Jason,
The evolution of horseshoe blacksmithing paralleled changed to the industry
in general with the Industrial Revolution and development of steel. For a
number of years, Canadian archaeologists were involved in studying these
changes as the formulae for steel thwarted traditional blacksmith solutions
to welding, cutting and working metals. You might find the Canadian
publications on blacksmithing relevant to your study. If so, a metalurgical
analysis of your horseshoe could help you place your item in the range of
those dramatic changes.
Ron May
Legacy 106, Inc.