Tool Tuesday; the snow hammer

[johan_steele]

T

I spent several years in North Africa riding or escorting mules and several months working with a railroad scout in the eastern part of the Dakota territory. If I never sit a horse again it will be too soon. I'll walk beside a mule or horse but I'm not real keen on the idea of putting a man on my back and carrying him around, I expect a horse has a similar disposition.

If you have ever worked or lived anywhere there is more than a trickle of snow and worked with a team or even just a single horse pulling a sleigh or wagon in the snow you know the snow hammer, snow knocker or other less polite terms. I do not believe I have ever seen a barn or sleigh without one. My own fell from a passing sleigh and found itself wandered into my own barn. It is a small but vital thing, though not so much on the prairie as you might expect. The snow there seems less thick and while often deep not so likely to foul a horses hooves. Instead places on the prairie have a mud that is as clingy as an old maid bent upon marriage. It can clog a hoof or even a wagon wheel.

Anyone who has traveled where there is snow and ice understand the need. Snow, ice and frozen mud build up around the hooves of your horse and it must be removed or your horse can tire or worse go lame. The snow knocker is a small enough thing and easily hung from the harness or a hook on the sleigh or wagon. I suppose many are used for other things around the farm as well. It is a small useful hammer.

Most that I have seen are small enough and made all of metal with a simple hole in the handle. I expect some are mass produced but I confess I have never seen them sold except from a blacksmith or farrier shop. There is no reason I can think of for one not to have a wooden handle except that the all metal construction is more robust.

 

[Jeff in Ohio]

What is "or other less polite terms??"

 

[johan_steele]

What is "or other less polite terms??"

We will behave and introduce no profanity to the site.

 

[Jeff in Ohio]

But if I can't easily figure out what phrase is politely hidden, then my imagination may suggest much worst phrases!

 

[Pollaco]

Definitely not a South Texas thing,but interesting.

 

[6thMichCav]

Neat! When it's snowy, I smack the sides of my shoes with my snow brush/scraper before getting into the car (think old-school baseball player clearing his cleats—at least, I do). It makes sense that a horse with clogged feet/shoes would need them cleared periodically.