How to Use Clips With Horseshoes

A horseshoe with clips holds the shoe in place better than a shoe without clips. Clips are small triangles of metal that are welded onto the show itself and fit over the upper portion of the hoof. They come either already attached to the shoe or the shoe is matched to the horse's hoof and then clips are welded on in specific positions on the shoe for a secure fit. Clips are used in a number of ways depending your horse's hooves and environment. Only a trained farrier should put horseshoes with clips on your horse.

Things You'll Need

  • Horseshoe with clips
  • Horse
  • Farrier
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Instructions

    • 1

      Secure a pad between the horseshoe and the hoof with tall clips at the ten o'clock and two o'clock position on the horse's hoof. This also takes some of the pressure off the hoof.

    • 2

      Place clips at the widest part of the horse's hoof if the horse has wide feet that have flared outward. The clips may force the hoof to narrow and grow straighter.

    • 3

      Place one clip on each side of the shoe for a horse that is taken into wet conditions. The clips keep the wet hoof from spreading.

    • 4

      Attach a long and wide clip to the area of the shoe that lines up to a section of hoof that is missing or damaged. This keeps the shoe from being exposed where the hoof is misshapen.

    • 5

      Position clips to relate to the direction of greatest stress on the shoe. If the horse is expected to perform lateral movements such as in dressage and rodeo riding, clips placed at the ten o'clock and two o'clock position will stabilize the shoe during side-to-side motion. For horses that run or are highly active, a toe clip at the front of the shoe stabilizes the shoe during the forward motion.