Shoeing

[Green Bean]

Just a question about toe or side ‘clips’ on front shoes. What are the different requirements for a single front clip (sorry, don’t know the technical term) and a side clip each side of the hoof. Just curious, no concern, just wondering

 

[milliepops]

I'm no expert but as i understand it there's a few things to consider.
You can put side clips (usually a bit further back than quarter clips) on front feet which allows the shoe to be set further back - in the case of toes that have got a bit long, or to bring the breakover back etc. they also stablise the shoe from side to side and people say they can stop expansion to the side so can help with feet that have got a bit flared - not sure how much this really helps but I think you can sometimes tell feet that have worn side clips so perhaps it does.

similarly sometimes toe clips are used behind to stop the shoe from travelling backwards through the forces put through it - i haven't had this on any of my horses but OH says he's done this for race or driving horses occasionally.

I have one with toe clips and one with side clips in front at the moment. the side clips are drawn out of a normal front shoe & the toe clip whacked off as the hind shoes are a slightly different shape to start with & OH moans that they are in the wrong place anyway.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Sometimes you don't really need any toe clips one of mine was shod for a while without any.

Mp is right about having 2 side clips it allows the shoe to be set further back.