This has got to be the most bizarre . . .

[parsonwalker]

This has got to be the most bizarre horse shoe I've ever seen. And I've found two like this on different farms/CW battlefields. What purpose could this possibly serve?

 

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[Retired Sarge]

Horse shoe made into a boot puller? Hook the hook end over a bar and put the heel in the U section.

There is also leash, hat, key holders/hook/rack made similar, they are usually smaller than an actual shoe.

 

[Madmox]

This has got to be the most bizarre horse shoe I've ever seen. And I've found two like this on different farms/CW battlefields. What purpose could this possibly serve?

View attachment 1864163

So the horses could climb ladders. Those hooks grab the rungs.

 

[ticndig]

I can't think of any way to use that on a horse , maybe its a homemade coat hook.

 

[islamoradamark]

if im looking at this right maybe its high heels for the horse

 

[Madmox]

On a more serious note. I wonder if those could be mantle hangers. We used something marginally similar to hang Christmas stockings. Was the other one you found exactly the same?

 

[creskol]

What is the size of it? I am not seeing any nail holes in it?

 

[Mudflap]

Trailer hitch for horse..... Reese "Plow more 5000".... grin

 

[ARC]

Dental tooth mold maker.

:P

Instead of "bite the bullet"... it was "bite the horseshoe".... while I go get this saw with the big teeth for your leg.

 

[RustyGold]

Jack for a horse’s leg..

 

[invent4hir]

This has got to be the most bizarre horse shoe I've ever seen. And I've found two like this on different farms/CW battlefields. What purpose could this possibly serve?

View attachment 1864163

Wonder if it is a type of strike-a-light. Depending on how big it is the top part could be a handle(?).

 

[Erik in NJ]

Put's a bounce in the horse's step.

 

[PetesPockets55]

I like the mantle hanger and coat hook suggestions, especially since there are no holes in it like Kreskol said.

 

[DCMatt]

What is the size of it? I am not seeing any nail holes in it?

creskol makes a great point. No nail holes. Not a horse shoe.

Maybe a broken andiron.

Without additional pictures or a size reference, it's hard to say...

 

[parsonwalker]

creskol makes a great point. No nail holes. Not a horse shoe.

Maybe a broken andiron.

Without additional pictures or a size reference, it's hard to say...

DCMatt - I should indeed have put something for size reference. It's def horseshoe size (see the second one I found on a different farm somewhat similar with my hand for size) and the second is shaped more like a mule shoe. You can't see the nail holes because I didn't clean them out and about half have the stubs of nails still sticking out of the holes (though very short). I've had horses all my life and I keep three horses for a farrier right now. He is stumped by these two shoes but agrees that they are or were at one time attached to a hoof. See the different shoe I found Tuesday below. (and I stress, found on a different farm and not an exact match.

 

[parsonwalker]

Put's a bounce in the horse's step.

If the bottom ever falls out of the relic hunting market, you guys could all go into stand-up comedy!

 

[creskol]

Are you near the mountains by any chance?

 

[parsonwalker]

Are you near the mountains by any chance?

Good question but no. Central Virginia farmland, 100 miles from mountains. What was your thought?

 

[invent4hir]

A couple years I found a small horse show w/o holes pictured on the right side of the picture before and after electrolysis. At the time I Just figured it was a good luck charm. Then last year I saw a presentation about the archaeological work being done at Fort Recovery saw the strike-a-light shown on the left. Sent the pictures of my "small horse shoe" and they IDed it as a strike-a-light. With the exception of the "handle" it does resemble your find.

EDIT: Just read your post from 10:06 this A.M. about the size of your find. While the my post above is informative, it is irrelevant in IDing your find.

 

[PetesPockets55]

Really don't know squat about horses, but could it have been useful in keeping a high stepping horse from stepping out of or over a buggy harness? I would think if a horse was able to do that they could really injure themselves.

Or maybe even to restrict a horse from kicking by attaching the extra "handle" to a saddle or harness?