Mud (Marsh) Horseshoe - Keir Memorial Museum
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History Of The Artefact:
The Earliest Known production date of this Mud Horseshoe is from 1750 to 1760.
This Marsh or Mud Horseshoe made of wood, leather and metal and was carved from two wooden blocks. The interior edge of each block is curved and beveled; attached below the frame is a rectangular piece of flat metal bolted to the wood; attached to the upper portion of the wooden frame are two looped lengths of wide leather and attached to lower portion is a third length of looped leather that appears to be handmade.
These devices were strapped to horses hooves when walking in marshes and other soft earth areas, it allowed the animal to keep from sinking or becoming stuck in the mud by displacing their weight over a larger area (similar in function to a snow shoe).
Many Acadians on Prince Edward Island farmed the diverse marsh lands found near the coast. Alterations to traditional farming methods were a necessity. Often grown on the marsh wetlands was marsh hay a general term for the wild sedge grasses also referred to as "wire" grass. Farmers used horse drawn machinery, but the horses had to wear "swamp (Mud) shoes" to prevent them sinking into the spongy earth. The shoes were pieces of thick wood that fit over the hoof and helped support the weight of the horse. If the terrain was too wet for the animals the grasses would be cut by hand using a scythe and raked into windrows.
This method was hard, sweaty work and the workers were plagued by swarms of mosquitoes. The grass was sharp, especially after it dried, and often cut the farmers hands and arms.
After the hay was dry it was formed into 200 pound coils and carried by two people on long poles and staked where it was stored for the winter. The stacks were constructed on a base two feet off the ground. Wooden stakes were driven in a criss-cross fashion into the ground to prevent them from being pulled out by the ice. Poles were placed in the crotch of the stakes and were connected together by wire. The stacks would be about eight feet high. Each farmer would cut 15-16 stacks. The hay on the stacks was groomed to allow rain to run off. Livestock often preferred marsh hay because of the salt content.
The money received from the sale of grass was an important source of income for many people on the Island.
This Marsh or Mud Horseshoe made of wood, leather and metal and was carved from two wooden blocks. The interior edge of each block is curved and beveled; attached below the frame is a rectangular piece of flat metal bolted to the wood; attached to the upper portion of the wooden frame are two looped lengths of wide leather and attached to lower portion is a third length of looped leather that appears to be handmade.
These devices were strapped to horses hooves when walking in marshes and other soft earth areas, it allowed the animal to keep from sinking or becoming stuck in the mud by displacing their weight over a larger area (similar in function to a snow shoe).
Many Acadians on Prince Edward Island farmed the diverse marsh lands found near the coast. Alterations to traditional farming methods were a necessity. Often grown on the marsh wetlands was marsh hay a general term for the wild sedge grasses also referred to as "wire" grass. Farmers used horse drawn machinery, but the horses had to wear "swamp (Mud) shoes" to prevent them sinking into the spongy earth. The shoes were pieces of thick wood that fit over the hoof and helped support the weight of the horse. If the terrain was too wet for the animals the grasses would be cut by hand using a scythe and raked into windrows.
This method was hard, sweaty work and the workers were plagued by swarms of mosquitoes. The grass was sharp, especially after it dried, and often cut the farmers hands and arms.
After the hay was dry it was formed into 200 pound coils and carried by two people on long poles and staked where it was stored for the winter. The stacks were constructed on a base two feet off the ground. Wooden stakes were driven in a criss-cross fashion into the ground to prevent them from being pulled out by the ice. Poles were placed in the crotch of the stakes and were connected together by wire. The stacks would be about eight feet high. Each farmer would cut 15-16 stacks. The hay on the stacks was groomed to allow rain to run off. Livestock often preferred marsh hay because of the salt content.
The money received from the sale of grass was an important source of income for many people on the Island.