The Blacksmith Shop of Percy's grandfather, William Horatio Wyman
William Wyman with box of tools, his brother, Frank seated on stone, his son, Frank seated in the door, Enos W. Boise leading horse out of shop, Truman Blair on his left standing, Ruth Knox and Ruben Knox in wagon.
William Wyman with box of tools, his brother, Frank seated on stone, his son, Frank seated in the door, Enos W. Boise leading horse out of shop, Truman Blair on his left standing, Ruth Knox and Ruben Knox in wagon.
Shoeing Cattle
Described by Percy Wyman
Edited by Doris Hayden
Has anyone ever told you of the way cattle were shoed in the good old days? And all the work you had to do before you started and got through?
The ox frame was built by my grandfather (William Horatio Wyman) years ago of strong timbers and well braced. The four posts were about ten inches square and about five feet high. They were grooved at the top and an eight inch timber, or roller, ran the length of the frame, rounded to fit into the groove and held down by an iron strap so it would not lift out. In this lengthwise piece, two holes, two inches in diameter, were bored in opposite directions just inside each post, so by inserting a strong stick and turning, it would make a hoist. You could get a quarter turn each time. These rounded timbers were on each side of the frame, which was well braced inside and outside. The floor was planked to make a firm foundation. A stanchion was placed in front for the ox’s head to go through. This could be locked to hold the head securely. The whole frame was about two and a half feet wide - enough so the ox could enter but with little to spare. On each side was a long pole fastened about sixteen inches above the floor, which ran back a way. The ox’s feet were placed on these poles being raised off the floor.
After the ox was in the stall and the stanchion locked tight, a cross piece was placed behind him to hold him just right. Then an apron of webbing about three feet each away was placed under his stomach and ribs so he could be lifted. The apron had straps of double leather with rings at each end. Four chains with hooks were attached to the rollers. After the apron had been placed and the hooks hitched into the rings, the time for lifting had come. It took almost always eight men to lift the ox off the floor by inserting a stick into each bored hole. Each gave the roller a quarter turn at the same time so as to lift the ox straight at every turn. Some oxen made an awful fuss until they were raised high enough so their feet would not touch the floor. Then they would give up and not bother any more.
We would raise them up until the bottom of the knees came to the top of the pole that ran lengthwise, then we locked the stick in order to hold them at the right height. Then each leg was tied securely to the pole. The hind legs would be pulled out back on the extended part.
After that father (Ely Wyman) and Uncle Bill (William Wyman) took off the old shoes all around, and each took a foot and pared it down if needed. Then found the right sized shoe to be fitted. Father used a rasp to make the bottom of the foot smooth, while Uncle Bill began preparing the shoes. After the shoes were heated, they would try them on, maybe burning the hoof a little to make them tight. There were two shoes for each foot as it is in two parts. When one shoe was ready, they started nailing, one keeping just ahead of the other so as not to be in the way - one fitting and the other nailing. Ox shoes came in many sizes, for the difference in the feet was quite surprising.
I don’t remember how long it took to shoe an ox but I have seen seven or eight pair waiting. On stormy days, it seemed they came from everywhere. Father most always helped shape the work with Uncle Bill. We boys helped raise the oxen up and lower them down.
I’ve watched them shod many times but it’s quite hard to remember the details after such a long time. I never understood how a pair of oxen with a wooden yoke could draw so much without breaking their necks.
Described by Percy Wyman
Edited by Doris Hayden
Has anyone ever told you of the way cattle were shoed in the good old days? And all the work you had to do before you started and got through?
The ox frame was built by my grandfather (William Horatio Wyman) years ago of strong timbers and well braced. The four posts were about ten inches square and about five feet high. They were grooved at the top and an eight inch timber, or roller, ran the length of the frame, rounded to fit into the groove and held down by an iron strap so it would not lift out. In this lengthwise piece, two holes, two inches in diameter, were bored in opposite directions just inside each post, so by inserting a strong stick and turning, it would make a hoist. You could get a quarter turn each time. These rounded timbers were on each side of the frame, which was well braced inside and outside. The floor was planked to make a firm foundation. A stanchion was placed in front for the ox’s head to go through. This could be locked to hold the head securely. The whole frame was about two and a half feet wide - enough so the ox could enter but with little to spare. On each side was a long pole fastened about sixteen inches above the floor, which ran back a way. The ox’s feet were placed on these poles being raised off the floor.
After the ox was in the stall and the stanchion locked tight, a cross piece was placed behind him to hold him just right. Then an apron of webbing about three feet each away was placed under his stomach and ribs so he could be lifted. The apron had straps of double leather with rings at each end. Four chains with hooks were attached to the rollers. After the apron had been placed and the hooks hitched into the rings, the time for lifting had come. It took almost always eight men to lift the ox off the floor by inserting a stick into each bored hole. Each gave the roller a quarter turn at the same time so as to lift the ox straight at every turn. Some oxen made an awful fuss until they were raised high enough so their feet would not touch the floor. Then they would give up and not bother any more.
We would raise them up until the bottom of the knees came to the top of the pole that ran lengthwise, then we locked the stick in order to hold them at the right height. Then each leg was tied securely to the pole. The hind legs would be pulled out back on the extended part.
After that father (Ely Wyman) and Uncle Bill (William Wyman) took off the old shoes all around, and each took a foot and pared it down if needed. Then found the right sized shoe to be fitted. Father used a rasp to make the bottom of the foot smooth, while Uncle Bill began preparing the shoes. After the shoes were heated, they would try them on, maybe burning the hoof a little to make them tight. There were two shoes for each foot as it is in two parts. When one shoe was ready, they started nailing, one keeping just ahead of the other so as not to be in the way - one fitting and the other nailing. Ox shoes came in many sizes, for the difference in the feet was quite surprising.
I don’t remember how long it took to shoe an ox but I have seen seven or eight pair waiting. On stormy days, it seemed they came from everywhere. Father most always helped shape the work with Uncle Bill. We boys helped raise the oxen up and lower them down.
I’ve watched them shod many times but it’s quite hard to remember the details after such a long time. I never understood how a pair of oxen with a wooden yoke could draw so much without breaking their necks.