Pallas writes of the Cossacks of Jaïk (Orembourg), that their horses are not shod, because the dry soil induces them to have very fine and very hard hoofs.[1]
Wood, who travelled in Turkestan six centuries later, informs us that the Uzbeks shod their horses on the fore-feet, 'and the shoes are in shape a perfect circle.'[2]
In one of the oldest Astrakan Tartar songs, composed towards the end of the 14th century, entitled 'Adiga,' and written in the Nogay-Tartar dialect, the extravagant fashion of shoeing is alluded to. A Mongol Khan was jealous of Adiga, a Tartar chief, who was in consequence compelled to fly to the desert. He was brought back, however, and offered a numerous stud of mares, that he might drink kumiss, and have the meadows of Karaday for the pasture of his hunting-horses, where they would be made fat as 'lions' thighs.' The Mongol, full of wrath because he would not accept this splendid offer, ordered many horses to be killed and a great quantity of mead to be brewed, in order to feast all the tribes whom he wished to assemble in conference before going to war with Adiga's people. None of his nobles could advise him; but they referred him to a sage named Sobra, who lived some distance off", and who could give advice. 'If so,' said the Mongol, 'then bid the horse be put to my golden chariot (kûs). Let the horses be shod with golden shoes and silver
par la gelée ou par la neige, les Tartares cousent sous les pieds de leurs chevaux des morceaux de vieille corne, afin de les empêcher de glisser et d'empêcher l'usure des pieds.'
