Answer:

The Revere Rubber Co., which had operations in Boston, Mass., New York, N.Y., and Chicago, Ill., manufactured the Air Cushion Racing Pad for trotters, pacers, roadsters and light-driving horses. Advertising pamphlets printed by the manufacturer at the turn of the 20th century proclaimed that the cushion fills with air at each step. It claimed that it increases the speed of track horses and “absolutely breaks the concussion across the centre of the foot, before the toe and heel come in contact with the ground. It takes the jar and pressure from the coffin joint and navicular bone, at the same time assisting the horse to break over easy and quick, thus eliminating all strain on the back tendons.” It also touts that the shoe is perfectly safe over any kind of street pavement in winter and is “absolutely non-slipping.”

Source:

Revere Rubber Co. Air Cushion Racing Pad 1901 advertising pamphlet.

Contributions

Do you have a shoe or tool that you’d like to share or want more information about? Submit photos of your item, as well as its history and how it was used to, Jeff Cota at jcota@lessitermedia.com.

 

July/August 2018 Issue Contents