Canal Boat Horses

Canal building started as early as 1759. Barges were towed by horses then, (we still call them towpaths). A horse could tow fifty times the weight on a canal than it could on the primitive roads of the time. Horses were still being used on canals until well into the 20th century.
If you look on the lower corner of the bridge you can see the rope marks worn into the stone over the years.