Clips should be?

• A. High and narrow
• B. Low and wide as twice the thickness of the stock
• C. High and wide as twice the thickness of the stock
• D. Flush with the edge of the stock

Answer: (C)

Clips on a shoe are meant to grip the hoof wall securely and keep the shoe from shifting under load. They need to extend up high enough to engage the hoof tissue and be wide enough to create a strong bite that resists lever action during movement. Setting the clip width to about twice the stock thickness gives enough metal in contact to hold the shoe firmly without bending or pulling out, while still leaving room for the hoof to flex.

If a clip is too low or flush with the edge, it won’t bite into the hoof well and can slip or fail to restrain movement. A high and narrow clip has insufficient surface contact for a reliable hold.