Horseshoe

A horseshoe is a U- shaped bent and usually provided with nail holes iron, which is applied ungulates to protect their hooves by nailing, colloquially shod by a farrier. A similar protection of the hoof is also achieved by so-called Boots. The central grooves in the horseshoe ( fold ), where the holes are introduced for the nails serve as Basisgleitschutz.

Materials

The classic horseshoe material is "iron" (steel), but in addition can also find materials or material alloys of aluminum and copper its application. Today often different plastics are used. These are then partly glued.

• Steel: As nowadays most commonly used material for the horseshoe is considered resistant steel.
• Aluminum: Because aluminum has a much lower density than steel, it is often used to save weight in racehorses. Since aluminum is a fairly soft metal, the light metal horseshoe wear more quickly than those made of steel.
• Plastic: Plastic characterized not only by the lower density is also characterized by a certain elasticity. The aim is attenuated as Auffußen of the equine hoof of the shock and the joints are spared.
• Aluminum with steel: To prevent premature wear of the shoe and thus to increase its life span, " Aluminum Iron " with so-called steel handles are often used in the Zehenfalz.
• Plastic with steel: Since the plastic on the other hand very quickly wears out by his one hand desired softness, parts of the shoe or the entire core reinforced with steel.

Molding

Due to the different function of the front and hind limbs of the horse 's hooves in the forequarters have a circular shape and the hooves of the hind a pointed round shape. The horseshoes are thus formed varies accordingly.

For special demands on the horse or the hoof in detail special horseshoes are prepared to assist or prevent certain features or functions:

• Horseshoes with toe (toe lift) ( standard): The front tip of the toe of the hoof is a little weggeraspelt so that the flat toe cap of the shoe can rest. In racing, the hoof is placed in this form to speed up the rolling. There are several variants of the patented toe cap.
• Horseshoe with side caps (page lifts): Often used when the hoof is brittle or parts of the hoof are broken.
• Army horseshoe: Compared with the normal horseshoe horseshoe has an army a higher number of nail holes in a horseshoe leg. With no more than a normal horseshoe nails are fitting for use. It's only a matter of creating a possibly under field conditions poorly directed horseshoe enough opportunities to nail in the white line.
• Horseshoe with open toe ( " perverse iron " ): A conventional, matching horseshoe is nailed upside down ( open side under the toe). This allows horses with long toes ( " acute-angled hoof " ), these wear out more frequently at the same time protecting the costumes.
• Closed horseshoe (iron rod ): Are often used to prevent the hoof is very ceded to the ball side to. Is also used as for the hoof correction or reduction of diseases, for example, Spat.
• Crescent Iron: The horseshoe is missing the rear legs ( rods ) and it is thus nailed just under the toe. Horses with club foot, this allows increased wear out the heel and toe to protect the horn.
• Three - quarters of horseshoe:
• Wedge Iron: The legs are higher from the toe to the rear end. These irons are often used to position correction or in diseases such as Spat.
• Oval iron ( iron eggs, Ringeisen, Heart Bar Shoe ): Provides greater bearing surface.
• Steg Iron: The Horseshoe is closed at the back and this web extends to the inside of the iron under the beam. This web thus receives a portion of the active forces and the costumes are relieved.
• Navicular Iron: The leg ends are thickened in this horseshoe, thus a reduction of the pressure of Hufbeinbeugesehen is effected on the navicular bone.
• Iron heart: As the support of the beam imaginary iron.
• Iron: In place of a ridge, a bracket is attached.
• Slippers Iron: The legs are inside this horseshoe increased, implying a back sloping outward angle. This horseshoe shape is used in traditional costume coercion to prevent further contraction and more likely to support an expansion.
• Fungal iron: Mushroom -shaped iron, in which the " stem of mushroom " rests on the beam, and thus relieves the bars.
• Wall transitions Travel: The horseshoe is broadened on one side or even halved in the vertical. This fitting is used on horses that strain one side of the hoof very strong and thus wear proliferated. The worn surface is to be spared more by the special iron.
• Wide leg horseshoe (after averaging joke):
• Wide leg horseshoe ( according to Bauer):
• Slidingeisen: The legs of a horseshoe shape are open and extended to the rear and guarantee the horse when sliding ( slide ) the conservation of costumes and cause prolongation of the glide path. They are also processed without rebate and very smooth to promote gliding.
• NBS horseshoe ( Natural Balance Shoes ): The toe of the horseshoe curve is a little flattened and reinforced. This breakover is returned. In show jumping this fitting is often used.
• Iron claws: cattle and buffalo used as working animals normally get iron claws.

