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Details
Object Name

snowshoe

Date

1800s-early 1900s

Materials

Square piece of plank with metal fastening, rivets and screws

Dimensions

10 1/2 in x 10 in (26.7 cm x 25.4 cm)

Credit Line

Museum purchase

Object ID

90.143.11

Institution

Autry Museum of the American West

Category

Art and Artifacts


Remarks

Snowshoe for horse, wood plank with metal fastening, collected at Oroville, California, 1800s-early 1900s. During the 1800s and first half of 1900s, snowshoes for horses were widely used when breaking roads in deep snow or for off-road skidding and wood hauling during winter seasons. The snowshoes were also used in summer, especially in Newfoundland, to prevent horses from getting stuck when working in swampy grounds. The Idaho Free Press reporter observed in 1902: When first these snowshoes are put on it is an amazing sight to watch the maneuvers of the horse; it takes some little time for him to get used to them. But it is surprising to note the effect it has on the ordinary animal. He walks along with as much confidence as the average Norwegian would on his skis, and really lifts his foot to have it put on, seeming to understand the necessity of their existence. With these shoes good loads can be packed over quite soft snow.

Subject

horse equipment and supplies

snow

Used

horses

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