Posted by Eric Wilt on August 09, 2003 at 00:12:57:
In Reply to: Draft Horse Clinches posted by Arthur Jones on August 08, 2003 at 15:20:48:
: Recently I spent time with 2 different farriers learning about draft horses. They both do a lot of drafts. One makes small square clinches and files them smooth reducing their stregnth much as I always do with light horses. The other makes long rectangular clinches and does not file them. The later farrier feels that the long clinch has more surface area and will bend away easier if a shoe is stepped on than a small square clinch. The former feels that the filed small square clinch is the way to go to avoid hoofwall damage if a shoe is pulled off.
: I am curious about what type of clinch those on the board who do drafts are using and why.
: TIA
: Art
: Art's Farrier Service
Ive shod a few drafts,although Im primarily a Standardbred horseshoer.But my opinion is this-if an 1800+ draft puts his hind foot on his front shoe,the shoe doesnt stand a chance.We use 10 nails instead of 6.I used Capewell 8's insteat of Izumi 2's.Since the horse is big,that takes care of that.But when it comes to the clinch-I prefer the smaller thinner clinch.The shoe will stay on just as good.If a shoe is nailed on securely from the get go,they as a rule dont just "fall off" anyhow.They may get knocked loose,torn off,stepped on,the horse paws,or kicks ,whatever...Big clinch ,little clinch,either way the shoe will lose.So why not try to minimize the damage to the foot before something ever happens?Then you can just drive out,nail it on and move on.Save all the headaches of punching new nailholes,drawing clips,equilox putty,etc...if possible. Good Luck-Eric Wilt