Thing to chain up slaves?

[deputystud_bw]

I found this on an old farm. The farm was built before the civil war. I was thinking its used to chain up slaves. Any thoughts?

 

[Larry (IL)]

Or horses, cattle and goats even the family dog.

 

[ojm bc]

According to Howard Crouch's book "Civil War Artifacts" on page 129, watering bits were used when the horse was at rest and were a specified part of the trooper's gear. Measures approximately 11 1/8 inches in length and its ring diameter is approximately 2 3/4 inches.??

 

[charlie dert]

I think the idea of a tie down for an animal is a good guess.

 

[dave5710]

Before tractors, a farmer would run a harrow over the ground to break up the clods. If you wanted the harrow to be pulled evenly there would of been a rope, strap or chain on both left and right sides and another in the middle that would connect together at a center point behind the horses. I imagine rings were used on many early implements.

 

[taz42o]

Clean it up take a pic that shows the attachment point and show what size it is.
It could be 1" or 6"?
Might be center ring for a yoke.

 

[blue dunbar]

Also refered to as a "hooble". Can also be made from rope for frontier travel.