Amish road safety group seeks ways to lower horseshoe damage
The Amish Road Horse Safety Committee is currently working on creating safer travel and is exploring the effects of different types of horseshoes on area roads.
Everyday wear and tear from cars and heavy transportation vehicles can do damage on Ohio’s roadways. However, like many counties that boast larger Amish populations, Holmes and Wayne county roads face an additional burden from the wear and tear of buggy tires and horseshoes.
On Saturday, March 26, Duane Hershberger, a member of Amish Road Horse Safety Committee, addressed county township trustees and other county officials during the annual Holmes County township meeting to speak about steps being taken to address damage to roads specific to buggy and horse travel.
“A lot of people think the Amish community isn’t concerned about the upkeep of our roads, and that couldn’t be further from the truth,” Hershberger said.
The committee was created with a balanced number of members to explore how the Amish community can help maintain county roads and to serve as a liaison between the Amish community and Chris Young and the county engineer’s office.
The committee grew out of the Holmes County Amish Steering Committee after a survey concerning the damage buggies can do on a road was done, but Hershberger said not much came from it. The HCASC decided data needed to be pursued. Thus they created the Amish Road Horse Safety Committee.
“It’s been great working with Chris,” Hershberger said of Young’s willingness to work together to address roadway damage created by buggies.
Hershberger said one of the main issues the committee has faced has been horses slipping on roadways.
Hershberger said there are different types of horseshoes for various horses, and horseshoes vary from season to season. He said farriers are working hard to manipulate horseshoes during each season to lessen the amount of wear and tear, as well as creating the least possible slippage for horses.
“Farriers were seeing the most damage to roads from May to September,” Hershberger said. “So when we put shoes on, the metal is hot, so we can push it around and flatten it. In the summer we flatten the heel and toe area to give it more surface to do minimal damage to the roads.”
Hershberger said the committee will continue to work closely with Young and his crew to develop ways to lessen road damage while maintaining the safest possible methods of travel for Amish buggies.
“The Amish community is very intent on helping maintain our roadways in any way possible,” Hershberger said. “As part of the community, it is our duty to be a part of that effort.”