Toe Clips

[Mark Cowdrey]

I was talking to a fellow the other day who said his farrier thought toe clips served no useful purpose.
Particularly on the front feet this seems counter intuitive to me. Watching a horse walk, there is a certain amount of scuffing of the ground when the front hoof hits. The clip would seem to reduce the horizontal strain on the nails that would tend to loosen them over time. Am I all wet?
Seems like a good research project for a grad student somewhere.
Mark

[Carl Russell]

I cut all toe clip off of shoes that I get that have them. I have used them, and I have found no measurable difference in the shoe’s staying power. If the shoe fits well and the nails are well placed, there is no need for a toe clip……
IMHO

Carl

[sickle hocks]

Clips take a lot of strain off of the nails. Usually toe clips on the fronts and side clips on the hinds. Useful on thin walls or broken up feet, you can get away with smaller nails and keep more strength in the wall. Essential for horses that pivot on their hinds a lot….cutters, reiners, etc.

If your horse is clipped keep up the shoeing interval, if the shoe gets loose and twists the horse can step on the clip and damage it’s sole….if your horse won’t stand well for shoeing and jerks its foot away during nailing it can also step on the clip..

They are easier to fit hot.

hi carl…we posted at the same time, probably in a draft horse situation they might not make that much of a difference… do you guys ever have outside calks or more traction on one side of the shoe? the twisting might make a difference then…

[Carl Russell]

sickle hocks;24212 wrote:

Clips take a lot of strain off of the nails. Usually toe clips on the fronts and side clips on the hinds. Useful on thin walls or broken up feet, you can get away with smaller nails and keep more strength in the wall…..
…. probably in a draft horse situation they might not make that much of a difference… do you guys ever have outside calks or more traction on one side of the shoe? the twisting might make a difference then…

I think the key is wall thickness and nail size. I use #8 Regular Header nails. They are pretty tough.

I agree that in certain situation of therapeutic shoeing, broken hoof wall, etc., the toe clip should add some stability that will be helpful.

Generally on a healthy solid draft hoof I find the clip to just be in the way.

My response last night was certainly minimized due to my lack of brain power, so it was specifically related to my general experience with clips. There are however many situations where they could offer advantage.

Carl

[TBigLug]

Our two farriers are split 50/50. One for one against. I personally haven’t noticed a differance in the longevity or security of the shoes with either. Like Carl said, I think it just depends on the horse and situation. I kinda like them myself but I’m no farrier. lol

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