Woolmarks and horn burns

The Museum has several sheep markers in different sizes. Some are for marking the sheep's newly shorn fleece with a hot tar or dye, so she is identifiable from any distance away. The "smit mark" only lasts until she is shorn again, but is easy to read.

Failing to mark a sheep after clipping may mean she can't be identified if she strays: thus, "losing the sheep for a ha'porth of tar". The letter many stand for the owner's surname, or the farm name, such as Aldby. An alternative interpretation of the "ha'porth of tar" may be a reference to the "salving" of sheep.

Right: Wool marker

Right: The business end of a horn brand, the letters E H (or if used upside down, H E!)

The ewe will carry her horns, and the horn burn, all her life, unless she is poorly fed at some time. Then she may grow a weak section of horn and lose the horn burn by an accident.

Right: An assortment of horn brands. Each farm had a set with its own letters; several were needed, so that some were heating while others were in use. Farms with common grazing on the fell still use this system combined with the smit mark.