Piece of a temporary horseshoe

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Temporary horseshoes, also known as hipposandals, were used by the Romans for temporary protection on horses' hooves. This iron piece was found during excavations of the Roman fort at Newstead in Roxburghshire.

The temporary horseshoe is incomplete, and the hook at the higher end is broken off.

Since horses were not normally ridden over hard ground, most went unshod. The Romans sometimes fitted temporary horseshoes, which were folded rather than nailed around the hoof, when rough and hard ground had to be crossed.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-037-056-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.FRA 503
• Date: Between 80 and 180 AD
  
• Material: Iron; hook at the higher end broken
  Hipposandal
  
• Dimensions:
• What: Hipposandal
  
• Subject:
• Who: Newstead Collection
  
• Where: Scotland, Roxburghshire, Melrose, Newstead
  
• Event:
• Description: Iron hipposandal from Newstead
  
• References:
• Translations:
• Related Records: