Coal and coke forges were the norm for shaping horseshoes until the emergence of propane forges early 1970s. Jeff Cota | Posted in Equipment, Forging Takeaways The rise of mobile farriers drove the widespread adoption of portable propane forges in the early 1970s. The propane forge offered advantages, as propane is easily available and uniform, unlike good soft coal. The electric forge is quiet and clean; however, 110-volt induction coils are insufficient for practical horseshoe shaping.