Route of forges and shoeing frames
Memories of the cattle activity of the sierra
Madrid, in addition to reinventing itself every day, is a region in which the traditions of the past are combined with its well-known vocation for modernity. The region's past (sometimes present) livestock and agricultural past has also become a tourist resource. The forges and shoeing racks scattered throughout the Community are another excuse to delve into the best of Madrid's rural tourism.
Route of forges and shoeing frames
For an eminently agricultural and rural region, the Madrid of yesteryear, forges were essential. In them, not only the iron elements necessary for farmers, ranchers and craftsmen were manufactured or repaired, but also essential household utensils, such as knockers, rings, hooks, keys...
The forge had the stove o hearth, as well as with the bellows, which propelled the air to reach temperatures of up to 900ºC. With this, the iron was melted, which was placed on the anvil to shape it with the blow of a hammer; It was also essential cooling stack and temper the iron, and sharpening wheel.
To this day, there are forges in Puebla de la Sierra and Horcajuelo.
Linked closely to forging activity was the shoeing process. The horses were placed in shoeing frames and immobilised to facilitate the process of fitting the shoes. They were led into the shoeing frames, their heads attached to the yoke, and one or two leather straps under their bellies; and using a complicated pulley system they were suspended in the air, allowing the farrier to do his work.
Horcajuelo, Montejo and Prádena have also preserved their shoeing frames.