Did you know the first simple horseshoes where made from woven grass and reeds, and tied on the hoof. Its believed the Egyptians used the skins of animals to protect the horses hoof much the same as moccasins are used. Genghis Khan used a unique rawhide cup which fit over the hoof and when dry was extremely tough and wear resistant. the Romans and Greeks made use of sandals, boots, and socks of leather woven with course fibre to protect the hoof.
Shoeing with iron shoes and nails was invented, in all probability, by different nations at about the same time. The first blacksmith we have any evidence of was named Tubal-cain as recorded in Genesis, Chapter 4, verse 22. however no mention of the practice of horseshoeing was made at this early date.
All of this is a far cry from the types of metals and technological advances the farriers of today work with. I can just imagine the complaints of lost shoes at the time of the first ones used.
" Excuse me Mr. Blacksmith but my horse ate his shoe, when can you come and weave another."
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Superstitions and Horseshoeing
During Medieval times, superstition reigned supreme in the horseshoeing trade as well as in other parts of life. The horseshoe was crecent-shaped and resembled a snake which was thought to be divine and keep witches away. Roman horse shoe nails were said to keep away the plague, and horses were suposed to keep nightmares away. Superstitious blacksmiths believed in tapping the anvil once every few blows "to keep the devil away" and in giving three blows at the end of the day to keep the devil chained up.
The tradition of putting a horseshoe over the door to bring good luck and keep the devil away was popular at this time. The story behind this tradition has many variations. This is one of them.
Once upon a time, a wise old blasksmith was hard at work making horseshoes. The sound of the anvil attracted the attention of the devil. He saw that the smith was making horseshoes, and he thought it would be a good idea to get his hoofs shod. So the devil made a deal with the smith and stood to be shod.
The wise blacksmith saw with whom he was dealing, and so he nailed on a red-hot shoe, driving the nails right square into the center of the devil's hoof. The devil then paid him and left, but the honest blacksmith threw the money into the forge fire, knowing it would bring him bad luck.
Meanwhile, the devilwalked some distance and began to suffer great torture from the new shoes. The more he danced and pranced and kicked and swore, the more they hurt him. Finally, after he had gone through all that agony, he tore them off and threw them away.
From that tome to this, whenever the devil sees a horseshoe he turns and runs-anxious to keep away from those torturous devices.
The tradition of putting a horseshoe over the door to bring good luck and keep the devil away was popular at this time. The story behind this tradition has many variations. This is one of them.
Once upon a time, a wise old blasksmith was hard at work making horseshoes. The sound of the anvil attracted the attention of the devil. He saw that the smith was making horseshoes, and he thought it would be a good idea to get his hoofs shod. So the devil made a deal with the smith and stood to be shod.
The wise blacksmith saw with whom he was dealing, and so he nailed on a red-hot shoe, driving the nails right square into the center of the devil's hoof. The devil then paid him and left, but the honest blacksmith threw the money into the forge fire, knowing it would bring him bad luck.
Meanwhile, the devilwalked some distance and began to suffer great torture from the new shoes. The more he danced and pranced and kicked and swore, the more they hurt him. Finally, after he had gone through all that agony, he tore them off and threw them away.
From that tome to this, whenever the devil sees a horseshoe he turns and runs-anxious to keep away from those torturous devices.
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