Protection of pit ponies and horses, illustration. The 19th century rapid expansion of the Victorian coal industry increased the number of horses sent underground. By 1912, there were over 71 thousand of the horses, taller ponies and smaller ponies. in the British collieries, working in the mines, hauling coal from the coalfaces to the mine shafts. The public strongly supported the concept of animal welfare in the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) .Feelings were high when pit ponies and horses were badly treated by some of the miners and some owners of coalmines. In 1912, nearly one million miners went on a national coal strike for higher wages. Previously, in the British Coal Mines Act of 1911, there were tougher laws to protect the horses and ponies when underground. They had to be four years old, vet-checked with proper horse shoes, and working a daily eight-hours shift. However, inspections were not always favourable.