Horseshoes: One very important
contribution the blacksmith made to a farming community was the ability to make
horseshoes. Every farmer needed horseshoes therefore, as you can imagine, it was a very
important responsibility. The process to make a horseshoe is quite complicated. The
blacksmith first has to select a steel bar of the appropriate size, and then heat it so he
can work on it. He draws out a certain section, reheats it, makes a few bends, reheats it
and resizes it. He continues making bends and curves and adjustments until the shape of
the shoe is completely finished. Unfortunately, it doesn't stop there. The blacksmith
still has to make the proper creases and mark the spots for the nails. He then has to
carefully punch the holes for the nails. Everything has to be exact or he will have to
start over again. Depending on the skill of the blacksmith, this process could take a few
minutes, an hour or, much longer.
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