They exist because in Victorian England, huge herds of cattle were driven through the streets to market and then to slaughter houses. They used to be brought in to towns and cities by drovers but they were put out of business by the coming of the railways. There used to be a huge cattle market behind Kings Cross station in London, thankfully now gone. Victorian London - Markets - Metropolitan Cattle Market, Copenhagen Fields There is a cattle trough in Craven Arms in Shropshire that bears the legend, "Be kind and merciful to all creatures".
Saw this glimpse on TV today at Windsor Castle. Assume it's still used during parades? Any history available on this awesome thing? EDIT: Found it Equestrian statue of Charles II, Windsor Castle - Wikipedia