Hi guys,

We all know marbles are used for playing games and as objects of art, but there are a lot of other uses that no-one thinks about. I thought I would try to collect some weird uses for the humble marble.

I'll kick it off...

As a vet, I use marbles to prevent mares from cycling (coming into oestrus). The marble (35-40mm) is passed through the cervix when the mare is in season in a sterile manner. It acts as a kind of IUD and the mare stops cycling. This is important in the racing industry where the drugs to do this are banned.

Marbles in a birdbath attract birds

A marble or two in the saucepan when you make jam helps keep it off the bottom and prevent burning.

In the same way, marbles can help you stir the paint in a can (or act as a shaker).

A marble in the kettle lets you know when it is boiling (it rattles).

So, what is the most unusual use for a marble that you have seen? Or been asked for a marble for?