Why do old fashioned horse shoes have knobbles on the end?

[wench]

Any takers?

 

[crabbymare]

Sounds like calkins? sort of permanent studs in the back shoes?

 

[touchstone]

Do you mean calkins? I understood it that they gave extra grip, especially over cobbles.

 

[Nari]

Do you mean calkins? I understood it that they gave extra grip, especially over cobbles.

This.

 

[Hairy Old Cob]

To give extra grip biting in between the cobbles and Draught Horse shoes had large knops "Cleats" to improve the horses traction in slippery field conditions.

 

[wench]

Thank you!