Horse shoes? Tied on not nailed?

[Nerva]

Interesting. Hoof attachments of various forms (Hippo Sandals) etc have been found far more often that one would expect if they were simply being used for temporary protection of the hoof. The method of attachment also varies from being simply tied on to metal clamps.

I have experimented with reproduction shoes of two basic designs, both based around the hippo sandal and found a number interesting things. The biggest problem I had was getting the damn things to stay on the hoof.

They can be secured reasonably well with leather tieing or a thin strip of mild steel bent and used as a spring clasp. They stay on fairly well while the horse walks up and down the yard except where the ground is broken and the horses hoof becomes unstable because of the stones underneath.

But try a canter or a gallop and these things become lethal flying missiles! Now I've even tried some basic nailing to try and keep these things on but to no avail.

I've also found the same thing when used on hacks on turf. After a couple of hundred metres or so the things get stuck and dragged off. I do intend to re-visit my home 'experiments' so if anyone has any better ideas...

Anyway, these shoes seem to have been in fairly common use, but given my experience with the I've yet to discover their true use.