Democratic Sentinel, Volume 7, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 September 1883 — Horseshoes. [ARTICLE]

Horseshoes.

Horses are not shod in Egypt, Assyria, or Palestine. The latter country was supplied with horses by the Egyptians. Solomon paid 150 shekels of silver, equal in valve to $75, for each horse. This was a high price, the difference in relative value of a shekel and a given weight of wheat being considered. Isaiah speaks of horses “whose hoofs shall be counted like flint”—a valuable quality where they were shoeless. The Syrians and Hittites were supplied with Egyptian horses by Solomon, who thus turned an honest penny this means. Aristotle and Pliny mention the covering of horses’ feet in stony places to •protect the hoofs from breakage and wear but it is probable that such a covering was a bandage or boot, and used principally on long journeys. Suetonius refers to the dismounting of Vespasian’s muleteer to shoe his mules. Wrappings of plaited fiber, such as hemp or broom were used, as was also leather. In Japan the horses have clogs of twisted straw, of which a large supply is carried on a long journey; when worn another is immediately applied. The American custom of shoeing would, no doubt, appear a barbarous custom in their minds. Capt. Cook refers to the fact that the Siberians and Kamtchatkans use traveling socks for their dogs. Camels in old times were similarly provided. These boots were drawn over the feet, and it does not appear that iron or metallic plates were nailed to the hoofs. Such boots were shod with metal for the rich. The mules of Nero were shod with silver; those of his wife, Pappoea, with gold. For less stately purposes mules were shod with iron. Homer mentions brazen-footed steeds, probably a merely metaphorical expression, implying strength. Mithgridates and Alexander experienced great difficulty with their cavalry, owing to the soreness of the unprotected feet of the horses on long marches. The first certain mention of shoes being nailed to horses’ hoofs is in the works of Emperor Leo, ninth century. The practice of shoeing horses is said to have been introduced into England by William I. In two respects the shoeing of horses in Holland differs from ours. First, to prevent slipping, the forehoofs are pared away to the toe and the shoe so fitted that the toes do not touch the ground when the foot stands flat, the weight resting on the middle and heel of the shoe. Second, the shoe is nailed on perfectly flat and close to the foot, which is flattened to receive it; the iron is thereby deprived of all spring, and the hold of the nail is undisturbed. The frog comes in contact with the ground.— Exchange.