How do you date old horse shoes?

[OutBack Duo]

I found 2 horse shoes today. I know the first one is probably modern. Is the 2nd one old? How do you date horse shoes?

 

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[mastereagle22]

Well first you offer to buy them some oil?


Just kidding I don't have a clue but I have only found one before and I think they are really cool. Good luck.

 

[lonesomebob]

find an old horse and ask,find an old farrier.

 

[danger67]

im by no means an expert but they look machined to me

 

[Tricia]

This doesn't help but looks like one is riding horse and one is farm(work) horse.

But yeah, find a farrier and they might be able to lead you to a history of horseshoes.

 

[aa battery]

I thought it was a serious question wish i could help.......aa

 

[diggemall]

How do you date old horse shoes?

I don't. I've dated, even married, an old horses a$$ or two, but never a shoe !

Diggem'

 

[trikikiwi]

I would, in my ignorance, have thought that the first pic was the older shoe -
and the smaller of the two.
That larger 'hoof print' looks more modern
Mike

 

[chipveres]

The oldest style are (and appear to be) handmade. Just flat metal plates with handmade holes where the nails go. Next are the factory-made 3-dimensional forgings with a groove around the bottom to protect the nail heads. Real modern ones are sometimes made of aluminum or plastic. Sorry, you still need an old-time farrier to put actual dates to these.

Chip V.

 

[MD Dog]

How do you date old horse shoes?

I don't. I've dated, even married, an old horses a$$ or two, but never a shoe !

Diggem'

Damnit Diggem, you beat me to it !

 

[stefen]

Shoes styles and uses of old are similar, if not identical, of those being made today. Since shoes are changed typically every 6 to 12 weeks, and more frequently for race horses, the styles haven't changed much over centuries.

Depending upon the today's ferriers, some shoes are factory made while others are custom wrought...and I have seen custom shoes match those of a factory, many times...down to the punched slots and nail holes.

Horseshoes nails have not changed either...

The difference is the quality of the steel...if you want to have the steel analysed, the approximate date could be fixed.