23. Horseshoe, iron

From Stora Hellvigs, Fole parish, Gotland, 1300-1361 A. D. Horses were smaller in the Middle Ages than they are now, their size was equivalent to a modern day Icelandic horse. This also means that the horseshoes found are generally smaller. The custom of using horseshoes came from the continent. Initially the horses were fitted with shoes only when their hooves were subject to heavy wear. SHM 21993:104