They find use in many areas as a percussion instrument, including the classic sleigh bell sound and morris dancing.
The bell was designed to make a jingly sound whenever the horse and thus the vehicle was in motion.
This was especially important for sleighs, which otherwise make almost no sound as they travel over packed snow, and are difficult to stop quickly.
4; Sergei Prokofiev calls for sleigh bells in his Lieutenant Kijé Suite.
In the US state of Massachusetts jingle bells are required by law to be installed on horse-drawn sleighs.