Horses have played an important role in human history, having been used in wars, for travel and to promote industry. Early civilizations demonstrated a need to preserve their horses' hooves, and much of what is known about the history of horseshoes has been learned through archaeological findings and literary research.
Ancient Times
Ancient Asians used boots made of animal hide and woven plants to protect the hooves of their horses. These boots did not provide the continuous protection or stability offered by today's metal shoes, but they also were worn only when needed for rocky terrain or added comfort for a lame horse. During the first century A.D., the people of Ancient Rome shod their horses with soft coverings that resembled sandals. With hard-leather soles and straps that crossed the horse's ankle, these shoes protected the horse's hooves against excessive wear while walking on the hard cobblestone streets or carrying soldiers long distances.
Europe
The damp ground of Northern England created challenges for those trying to rely on horses, as it turned hooves soft and brittle and made the footing slippery. The exact date metal shoes were first nailed to hooves is unknown, but by the sixth and seventh centuries this practice was well-established in Europe. In the 12th century, around the time of the Crusades, horseshoes and coins were both made of iron. Because the demand for iron was so great at the time in England, horseshoes could be used to pay taxes.
Changes
Norman invader William the Conqueror is said to have brought his farriers, or horseshoers, with him to Great Britain during the 13th and 14th centuries. At this time, horseshoes were made longer and wider to fit the larger, draft-sized horses of the Normans. It also was at this time that large-scale production of horseshoes became an industry. Horseshoes were not used primarily for cavalry and royal horses anymore, but by farmers and tradesmen. Pre-made horseshoes could now be purchased for quick application.
Farriers
In 1359, horseshoers became organized in London as a fellowship. By the 16th century, they became widely known as farriers, which, according to equisearch, became the common term to denote a professional horseshoer after it was published in the trade book "No Foot, No Horse" in 1751. Horseshoeing practices improved as farriers learned new techniques like "hot-shoeing," in which the metal shoes were heated before application.
Modern Shoeing
Horseshoeing still is a common practice even as the horse becomes less of a necessity and more of a hobby. In the United States, farrier schools have been established to formally teach the trade of horseshoeing. Improved techniques and the use of different materials have generated new ways of shoeing a horse. For example, race horses and other competitive horses are shod with lightweight aluminum shoes for increased performance, while recreational trail horses might need rubber pads to protect sensitive soles.
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