Horseshoe 13480 224487065 2008-07-09T01:49:45Z Getwood 5034212 /* Folklore */ 1) Deleted blacksmith/farrier terminology, which is more appropriate for the [[Farrier]] article. 2) Reworded to resolve fragment {{Otheruses}} [[Image:Horseshoe.jpg|thumb|250px|Modern horseshoes are most commonly made of [[steel]] and nailed into the hoof wall.]] A '''horseshoe''' is a U-shaped item made of metal or of modern synthetic materials, [[nail (engineering)|nail]]ed or [[Polymethyl methacrylate|glue]]d to the [[hooves]] of [[horses]] and some other [[draught animal]]s. Like a [[shoe]] on a human, it is used to protect the animal's feet from wear and tear. Professional horseshoers, called [[farrier]]s, usually place horseshoes on the solar (outer) surface of the hoof by nailing through the insensitive hoof wall, which is analogous anatomically to the human [[toenail]], though much larger and thicker. Some horseshoes have "calkins", "caulks", or "calks", protrusions at the toe and/or heels of the shoe, to provide additional traction. Horseshoes are available in a wide variety of materials and styles, developed for different types of horses and the work they do. The most common materials are [[steel]] and [[aluminium]], but specialized shoes may include use of [[rubber]], [[plastic]], [[magnesium]], [[titanium]] or [[copper]].<ref name=Catalog84>Price, Steven D. (ed.) ''The Whole Horse Catalog: Revised and Updated'' New York:Fireside 1998 ISBN 0-684-83995-4 p. 84–87</ref> Steel tends to be preferred in sports where a strong, long-wearing shoe is needed, such as [[polo]], [[eventing]], [[show jumping]], and [[western riding]] events. Aluminum shoes are lighter, making them common in [[horse racing]], where a lighter shoe is desired; and often facilitate certain types of desired movement, and so are favored in the discipline of [[dressage]].<ref name=Evans731>Evans, J. Warren et al. ''The Horse'' Second Edition New York: Freeman 1990 ISBN 0-7167-1811-1 p. 731–739</ref> When kept as a [[amulet|talisman]], a horseshoe is said to bring good [[luck]]. A stylized variation of the horseshoe is used for a popular throwing game, [[horseshoes]]. ==History== [[Image:Hipposandal-ermont.jpg|thumb|A hipposandal, a predecessor to the horseshoe]] Since the early history of [[domestication of the horse]], it was noted that [[working animal]]s were exposed to many conditions that created breakage or excessive hoof wear.{{Fact|date=April 2008}} Ancient people recognized the need for the walls (and sometimes the sole) of domestic horses' hooves to have additional protection over and above any natural hardness.{{Fact|date=April 2008}} Because [[iron]] was a valuable commodity, and any worn out items were generally melted down and reused, it is difficult to locate clear [[archaeology|archaeological]] evidence of the earliest horseshoes.<ref name="Heymering">[http://www.horseshoes.com/advice/invtshoe/winvhrs.htm Heymering, henry RJF, CJF. "Who Invented Horseshoeing?" Web page accessed [[November 18]], [[2007]]</ref> From archaeological finds in [[Great Britain]], it appears that the [[Ancient Rome|Romans]] attempted to protect their horses' feet with a strap-on, solid-bottomed "hipposandal" that has a slight resemblance to the modern [[hoof boot]],<ref>{{cite web | title = British Museum Website: hipposandal | url=http://www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/pe_prb/i/iron_hipposandal.aspx | accessdate = 2007-08-23 }}</ref> and earlier people may have used rawhide boots or other wrappings to protect horse's feet. The nailed shoe was a relatively late invention. According to the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition (1911), :"Though the ancients were sufficiently impressed by the damage done to horses' hoofs to devise certain forms of covering for them (in the shape of socks or sandals), the practice of nailing iron plates or rim-shoes to the hoof does not appear to have been introduced earlier than the 2nd century B.C., and was not commonly known till the close of the 5th century A.D., or in regular use till the middle ages. The evidence for the earlier date depends on the doubtful interpretations of designs on coins, &c." There is very little evidence of nailed-on shoes prior to AD 500 or 600, though there is speculation that the Celtic [[Gauls]] were the first to nail on metal horseshoes.<ref name=Natural57>McBane, Susan ''A Natural Approach to Horse Management'' London:Methuen 1992 ISBN 0-413-62370-X p. 57–60</ref> The [[Ancient Greece|ancient Greek]] horse trainer [[Xenophon]] mentioned nothing about horseshoes in his treatise on the care of military cavalry, nor did the ''Digesta Artis Veterlnariae'' by [[Vegetius Renatus]], written in AD 480, mention nailed-on shoes, though he accurately enumerated everything connected with an army forge in the time. There are early literary references in the [[Koran]], circa AD 632, to "war-horses… which strike fire, by dashing their hoofs against the stones…" which arguably is an effect that could only be obtained by shod horses. The earliest clear written record of iron horseshoes is a reference to "crescent figured irons and their nails" the first written record of iron horseshoes in AD 910. By the time of the [[Crusades]] (1096 – 1270), horseshoes were widespread and frequently mentioned in various written sources.