I have always supposed it was to confuse anyone attempting to track him. They would see the prints, and think, 'that's a horse going towards the stable, not the one we're looking for'.
Liz
"m.jefferson" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>A query:
>'The ballad of East and West'
>He has lifted her out of the stable-door Between
>the dawn and the day,
>And turned the calkins upon her feet, and ridden
>her far away.
>
>Now I think calkins (or calks) are metal points on a horseshoe primarily designed to prevent slipping. Why would Kemal the calkins?, why do it?.
>Enlightenment from those familiar with horses and farriery much appreciated.
>Michael Jefferson.
>
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