What is the purpose of this horseshoe?

[formariz 11,968]

So here in the home land I came across a collection of horse shoes in which there were several variations of this type . I have never seen one like it and was astonished at its function. Can anybody guess what it was for?

 

[SylvanLakeWH 25,059]

My guess:

Traction for snow / ice? 

Noise reduction?

[formariz 11,968]

3 minutes ago, SylvanLakeWH said:

My guess:

Traction for snow / ice? 

Noise reduction?

No snow or ice here. Noise not a concern.

[formariz 11,968]

They are not used anymore. They were used in WWI era.

[lynnmor 7,222]

Traction on paved roads?  Today the Amish use carbide studs and really tear up the roads.

[formariz 11,968]

4 minutes ago, lynnmor said:

Traction on paved roads?  Today the Amish use carbide studs and really tear up the roads.

Not traction. Back then there weren’t many paved roads. Paved with asphalt that is. They were paved with cobble stones. 

[Pullstart 62,069]

Is that rope?  Anything to do with wine country?

[Mickwhitt 4,403]

Dumb idea I know, but for use on mine horses to stop sparks?  

The UK used pit ponies to haul coal underground in environments where sparks would lead to gas explosions. 

I've never seen a shoe like it but if it's not for muffling or improving traction it's my best guess. 

Must be an expensive item to make and fit when you think hosses are shod with the shoe hot.

 

Edited August 27, 2023 by Mickwhitt
Update

[Stormin 9,980]

My guess is to muffle any noise when moving up to the front at night.

 

Btw Mick. I don't think pit ponies were shod. Could be wrong though.

Edited August 27, 2023 by Stormin

[rjg854 11,224]

That would be my guess also, to muffle noise.

[lynnmor 7,222]

 

 

What's This? When Horses Worked in the Cities

October 28, 2021

This rope shoe dates back to the 19th century. It was made for horses working on the city streets. The concave shoe was nailed onto the foot. Then, the rope would be cut to length and inserted into the shoe with tar or pitch holding it in place. The rope could be replaced as necessary, but would compress after use. As these shoes were not very stable, they were often used as bar shoes to improve stability. The felt was applied over the bar on the palmar half of the hoof.

[Horse Newbie 7,002]

It says used on city streets… but for what purpose, noise reduction or traction ?

[Mickwhitt 4,403]

Caz has already said noise and traction are not issues for this type of shoe.

As regards pit ponies Norm, apparently we didn't use them over here till 1842 when they stopped us using kids and women to drag coal around. Things have gone downhill ever since lol.

But yes they were shod, if it was a "Gassy" pit then bronze shoes or even leather boots with copper nails were fitted. 

 

[Mickwhitt 4,403]

Bronze shoe from a Welsh pit pony.

 

Leather hoof boot with copper sole nails.

 

[ebinmaine 66,373]

Trina says... to protect the street surface? From the metal shoes?

 

Or, considering they were used in the WWI era, perhaps conservation of the rest of the shoe?

Metal being scarce?

 

[Mickwhitt 4,403]

Must be related to explosives, based on the European connection and WW1 dateline.

If not mining then horses moving explosive ordnance round a factory setting, not on the front. 

[Gasaholic 213]

Used on city streets , which could be uneven and unstable cobblestone & brick, I would say it was more for the horse's comfort and safety - I would imagine an iron shoe on cobblestone street with bits of loose gravel would be like trying to walk on a floor of loose marbles would be easy for a horse to slip and break a leg or something. Adding that compressible padding would allow for greater comfort for the horse (Imagine riding in a car with iron tires Vs. a car with rubber tires!) 

[formariz 11,968]

@Mickwhitt is correct. They were used on army horses that moved gunpowder to make ordinance. They prevented the inevitable sparks on the cobble stone roads. 

[Mickwhitt 4,403]

OK another poser regarding the road/vehicle interface.

Why are car tyres black?

 

 

[Stormin 9,980]

Because they have carbon black in them. Reduces heat in the rubber. Bloody awful stuff to wash of your hand etc. 

[Mickwhitt 4,403]

Correct Norm. Basically the tyre manufacturers wanted to find a bulking agent to make the expensive natural rubber go further. They looked for something cheap and plentiful and came up with soot, or carbon black. 

We just got used to tyres being black and anything different would look odd.

OK you guys over there live your white walls, but they are just painted.

Michelin came up with a method of colouring tyres properly but it never took off because we are used to black.

One engineer came up with a tyre that had a green stripe down to 1.9mm, a yellow stripe down to 1.6mm and a red stripe under 1.6mm

Brilliant idea, until someone pointed out the police would have a field day prosecuting duff tyres. Back to the drawing board. 

[Horse Newbie 7,002]

3 hours ago, Mickwhitt said:

Why are car tyres black

So you can put tire shine on them and look cool…