<ref name="Heymering"/> ==Reasons for use of horseshoes== [[Image:Horseshoemaker.jpg|thumb|right|A horseshoe maker in India.]] ===Environmental changes linked to domestication=== [[Image:Hot Horseshoe (stevefe).jpg|thumb|left|A hot horseshoe in a forge. The metal is softened so that it can be more precisely shaped to the horse's hoof.]] Many changes brought about by [[domestication of the horse]] have led to weakened feet and a need for shoes, including: *Less movement and softer terrain: horseshoes are not needed in nature as the horse walks and [[graze]]s continuously over a wide variety of terrain. In the wild, a horse may travel up to 50 miles per day to obtain adequate forage. The consequence of this slow but nonstop travel on the horse's feet is to keep them worn to a small, smooth, even and hard state. The continual stimulation of the sole of the foot keeps it thick and hard. However, in [[domestication]], the customary amount of ground covered by a horse on a daily basis is greatly reduced, and is often very soft, such as irrigated land, arena footing, or stall bedding. Therefore, hooves harden much less and are more vulnerable to injury. *Wetter climate: Domesticated horses have moved from the arid steppes to either wetter climates or farming areas with intense irrigation. These softer and heavier soils soften the hooves and have made them prone to splitting, making hoof protection necessary. Consequently, it was in northern Europe that the nailed horseshoe arose in its modern form. *Exposure to ammonia: The hooves of horses that are kept in stalls or small turnouts are constantly exposed to ammonia from urine. The hoof capsule is mostly made from keratin, a [[protein]], and is weakened by this exposure. Wearing shoes does not prevent or reduce damage from ammonia exposure. Rather, they are meant to reduce wear on weakened hooves. *Improper management: In captivity, without the natural conditioning factors present in the wild, the feet of horses grow overly large, long, fragile and soft. Hence, protection from rocks, pebbles and hard, uneven surfaces is lacking. Horse's hooves require regular trimming and close attention paid to a balanced diet. Without these precautions, cracks in overgrown and overly brittle hoof walls are a danger, as is bruising of the soft tissues within the foot because of inadequately thick and hard sole material. ===Physical stresses requiring horseshoes=== *Abnormal stress: Horses' hooves can become quite worn out when subjected to the added weight/stress of a [[human being|human]], pack loads, cart or [[wagon]].<ref name=HH367>Ensminger, M. E. ''Horses and Horsemanship: Animal Agriculture Series.'' Sixth Edition. Interstate Publishers, 1990. ISBN 0-8134-2883-1 p. 367–371</ref> [[Image:Barshoes.JPG|right|thumb|These '''bar shoes''' are commonly used in corrective shoeing, as they help support the heels.]] *Corrective shoeing: The shape, weight, and thickness of a horseshoe can significantly affect the horse's gait. [[Farrier]]s trained in hot shoeing can make custom shoes to help horses with bone or musculature problems in their legs.<ref name=Ensg267>Ensminger, M. E. ''Horses & Tack: A Complete One Volume Reference on Horses and Their Care'' Rev. ed. Boston:Houghton Mifflin Co. 1991 ISBN 0-395-54413-0 p. 267–269</ref> *Traction: Traction devices such as [[borium]] for ice, [[horse shoe studs]] for muddy or slick conditions, calks, and rims are useful for performance horses such as [[eventing|eventers]], [[show jumping|show jumpers]], [[polo|polo ponies]], and other horses that perform at high speeds, over changing terrain, or in less-than-ideal footing.<ref name=Catalog84/> *Gait Manipulation: Some breeds such as the [[Saddlebred]], [[Tennessee Walker|Tennessee Walking Horse]], and other gaited horses are judged on their high-stepping movement. Special shoeing can help enhance their natural movement.<ref name=Catalog84/> ==Horseshoeing theories and debates== Horseshoes have always been viewed, even by professional [[farrier]]s, as an aid to assist horses' hooves when subjected to the various unnatural conditions brought about by domestication, whether due to work conditions or stabling and management. Countless generations of domestic horses bred for size, color, speed, and many other traits with little regard for hoof quality and soundness make some [[list of horse breeds|breeds]] more dependent on horseshoes than [[feral horse]]s such as [[mustang (horse)|mustangs]], which develop strong hooves as a matter of natural selection. [[Image:Easyboot.jpg|thumb|A hoof boot can be used in place of a horseshoe or as a temporary substitute for a thrown shoe]] Nonetheless, domestic horses do not always require shoes. There is near-universal agreement among professionals that when possible, a barefoot hoof, at least for part of every year, is a healthy option for most horses. Farriers usually agree that some horses may even be able to go without shoes year-round, using temporary protection such as [[hoof boot]]s for short-term use. However, some farriers are equally adamant that horseshoes have their place and can help prevent excess or abnormal hoof wear and injury to the foot.