Did you ever wonder how the horseshoe came to be associated with good luck? It’s an old tradition that comes from medieval Ireland. Back in those days, people believed in Goblins.
Goblins were little evil people who would do things to upset the lives of good people. If your cow suddenly stopped giving milk, or the eggs were missing from the henhouse, chances were the Goblins did it! Goblins were even implicated in more serious problems, such as causing illness or kidnapping children.
Today this sounds funny to us, but back in the day, people genuinely believed in Goblins. They were very interested in keeping the Goblins away. The wisdom of the time was that Goblins were allergic to iron. So allergic were the Goblins said to be that they’d avoid iron at all costs.
Guess what horseshoes were made of back then?
As all horse owners know (and all farriers delight in!) horseshoes wear out. This is true now, and it was true in the Middle Ages. People made use of the worn out horseshoes by nailing them over the doors and windows of their home. It was an effort to keep the Goblins – and the bad luck they cause! – out.
Over time, the tradition evolved. We’re not nearly as worried about Goblins as we once were, but we still like the idea of good luck! For that reason, horseshoe jewelry has long been a fashion staple. No one has ever scientifically proven that horseshoes cause good luck, but to be fair, no one has ever scientifically proven that horseshoes don’t cause good luck either.
Why not give it a try, especially if you can look great in the process? This sterling silver horseshoe bracelet is a great example of wearable equestrian art. Available on chestnut brown or black Gore-tex cord, it’s a simple bracelet you’ll enjoy wearing every day – at a price you’ll love. Also a great way to say “Thanks!” for the coach or riding instructor who goes the extra mile for your family.
Leave a Reply