Horse Brasses

What exactly are horse brasses? Why are they significant? I’ve often asked myself these questions when I see them at antique stores or on display in tack shops and barns. Sure, they’re kinda neat, but I’ve always wondered what their original purpose was. Yesterday, curiosity got the best of me and I decided to do a little research on them.

I found out that they originated as harness decorations in ancient Rome and gained popularity in England sometime before the 12th century, where they became status symbols. Some also considered them amulets that would ward off evil spirits if placed on a horse’s martingale. They were made of hand-hammered sheets of brass and usually featured images of the sun, which represented “light”. Approaching the 19th century, these brasses became more popular among harness horses in the English countryside and began appearing in pubs as decoration. With the rise in popularity of working horse parades during this time, the Royal Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals began giving them out as awards and to commemorate events. Soon after, they became a souvenir item and often featured images of specific places or events and even advertising. [CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS]

Today, they’re considered collectible items and can often be found in antique stores, flea markets and some souvenir shops. They’ve made a bit of a comeback in recent years with modern variations being used as designs for bottle openers and even t-shirts. Equestrian designer Tara Kiwi even featured them on one of her t-shirts [CLICK HERE TO VIEW]!

Still want more? Check out the NATIONAL HORSE BRASS SOCIETY WEBSITE! And if you want more examples on how to re-purpose your old horse brasses, check out this post from THE POLOHOUSE! I think they’d also make a cute addition to a holiday wreath, a door hanger or even used as decoration on your tack trunk! I’m sure you can think of more ways to use them in your home or barn! Happy collecting!