It wasn’t long after horses were first domesticated that humans figured out they needed to protect their horses’ hooves in order to best care for their valuable helper and keep them healthy. The first horseshoes were constructed from woven plants and then rawhide. Metal horseshoes came into use around the sixth and seventh centuries, and they changed everything. Turns out, horses wearing protective hoof gear could be used years longer than those without any protection and run faster. Around 1000 AD was when bronze horseshoe with nail holes became common in Europe.
As time passed, forging horseshoes from metal became a highly valued skill. Farriers, as the early tradesmen were called, were an important part of every community. Horseshoes themselves were also valuable and were even an accepted to pay one’s taxes. By the 14th century, horseshoes were forged in mass quantities, enabling a person to buy them readymade, through a certain amount of fitting is always required.
Farriers could not only craft the horseshoe itself, they are experts in preparing the hoof, fixing and preventing problems, and, in some cases, correcting lameness. In some countries, such as the U.K, farriers are legally restricted to those with proper experience and qualifications. Licensing isn’t required in the U.S., but there are professional organizations offering certification programs.
Another big change in the history of horseshoes came during the Industrial Revolution. During the 1800s, machines were invested capable of producing up to sixty horseshoes an hour. That’s a far cry from the backbreaking job of hammering out horseshoes at a blazing hot forge.
Nowadays, most horseshoes are manufactured out of steel or aluminum, depending on what the horse is being used for. Performance horses especially need lightweight shoes that are also durable. But not all horses need shoes or need to wear them year-round. It’s believed that allowing a horse to go “barefoot” for a period of time is a healthy option.
Cathy McDavid has been penning Westerns for Harlequin since 2005. With over 55 titles in print and 1.6 million-plus books sold, Cathy is also a member of the prestigious Romance Writers of America’s Honor Roll. This “almost” Arizona native and mother of grown twins is married to her own real-life sweetheart. After leaving the corporate world seven years ago, she now spends her days penning stories about good looking cowboys riding the range, busting broncs, and sweeping gals off their feet — oops, no. Make that winning the hearts of feisty, independent women who give the cowboys a run for their money. It a tough job, but she’s willing to make the sacrifice.
I was surprised to learn how often horses needed to be seen regarding their hoofs and shoes.
Yes, that’s true. And it can run into a lot of money sometimes 🙂
LOL yes it completely depends on the horse and it’s hoof health – Tank hasn’t seen a farrier since 2010 and Sam sees one every 4 weeks!
Wow, what a difference. Some of the mules we owned in years gone by didn’t need shoes (only regular trimming) because their hooves were so hard. But others did. Guess it depended on how much they got from their horse mother or their donkey dad.
Thanks for the info. I learned a few things. I have known farriers and it is a tough job.
I think it must be so hard on their backs. Ouch!
Thank you for this background history on horseshoes. I had never even thought about this before.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks for the history of horseshoes. They also bring good luck…It’s a tradition in our family for the oldest female to give the bride a lucky horseshoe to carry in her bouquet. Not a real one of course, that would be too heavy, but I was the oldest female in the family when my oldest niece got married and I had to go all the way across the bond to find one, I had it engraved with her wedding date on it. There are four more girls in the family to get married, I can’t wait until I can give them theirs.
What an absolutely lovely tradition. I think that’s wonderful <3
What a great tradition!
Thank you for sharing this valuable information. I grew up on a farm and we had farrier’s come to the farm all the time. Mom gave Chico a chance. He was new in town. He didnt work out. He was foul mouthed and kept hitting big time on mom even with her five kids standing there. The one that was recommended by a friend was with us until we moved to Illinois. quilting dash lady at comcast dot net
Once you find a good farrier, they are worth their weight in gold. They can truly help with so many of a hore’s health problems.
Interesting! I knew some of it from watching westerns, including Gunsmoke re-runs with Burt Reynolds. I never saw those as a child, but as an adult I’ve seen the re-runs with him in them! lol!!
I remember watching Gunsmoke as a child. What a great memory. Thanks for reminding me 🙂
Very interesting. I have known of farriers and watch lots of westerns where they are fiddling with horse shoes. Thanks for your added information. Have a blessed day.
Same to you, Judy. Thanks for stopping by.
I knew some of that.
It’s so interesting. People without horses don’t think about it till they show a neglected/abused horse on the news and the condition of the hooves is so unhealthy.
I’ve seen some terrible cases that break my heart 🙁
This was so interesting. Thank you for sharing with us.
Thank you for stopping by, Barbara 🙂
I grew up in rural Northern California and there was a blacksmith that always had his forge ready and a lot of his work involved shoeing horses. He let kids sit and watch and everything he worked on was interesting to see. Idt he ever said one word to us but we understood enough to sit off to the side and stay quiet. We always looked in on the walk home from school and if there was a horse, we were gonna stop and watch…a different time for sure.
What a great memory, Rachel. Thanks for sharing. You reminded me of a painting my mom hung in our house when I was growing up or a farrier. I’m going to need to research that 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing this info, it is very interesting. I didn’t know that horses could go without horseshoes.
I know, who knew horseshoes could be interesting!
Our daughter was training to be a farrier. they study the structure of the hoof and leg in addition to the types of shoes to be used. She was doing well until an old hip injury she received when thrown from a horse made it too difficult to bend over and/or support the weight of the horse. You have to support the weight of the leg being worked on and sometimes the horse will lean down on your back.
Our son took over her equipment and taught himself blacksmithing.
Thanks for sharing your story, Patricia. I’ve always thought shoeing horses was really hard work!
It is always fun to hear the history of things. Thank you!
And thank you for stopping by!
Truly interesting. Thanks. These are things we need to know.
It really was interesting to read about 🙂 Thanks, Charlene.