224 HORSESHOES AND HORSE-SHOEING. 



device, which in after-ages was resorted to, had any 

 influence in promoting it/ Since the invasion of the 

 Turks, their mode of shoeing has prevailed more or less 

 in Transylvania, though the shoe somevv^iat resembles 

 that of the Moors, but with more cover. The heels 

 are brought together like the letter V, and welded so as 

 to form a wide patch projecting behind. The holes, 

 three on each side, are circular. ' Wherever the Mus- 

 sulman has exercised his authority for any length of time,' 

 says Defays,^ ' some traces of his shoeing remain.' 



The Iberian peninsula has been successively invaded 

 by the Romans, who introduced among the Lusitanians 

 a branch of the wide-spread Celts ; by the Germanic 

 tribes — Alans, Suevi, Goths, and Vandals; and finally, 

 by the Saracens, who were expelled after the decisive vic- 

 tory of Ourique. As a consequence of these invasions, 

 it appears that at the present day we have traces of the 

 characteristic shoeing existing which was practised by 

 each of the foreign races. 



The circular shoe, more or less modified in shape, 

 prevails over a large extent of the continents of Africa 

 and Asia, but we are left in grave doubts as to the origin 

 of this particular form of hoof-armature. It displays 

 a certain amount of originality, yet not sufficient, one 

 would be inclined to think, to warrant the opinion that it 

 was an independent invention. The form is but of 

 secondary importance : garnishing the foot with a metallic 

 plate, and attaching it by means of nails driven through 



' Chronica de Famoso Cavallcro Cid Ruy Diaz Campeador, cap. 42. 

 Burgos, 1593. 



^ Annales de Med. Vet., p. 260. Bruxelles, 1867. 



