Clips (caps) for glue-on shoes

More hold, even for movement-intensive horses

Anyone who has ever held a horseshoe in their hand probably knows them: the small triangular metal caps that protrude beyond the horseshoe and enclose the hoof wall. On front hooves there is usually a single cap in the middle of the horseshoe (toe clip), whereas on the hind hooves there are usually two caps (left and right of centre = side clips) attached.

But what is the purpose of these caps actually, and are they also needed on glue-on shoes (Bekleb)?

Function of clips on the horseshoe

The clips (also called caps or stops) primarily serve to improve force transmission. Because when the horse places the hoof on the ground from its forward movement, it "slides" a little into the shoe. So that the nails (and thus the holes in the hoof wall) are not excessively stressed, there are the clips: they catch a good part of the force, so that the nail holes in the hoof wall do not take the full force and the shoe remains securely on the hoof.

One or two clips?

A central toe clip fulfils this function wonderfully, since the horse slides toe-first. In addition, the toe clip interferes the least with the hoof mechanism, because the hoof capsule does not widen at the toe but only in the lateral or posterior hoof area.

So why two side clips on the hind hooves then? With side clips the horseshoe can be set back somewhat, so that the toe of the hoof protrudes over the front edge of the horseshoe. This facilitates breakover and prevents more serious injuries if the horse forges with the hindlegs into the forelegs. From time to time you also see front hooves shod with side clips. The reason for this is simple: since the shoe with side clips can be set back, this can be advantageous in certain hoof situations or diseases (e.g. navicular disease).

In addition, the side clips fix the horseshoe better on the hoof than a single clip at the toe, especially during lateral twisting movements of the limb (shear forces), which is more often the case with hind hooves.

Because the metal clips are rigid, however, the hoof is also restricted in its flexibility. On the one hand this concerns the hoof mechanism and on the other the conical growth of the hoof. Because the hoof walls do not grow perpendicular to the ground but instead the hoof becomes wider at the ground than at the coronet. If the hoof capsule is now laterally limited by the metal caps, the walls can no longer grow conically but only straight. Over time the hoof becomes narrower (or with time "overgrows" the side clips, i.e. the hoof walls break out).

The pros and cons of side clips versus toe clips must therefore always be carefully weighed.

Beware of injuries

Apart from that, metal caps carry a certain risk of injury: if a horse kicks off a shoe, it often remains on the ground in such a way that the metal clips point upward. If a horse then steps on it, this can lead to serious hoof injuries.

And what about the Bekleb?

With a glue-on (Klebebeschlag) there are no nails or nail holes that would have to be protected from being overloaded on impact. Clips are therefore normally superfluous on a Bekleb. Add to this: the hoof capsule is enclosed by the tab fingers like a crown, which also provides force distribution. Since the tabs are made of flexible plastic, they barely restrict the hoof mechanism and conical growth.

But the tabs have a catch: they can tear. This is not by chance, but a built-in predetermined breaking point; it serves as a safety mechanism in case the glue-on gets caught somewhere or the horse steps on its own Bekleb. In such cases it is explicitly desired that the tabs tear at the tab neck so that the hoof wall is not damaged.

As a result, however, the tabs can also tear in undesired situations - namely whenever especially much force comes onto the tabs. This is the case, for example, when jumping or going downhill (here the front tabs sometimes tear at the hoof), or with heavy horses that twist a lot while standing (here the rearmost tabs of a tab collar occasionally tear).

Therefore, for such "special candidates" there is the possibility to attach clips to glue-on shoes as well. Not made of metal, however, but of TPU - the same material as the base plates and tab collars. This means that these plastic caps can be deformed and welded on with the hot-air gun just like the other components of a Bekleb. This has many advantages: on the one hand, the number and positioning of the clips can be varied. They can be attached to the Bekleb where the greatest force transmission frequently occurs for this individual horse. This is often in the rear area of the hoof when the horse makes many turning movements on the standing leg. Equally, however, they can also be used as toe clips or classic side clips.

Because the plastic caps are stiff but still deformable to a certain extent, the hoof mechanism and conical growth of the hoof capsule are only slightly affected by lateral attachment. Moreover, with the more yielding plastic clips, the risk of injury is also significantly reduced compared to metal caps if a horse should lose a Bekleb and step on it.

Conclusion

Clips serve to improve force distribution and the improved hold of the (glue-on) shoe on the hoof. While toe or side clips are almost always necessary with a metal shoe, they are usually superfluous on a glue-on. On a Bekleb, however, plastic caps can be individually attached as needed and are then - due to their flexibility - less restrictive for the hoof capsule and carry a lower risk of injury than conventional metal caps.

To the product: Clip caps

Author: Nathalie Kurz