Obs. Also spunge. [ad. older F. esponge (mod.F. éponge), alteration of OF. esponde:—L. sponda frame (of a bed, etc.).] A heel of a horse-shoe.
1580. Blundevil, Horsemanship, IV. 62 b. The Grauelling … commeth by meanes of little grauell stones getting betwixt the hooue, or calking, or sponge of the [horse’s] shooe.
1596. Mascall, Cattle, 156. In shooing the fore feete, make your shooes with a broade webbe and with thick sponges.
1607. Markham, Cavel., VI. (1617), 64. The heeles shal be made with extraordinary long spunges, & those spunges more broad and flat then commonly is vsed.
1726. Dict. Rust., s.v., Those who make the spunges of their Horses Shoes too long … spoil their Feet.
