12th century horshoe
Name/Title
12th century horshoeEntry/Object ID
2025.1.217Description
Metal horseshoe with characteristic wavy edge and rectangular nail holes.Context
Horses were not universally shod until roads started to be metalled. The earliest horseshoe found in the UK was at the Roman town of Camulodunum (Colchester), although it is not complete. This example is most likely to be from the post Norman period, with its wavy outline, three holes on each branch, curved calkins (the bent over heel of the shoe) and its weight and size. The rectangular/square nail holes are also characteristic of the period when the nails used had 'T' shaped heads and were slightly countersunk.Category
Horse Welfare and Farriers
Animal Husbandry