Page:Horse shoes and horse shoeing.djvu/251

Rh worn in some of the countries which were invaded by the Moors or Turks in the middle ages. The Portuguese, according to Goodwin and Rev, still employ it. It is the same flat plate of iron, with a sharp ridge round the outer edge, like the Syrian, Persian, Barbary, and Turkish shoes, but in substance it is thicker. It is flat on both sides; the nail-holes are of an oblong square shape, very large, and extend far into the shoe, which is nearly round, covering the bottom of the foot, except a small hole in the centre. The heel, however, unlike the others, is turned down to the ground, for greater security in travelling. The principle of nailing is the same as in the French shoeing, and being flat on both sides, is superior to both, in the opinion of Mr Goodwin (fig. 77). Spain preserves the upturned heels, the plane surfaces, and the circular, sharp, projecting rim of the Oriental shoe. This may be accepted as a proof that the Moors shod their horses while occupying Spain; but as another proof that shoeing was practised in the 11th century, in the time of the Cid, we have the story of King Alphonso escaping from the captivity imposed upon him by Ali Maymon, the Moorish King of Toledo, and a certain Count Pedro Anserez, or Peransures, advising him to have his horse's shoes nailed on in reverse—heels to toe, and so mislead his pursuers. Alphonso effected his escape, though it is not mentioned whether this cunning