RUBBER SHOES FOR HORSES

New Zealand Mail, 29 January 1902, Page 58

RUBBER SHOES FOR HORSES

Rubber shoes for horses are said to bo fast displacing the old style shoes, and it is asserted that since their introduction the condition of the feet, of thousands of Chicago horses has improved fully 30 per cent., and that. the danger from cracked hoofs, sprained tendons, injured shoulders, and rheumatism has decreased fully 50 per cent. Besides, it is claimed that the horses are able to do considerably more work, for the reason that they do not slip and slide about, and when nightfall comes and their day’s work is over they do not exhibit anywhere near the fatigue that was manifested when they were shod with iron shoes. Rubber horseshoes are not an entirely new thing in tho market, but they have been in the experimental stage until a short time ago. Many owners who are now using them were loth to adopt them, for the reason that the claim was made that they would do more injury than good on account of causing extra heat in the hoofs. It is claimed now, however, that actual use has demonstrated that such is not the case. The chief advantage of the rubber shoe over the iron shoe is said to lie in the fact that once a horse puts his foot down it remains in position; that he is equally as sure-footed on granite blocks as on virgin soil. There is no twisting to the right or to the left, and no sliding about, as is often the case when iron shoes are used. Because of this the horse is able to pull a heavier load. Some of the largest firms are now using rubber shoes on their heavy horses, and it is said that others are preparing to follow their lead. Many of the horses of the fire department are also shod with them, and here they are found to be especially serviceable, as they relieve much of the jarring on the horses when they are standing around fires and stamping their feet. Their use. however, is not confined to heavy horses. Many owners of fine road horses have adopted them, and they are finding favour among liverymen. The general adoption of the rubber shoe, it is claimed, would do away to a considerable degree with the noise of the city that accompanies the use of heavy teams. Rubber shoes are noiseless. and even when they become loose there is not the ratf from them that is present when a loose iron shoe strikes the granite paving. There being no heel or toe calks on the rubber shoes, they cannot become fastened in the slots of the cable railway or in the street car tracks. The shoos are made with a centre of iron, shaped the same as the old iron shoes. The rubber is attached by means of openings through the iron, and is inseparable from the shoe. Tho only way it can bo removed is by wearing off or putting the shoe into a fire and burning it off. For heavy horses there is fully half an inch of solid rubber. The nails are driven through the holes in the iron frame, and this being near the hoof, and half an inch from the surface of the shoe, it is impossible for the nails to come in contact with the roadway. Rubber shoes cost one dollar each, or double that of iron shoes, and neither size nor weight makes any difference. The claim is made, however. that the shoes " ill outwear two sets of iron shoes. Tue rubber shoes are manufactured in six sizes, and when extra shape is necessary it is done without the use of fire. .Uiain Clancy, superintendent for A. S. Beamish, the Pacific Avenue horseshoer, said recently : 'Rubber shoes for horses are no longer an experiment. They have come to stay. It is in the blacksmith shop that a man has the best opportunity to learn tho condition of horses’ feet, and I can say, without exaggeration, from my experience with horses that have been shod for some time with the new stylo of shoes, that their feet have improved fully 30 per cent. Add to this the fact that tho usefulness of the horse—his ability to work—is greatly increased—and you have the strongest argument that can bG presented in favour of rubber shoes. The horse cannot break his leg by having a calk become fastened in anything, because there are no calks. He cannot slip on the granite blocks, because the rubber takes hold on all sides. —"Chicago Tribune.”