<ref name=Natural57/> Recently, there has been a renewed debate over the traditional role of horseshoes. Observations of [[feral horse]]s and barefoot domestic horses in natural boarding situations (including being kept on roomy pasture, not in stalls) have provided additional evidence that domesticated horses can grow hooves as healthy as those of feral horses and may not need shoes as often as many people think. Proponents of this idea, also known as the [[barefoot horse]] movement, argue that with proper care, horses may never need shoes at any time once they have been properly transitioned. Thus, the debate of when, where, why and if to use horseshoes is a hot topic today. ==Process of shoeing== [[Image:Farrier toolslabled.JPG|right|thumb|upright|Farrier tools]] [[Image:Shoeing in progress.jpg|right|thumb|upright|The shoe, showing a ''toe clip'', has just had the nails driven in through the hoof. The farrier will then cut the nails, and bend the cut end over to form a clinch.]] Shoeing, when performed correctly, causes no pain to the animal. Farriers trim the insensitive part of the hoof, which is the same area into which they drive the nails. This is analogous to a [[manicure]] on a human fingernail, only on a much larger scale.<ref name=Catalog84/> Before beginning to shoe, the farrier removes the old shoe using ''pincers'' (shoe pullers) and trims the hoof wall to the desired length with ''nippers'', a sharp plier-like tool, and the sole and [[frog (horse)|frog]] of the hoof with a ''hoof knife''. Shoes do not allow the hoof to wear down as it naturally would in the wild, and it can then become too long. The coffin bone inside the hoof should line up straight with both bones in the [[pastern]]. If the excess hoof is not trimmed, the bones will become misaligned, which would place stress on the legs of the animal.<ref name=Evans742>Evans, J. Warren et al. ''The Horse'' Second Edition New York: Freeman 1990 ISBN 0-7167-1811-1 p. 742–747</ref> Shoes are then measured to the foot and bent to the correct shape using a ''hammer and anvil'', and other modifications, such as taps for [[shoe studs]], are added. Farriers may either '''cold shoe''', in which he bends the metal shoe without heating it, or '''hot shoe''', in which he places the metal in a forge before bending it. Hot shoeing can be more time-consuming, and requires the farrier to have access to a forge, however it usually provides a better fit, as the mark made on the hoof from the hot shoe can show how even it lies. It also allows the farrier to make more modifications to the shoe, such as drawing toe- and quarter-clips. The farrier must take care not to hold the hot shoe against the hoof too long, as the heat can damage the hoof.<ref name=Evans742/> Hot shoes are placed in water to cool them off. The farrier then nails the shoes on, by driving the nails into the hoof wall at the [[horse hoof|white line]] of the hoof. The nails are shaped in such a way that they bend outward as they are driven in, avoiding the sensitive inner part of the foot, so that they emerge on the sides of the hoof. When the nail has been completely driven, the farrier cuts off the sharp points and uses a ''clincher'' (a form of tongs made especially for this purpose) or a clinching block with hammer to bend the rest of the nail so it is almost flush with the hoof wall. This prevents the nail from getting caught on anything, but also helps to hold the nail (and therefore the shoe) in place.<ref name=Evans742/> The farrier then uses a ''rasp'' (large file), to smooth the edge where it meets the shoe and eliminate any sharp edges left from cutting off the nails.<ref name=Evans742/> ===Shoeing mistakes=== Mistakes are sometimes made by even a skilled farrier, especially if the horse does not stand still. This may sometimes result in a nail coming too close to the sensitive part of the hoof (putting pressure on it), or a nail that is driven slightly into the sensitive hoof, called "quicking" or nail pricking. This occurs when a nail penetrates wall and hits the sensitive internal structures of the foot. Quicking results in bleeding and pain and the horse may show signs of [[lameness (equine)|lameness]] or may become lame in following days. Whenever it happens, the farrier must remove the offending nail. Usually a horse that is quicked will react immediately, though some cases where the nail is close to sensitive structures may not cause immediate problems. These mistakes are made occasionally by anyone who shoes horses, and in most cases is not an indication that the farrier is unskilled. It