Rensselaer Union, Volume 3, Number 27, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 March 1871 — Farm Horses Without Shoes. [ARTICLE]

Farm Horses Without Shoes.

The late Mr. Beebe, of Dubuque, whose untimely death was a great loss to the State, published an article in the Homestead on this subject, several years ago, that has been worth a good many times the subscription cost of the paper tome. Mr. B. took the ground that horses engaged in plowing and ordinary farm work, and hauling on unpaved streets or roads, did not need any shoes at all, and were better off without them. I had always been bothered with having horses’ shoes changed at least six times a year, and after reading his article, [ took liis advice, and left them off' altogether. Except for heavy hauling in winter time, this is much the best plan, both for the horse and the farmer’s purse. In wet weather an unshod horse slips somewhat, but he is much more sure footted in winter than with smooth shoes. Twice a year my horses’ feet are trimmed off square and even where they wear unequally, and this is all that is clone to them. They,arc now in better condition than they were with shoes. I have saved at least SSO in cash hy pursuing this course, and I am sure the horses are better ofl. After a thorough trial of this plau, it is recommended to everybody owning a horse as exactly the thing. —lowa Homestead.