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?

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

DR.ÖTEK Metal Detector, Waterproof Gold Detector, Pinpoint & Terrain Modes, Professional Metal Detector - Grab it through Amazon!

[creskol]

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

I know years ago when they logged the mountains and brought the wagons down very steep terrain, they would do all sorts of things from rough-locking the rear wheels with chains ... to jacking up the rear of the wagons and letting it down on larger saplings so the rear wheels didn't touch the ground leaving the saplings to serve as skids .. to using actual wheel skids .. to using smith-made front shoes on the horses without toe caulks that tended to cause the horses to trip under extreme loads going down steep terrain. The toe springs served as a pseudo-skid and anti-slip device.

Edited .. one more thought: Another possibly is a more modern version of a therapeutic shoe called a hipposandal.

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

DR.ÖTEK Metal Detector, Waterproof Gold Detector, Pinpoint & Terrain Modes, Professional Metal Detector - Grab it through Amazon!

[Muddyhandz]

Maybe it was made that way to serve as an oar lock? Is there water nearby?
Rifle stand?

 

[Oroblanco]

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

First thought was a draft horse shoe with a toe protector 'tongue' but never saw one quite that long. I have to agree it is likely a shoe that was made into a hanger. Neat find either way.

 

[tomclark]

keep weight off one leg when healing....?

 

[Sparlo]

This is a toe extension horseshoe intended to treat potential "club foot" in foals by increasing tension on the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) by creating leverage and delaying breakover in afflicted foals. The holes for nails should be very small, as should the shoe itself, as treatment is required before adulthood or the horse would be considered lame and it's destiny one for the glue factory. These orthopaedic shoes do have a following amongst farriers.

 

[Retired Sarge]

This is a toe extension horseshoe intended to treat potential "club foot" in foals by increasing tension on the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) by creating leverage and delaying breakover in afflicted foals. The holes for nails should be very small, as should the shoe itself, as treatment is required before adulthood or the horse would be considered lame and it's destiny one for the glue factory. These orthopaedic shoes do have a following amongst farriers.

Cool information, I tell you what hanging out on TNet in the "What Is It?" section is like being in school again, you're always learning something.