happens most commonly when horses move around while being shod, but also may occur if the hoof wall is particularly thin (common in [[Thoroughbred]]s), or if the hoof wall is brittle or damaged. It may also occur with an inexperienced or unskilled horseshoer who misdrives a nail, uses a shoe that is too small, or has not fitted the shoe to the shape of the horse's hoof. Occasionally, manufacturing defects in nails or shoes may also cause a misdriven nail that quicks a horse. However, the term "farrier" implies a professional horseshoer with skill, education, and training. Some people who shoe horses are untrained or unskilled, and likely to do more harm than good for the horse. Incompetent horseshoers are not true farriers. People who do not understand the horse's foot will not trim the hoof correctly. This can cause serious problems for the animal, resulting in chronic lameness and damage to the hoof wall. Poor trimming will usually place the hoof at an incorrect angle, leave the foot laterally unbalanced and may cut too much off certain areas of the hoof wall, or trim too much of the frog or sole. Some horseshoers will rasp the hoof down to fit an improperly shaped or too-small size of shoe, which is damaging to the movement of the horse and can damage the hoof itself if trimmed or rasped too short. A poor horseshoer can also make mistakes in the shoeing process itself, not only quicking a horse, but also putting shoe on crooked, using the wrong type of shoe for the job at hand, shaping the shoe improperly, or setting it on too far forward or back. ==Folklore== {{seealso|Iron in mythology|Superstition|folklore}} [[Image:Horseshoe lucky on door.jpg|thumb|upright|A horseshoe on a door is regarded a protective [[amulet|talisman]] in some cultures]] Horseshoes are considered a [[good luck charm]] in many cultures. The shape, fabrication, placement, and manner of sourcing are all important. A common tradition is that if a horseshoe is hung on a door with the two ends pointing up then good luck will occur. However, if the two ends point downwards then bad luck will occur. Traditions do differ on this point, though. In some cultures, the horseshoe is hung ''points down'' (so the luck pours onto you); in others, it is hung ''points up'' (so the luck doesn't fall out); still in others it doesn't matter so long as the horseshoe has been used (not new), was found (not purchased), and can be touched. In all traditions, luck is ''contained'' in the shoe and can ''pour out'' through the ends. In some traditions, any good or bad luck achieved will only occur to the ''owner'' of the horseshoe, not the person who hangs it up. Therefore, if the horseshoe was stolen, borrowed or even just found then the ''owner'', not the person who found or stole the horseshoe will get any good or bad luck. Other traditions require that the horseshoe be found to be effective. One reputed origin of the tradition of lucky horseshoes is the story of [[Dunstan|Saint Dunstan]] and the Devil. Dunstan, who became the [[Archbishop of Canterbury]] in AD 959, was a blacksmith by trade. The story relates that he once nailed a horseshoe to the Devil's hoof when he was asked to reshoe the Devil's hoof. This caused the Devil great pain, and Dunstan only agreed to remove the shoe and release the Devil after the Devil promised never to enter a place where a horseshoe is hung over the door. Some believe that if guests come to a house where a horseshoe is above the door, they must leave by the same door through which they entered or they will take the luck from the horseshoe with them from the house. Another theory concerning the placing of horseshoes above doorways is to ward off [[Faeries]] (the Celtic kind); the theory being that Faeries are repelled by iron and as horseshoes were an easily available source of iron, they could be nailed above a door to prevent any unwanted, otherworldly guests. One can see how the custom, as people began to forget the stories concerning the Fair Folk, eventually morphed into a simple good luck charm. ==See also== *[[Farrier]] *[[Barefoot horse]] *[[Horse hoof]] *[[Horse care]] *[[Laminitis]] ==References== {{reflist}} {{1911}} ==External links== {{commonscat|Horseshoes}} *[http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/4/9/9/14990/14990-h/14990-h.htm#art16 Historical development of the horseshoe] 1891 [[Scientific American]] article from [[Project Gutenberg]] *[http://www.luckymojo.com/horseshoe.html Article on the cultural association of Horseshoes with good luck] *[http://www.nchorsenews.com/GlueOnShoe.htm Glue-on Horseshoes] {{Equidae}} [[Category:Equine hoof]] [[Category:Horse tack]] [[Category:Luck]] [[Category:Horseshoes in heraldry]] [[bg:Подкова]] [[cs:Podkova]] [[da:Hestesko]] [[de:Hufeisen]] [[es:Herradura]] [[eo:Hufumo]] [[fr:Fer à cheval]] [[gd:Crudha]] [[id:Sepatu kuda]] [[it:Ferro di cavallo]] [[nl:Hoefijzer]] [[ja:蹄鉄]] [[pl:Podkowa]] [[pt:Ferradura]] [[ru:Подкова]] [[simple:Horseshoe]] [[sr:Потковица]] [[fi:Hevosenkenkä]] [[sv:Hästsko]] [[zh:马蹄铁]]