Possibly a silly question about shoes…

[ImmyS]

Probably a silly question and I did a quick Google search but couldn’t really find the answer and farrier had left before I had noticed and could ask.

Why would a farrier choose to shoe a horse without clenches? I have only ever seen shod horses with clenches, either at the toe or quarters of the hoof. Just curious really and will be sure to ask farrier next time

 

[ycbm]

For showing or for sale. If the horse's feet or legs aren't straight, then shoeing with clenches makes it really obvious.

The old maxim was that a clench has the holding power of several nails.

ETA if this was your horse, then probably because that was the only set of shoes he had left that fitted!
.

 

[ImmyS]

Thank you. Horse isn’t showing or for sale in this case so maybe just felt not needed?

 

[ImmyS]

I was being dim, just realised they are natural balance shoes. Was holding my livery’s horse for farrier and hadn’t seen them used in practice before.

 

[ImmyS]

I was being dim, just realised they are natural balance shoes. Was holding my livery’s horse for farrier and hadn’t seen them used in practice before.

 

[Marigold4]

I was being dim, just realised they are natural balance shoes. Was holding my livery’s horse for farrier and hadn’t seen them used in practice before.

This might be a bit controversial, but my trimmer said farriers like to use natural balance shoes as they are quicker/easier to fit.