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This is a farrier's fly switch. It was used to keep the flies off horses while they were being shod. The switch is made of horse hair so the animal thinks it is his own tail - the donor said that brushing the flies off by hand made the horses restive and difficult to shoe.

1 fly switch: metal; leather; horsehair

Letter, J. K. Roberts to the Curator, 18 June 1959 – ‘This was described as a fly switch is, I think more likely to be a decorative twitch used, as you doubtless know, to quieten restive horses by twisting and compressing the upper lip. // Very much enjoyed my visit.’, MERL ‘Associated information’ form – 'Used for keeping flies off spirited horses while they were being shod. Usually wielded by person who brought the animal in. As animal thinks it is his own tail all goes well - Mr Underwood said that brushing flies off by hand tends to make the horse restive and difficult to shoe. He has another whisk which he made from a horses tail he docked over 40 years ago. // (This is the first time I have seen or heard of this use of this article. JA)'

1900-01-01 - 1924-12-31

Early-twentieth century

Leather, Metal, Hair, horse