class harness racing facility and entertainment complex Tabcorp Park opened in Melton in 2009. In 2011, the Shire of Melton was home to over 140 registered trainers and over 1,200 horses. The municipality’s continuing leadership and influence in the industry today is a testament to the skills, talents and leadership of the local community over its history".Shire of Melton pamphlet of a map and information of the equine industry in Meltoncouncil

Used on horse tackle during 19th and 20th centuries and manufactured by Holden and Frost.Sold and manufactured by Holden and Frost for military ,agricultural and civilian use.Circa 1910 Two nickel plated rings on outside held together with twisted chain.Nilequine, military, agriculture, civilian, ca1910, horse bit

Used on horse tackle during the 19th and 20th century, imported and sold by Holden and Frost.Sold by Holden and Frost for military, agricultural and civilian use c1900Nicklel Plated Half Buckle used on horse tackleNilmilitary, equine, agricultrue, civilian, c1900, buckle

Manufactured and sold by Holden and Frost used on horse tackle during 19th and 20th centuries on saddle horse and carriage horse.Manufactured and sold by Holden and Frost c1900 for military, agriculture and civilian useBlack metal hackney Horse Bit, equestrian accessoryNILequine, military, agriculture, civilian, c1900, bit

Used on horse tackle during 19th and 20th centuries and manufactured by Holden and FrostSold by Holden and Frost for military agricultural and civilian use c1900Two small rings inside two larger rings held together with black painted steel barequine, military, agriculture, civilian c1900, buggy bit