Horses were used for many tasks around the farm until the early 20th century – pulling ploughs, wagons & all sorts of other farm equipment. Horse harness has been decorated in different ways for thousand of years. There are many examples of Roman, Saxon and Celtic metal decorations. During the 19th century, there was much emphasis in agricultural improvement and animal welfare. By the late 18 and 19th century heavy horse harness was decorated with brasses & bells of all kinds and sizes. Some of it served a functional purpose, but much was purely for display. During this era working horse parades were popular throughout the British Isles and prizes were given. Horse brasses, bells and other harness decorations, as well as special grooming, gave the working animals a truly magnificent appearance & status. Even in the 21st century, decades after the arrival of tractors, teams of draught horses are kept for display purposes, and the ability to plough a straight furrow with a horse drawn plough at a ploughing match is a valued skill.