Horses Spoon, The main horseshoe myth is the legend of St. Dunstan and the Devil, which explains why horseshoes are considered lucky and protective charms. The story claims a 10th-century blacksmith, St. Dunstan, was visited by the Devil, who asked to have his hooves shod. Dunstan instead nailed a hot horseshoe to the Devil's hoof, causing immense pain. In exchange for removing it, the Devil promised never to enter a place marked by a horseshoe above the door. This legend explains the belief that horseshoes ward off evil spirits, with variations also attributing luck to the iron material, the number seven, and the crescent shape.