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Please see the most recent updates in the "Where did the .com name go?" thread. Posts number 16 and 17.
London Street Scenes
- Thread starter TuFun
- Start date
I was listening to a jolly good documentary on the wireless yesterday that came up with some staggering facts;
In 1900 the horse population was somewhere in the order of 100,000.
The life expectancy of a horse drawing an omnibus was approximately 4 years.
The Great Horse Manure Crisis of 1894 found that if something radical was not done about horse manure then in another 50 years every street in London would be buried under 9 feet of manure!
Then along came the 'Horseless Carriage' and the World changed forever.
And then, of course, some bright chap strapped one of these new wonder engines to the front of a kite and we were all in business.
In 1900 the horse population was somewhere in the order of 100,000.
The life expectancy of a horse drawing an omnibus was approximately 4 years.
The Great Horse Manure Crisis of 1894 found that if something radical was not done about horse manure then in another 50 years every street in London would be buried under 9 feet of manure!
Then along came the 'Horseless Carriage' and the World changed forever.
And then, of course, some bright chap strapped one of these new wonder engines to the front of a kite and we were all in business.
It must have been tough on those poor horses. A good profit margin for the owner demanded the horse be on the job every single day, so many were worked very hard and one wonders at the amount and quality of rest and maintenance they received when their (very hard) working day was done.
Also, I read somewhere constantly walking on cobbles is very hard on a horse, and eventually leads to hoof problems and hairline fractures in their lower legs, which could also account for the high loss rate. If you've ever read or seen "Black Beauty," mention is made of this even in this childrens' book. Very sad in some parts.
Also, I read somewhere constantly walking on cobbles is very hard on a horse, and eventually leads to hoof problems and hairline fractures in their lower legs, which could also account for the high loss rate. If you've ever read or seen "Black Beauty," mention is made of this even in this childrens' book. Very sad in some parts.