Re: Horseshoes?

[CMKSAGEHIL@aol.com]

In a message dated 98-08-15 15:55:09 EDT, kjz2@juno.com writes:

<< Heard this from a farrier recently - horses USED to be shod with full
 shoes (you know, a full circle) until sometime in history when there was
 a shortage of iron, so . . . the open end style - less iron - emerged.  
 Hmmmmmm..... I asked a couple of other farriers - they never heard that
 one.  Any comments out there????  Do tell!
  >>

Yes, horseshoes used to be full rounds--now full rounds are only used for
therapeutic purposes.  I am not sure that shortage of iron was the main reason
for the change, though--also improved techniques for handling metal and
greater knowledge of how the hoof works likely contributed.

Heidi Smith, DVM--Sagehill Arabians (Oregon)