STEP 1: Check the Size

Slypner Athletic Horseshoes come in a range of sizes and in standard front and hind shapes. Before applying the horseshoes, check to be sure that you have the right sized shoe for the horse. Measure the outside perimeter of the trimmed hoof, heel to heel, as shown in Diagram 1. That measurement, in inches, will match the size of the shoe.

Slypner Horseshoes come in sizes 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 (see sizing chart).

We recommend a full fit, so a horse that measures between sizes should wear the larger size. The branches of a Slypner Horseshoe should overhang the heel. This is part of the design, and does not indicate improper fit.

Tip: For a particularly narrow foot, try using hind shoes on the fronts as well. For a wide foot, a front shoe might be used on a hind hoof....whatever works.

STEP 2: Cold-Shape the Base Shoe Using Soft Strikes

A properly sized base shoe will often fit a horse's hoof with no shaping at all. If it is necessary to shape the shoe to fit, a Slypner Horseshoe is shaped by cold working - that is, it is never heated, but shaped by careful blows.

No special tools are needed, although some farriers choose to use an alternative hammer made of brass, leather, or plastic. We suggest a Stanley 21 ounce dead blow urethane hammer (stock #57-532), available at hardware stores or through our cus-tomer service department.

Slypners are built to fit most horses, so farriers generally find that a slight widening or narrowing is all that is needed. If you need to adjust the shoe, avoid direct blows to the outer locking edge or to the toe or heel coupling.

Use many soft strikes to shape the shoe rather than a few hard blows. Extreme changes to the shoe should be avoided.

Please do not curl the heels of the shoe. We realize that this may go against your better judgment, but remember: these are not ordinary horseshoes. Slypner Athletic Horseshoes are designed to have a slight overhang at the heel.

STEP 3: Apply Base Shoe to Hoof Using Slypner Nails

Drive the nails until they are just snug against the plastic bushing in the nail hole. When property shaped, a Slypner base shoe's preformed nail holes will usually correspond with the white nailing line on the horse's trimmed hoof, just like a conventional horseshoe. Be sure to use only Slypner nails to apply the base shoe since the specially designed nail heads are a part of the shoe's integrated locking mechnanism.

Slypner nails are softer than conventional nails so we recommend driving them with softer blows. To ensure a proper fit, do not over-drive the nails or abuse the nail heads in any way. This is extremely important. Slypner nails work properly when driven so the nail shaft, which widens near the nail head, just begins to snug up against the plastic-lined nail hole. Pounding the nails more deeply will prevent the lock-ing system from working properly. Overdriven nails can cause cracking on the base shoe nail holes.

STEP 4: Block and Finish As Usual

Do not let the horse stand on the unprotected base shoe. This protects the nail heads and keeps the locking mechanism from getting packed with dirt. DO NOT attach all the base shoes first- it is important to attach a wearing sole to each baseshoe right away.

Tip: If a nail hole is not used, a nail should be riveted in the empty hole before nailing on to the hoof, so all eight nail heads can engage the locking system.

STEP 5: Attach the Wearing Sole

Now you're ready to attach the wearing sole to the base shoe. Fit the stainless steel catch at the toe of the wearing sole into the toe coupling of the base shoe, then ease the heels of the wearing sole one at a time into the locking heel slots on the base shoe. Let the horse stand on the shoe with its full weight. The shoes are now engaged and ready to go!

If you still see a gap between the base shoe and wearing sole, let the horse walk on a hard surface like pavement, or try tapping on the shoe with your hammer. That should close any gaps.

Tip: In very cold weather, keeping the wearing soles at room temperature will make them easier to apply the first time you use them.

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