Fungal iron

Horseshoe closed

Aluminum horseshoe closed

Iron claws for oxen

Sizes

From 7 × 0 to 16 draft horses for the size range of information horseshoes enough, it must be considered that the size specifications depending on horseshoe manufacturers in the Länge-/Breite-Abmessungen and the horseshoe shape vary.

Horseshoe additives

• Eisnägel: Nails, in which a Widiastift is integrated in the head. This grab the nail heads on ice and use generally less from, but they can wear through the surrounding steel sharp and dangerous edges / spikes can occur.

• Stollen: weld-on or screw-in studs are there to give the horse in poor soil conditions more support.

• Widia pins: Even for these small metal pins holes must be drilled in the Horseshoe. But due to their conical shape, they do not need a thread, but beaten easily in the iron inside.

• Soles and Insoles: leather, plastic, rubber, felt or aluminum is introduced between the hoof and shoe to guarantee, for example, a protection of the hoof or the jet or to support healing. You can also use an upholstery made ​​of silicone, Heba form, cotton or hemp.

• Snow Grip ( Hufgrip, Snow Grip ): Are rubber inserts that prevent build up in the winter snow bales in the hooves. They are placed in the nailing of the horseshoe, between the hoof and shoe.

History

Even in ancient times, people were looking for a protection for the hooves that are badly worn from hard, stony ground. Especially with the military use of the horse was the hoof becomes a necessity, because during the war the horses were stressed beyond their natural boundaries.

So-called " Hippo sandals " are ancient forerunner of today's hoof boots for horses. In ancient Egypt sandals braided raffia or leather shoes were used, which were bound with cords or straps to the horse's leg. However, such structures were not very durable. The Romans used already with leather straps bound hoof made ​​of bronze or iron, but even among them the belt caused friction burns. With high-speed ride the bound iron flew away quickly or the horses came to falter. Nailed horseshoes, as they are used today seem to have been invented by the Celts; since the late Celtic period ( 2nd or 1st century BC) in use, they have been adopted and modified by the Romans. In addition, they used generally, but also for special purposes (eg in muddy terrain ) mentioned Hippo sandals. Numerous the findings be nailed horseshoes are just since the early Middle Ages (c. 600).

As further evidence for the dating of horseshoes nailed in the antiquity of the hoard of Neupotz is often given. The current interpretation of these finds regarded it as a lost in the year 260 Gone loot a returning Alemannic looters train. Since in the salvage and pre-Roman and post-antique finds came to light, the horseshoe found are not unique to date as a Roman. Many historians date the invention of the horseshoe nailed to the early Middle Ages.

More

Symbol of good luck and superstition

The " miracle metal " of the horseshoe is said to have magical powers in popular belief. It makes invulnerable, protect against evil spirits and could ward off natural disasters. In fact, iron was very expensive at that time.

No agreement is like a horseshoe should be hung. With the opening up it could represent the horns of the devil. It can also stand for a well or a gateway through which happiness can occur. That is why one should not do it with the opening downwards hang (otherwise the luck falls out ). According to another interpretation is just that necessary. The horseshoe must be hung with the opening downwards so that the happiness can flow out to a. Thus one finds on some doors two irons, one with the opening downwards, one with the opening upwards. A third possibility is to hang with the opening to the right. In this case, it symbolizes a "C" for Christ.

Horseshoes, etc., were attached with the opening down to the doors, entrances, fireplace, on ship masts, because it was believed that neither the devil nor evil spirits could pass under an arch of iron. In rural areas, it was also considered lucky if you had survived a storm unscathed. Thus, the horseshoe was " protectively over the house " hung with the opening facing downwards to prevent a lightning strike. During the peak of the witch craze was believed that "witches" therefore floated on a broomstick through the air, because they were afraid of horses. Each memory of a horse would therefore "witches" as effective as garlic deter a vampire. To prevent the resurrection is therefore applied to the coffin lid of executed witches at a horseshoe.

A horseshoe was found latter day good luck, especially if it had at least three nails. Conditions, however, were that they had found it and not wanted and it hung with the opening to the top. The shoe got its importance as a symbol of good luck by the former Transport of love letters with stagecoaches and mounted couriers.

Horseshoe game

This throwing game is usually played outdoors. It applies to throw the horseshoe so that it wraps around a freestanding pole or it is closer than the opponent's throw. Rules: snaring of the rod is worth 3 points, that the rod closest iron 2 points, the second nearest 1 point.