Portable Forges

[Raellus]

In 2000, horses have a renewed military importance, both as mounts for cavalry, and as draft animals.

Keeping them in working shape is going to be crucial. Working horses need shoes. Horseshoes get sprung or, eventually, worn down. Apparently, horses require re-shoeing after about 6 weeks (sooner, if the workload is greater).

As recently as the Great War, armies fielded portable forges, primarily for use by farriers. I imagine these would make a comeback in the Twilight War.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IOK5orgAUs

https://www.pinterest.com/bhauser194...ortable-forge/

In the American Civil War, armies fielded traveling forges (aka battery forges)- these being larger, and wheeled. I can envision T2k armies creating ad hoc traveling forges for units with lots of horses.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traveling_forge

I'm sure there would be other applications, besides just making and mending horseshoes (and horseshoe nails).

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