Thanks for the input. Grew up in Missouri so we'll acquainted with the Ozarks. The area where I found it was ravaged by rain from TS Fred in August 21 so probably was uncovered from that. It was a pretty rugged area so unlikely there was ever any type of community in the immediate area.
I found this horseshoe today hiking in the Blue Ridge. It was pretty well buried in the mud on the side of a mountain in a place I couldn't imagine a horse being (mule maybe but also unlikely). Not knowing much about horseshoes was wondering if anyone could shed any insight as to age, etc.