A historic mining term for a young boy employed underground to help a headsman or putter transport loaded coal tubs from the working face to the main haulage ways. The foal typically pulled from the front using a harness or pushed from behind. It was one of the earliest and most physically demanding jobs given to children in traditional coal mining.
My great-grandfather started in the pits as a foal when he was just ten, pushing tubs in the dark for pennies a shift.
Related terms
Putter
A historic mine worker who pushed loaded coal tubs from the face to the main haulage road.
Headsman
A historic coal mining term for a laborer who transported coal from the working face to the main haulage road.
Hurrier
A historic occupation for a person who dragged tubs of coal from the working face to the shaft.