Like any horseshoes, Slypner Athletic Horseshoes require the expertise of a farrier like you to fit and apply the shoes properly. While shoeing a horse with Slypners is not much different than shoeing a horse with a conventional shoe, there are some important things to remember.

Slypner Athletic Horseshoes are a revolutionary shock absorbent two-part horse-shoe system. They are comprised of a stainless steel base shoe with a polyurethane wearing sole insert. The base shoe is applied in the same manner as a traditional horseshoe, and provides the anchor for the polyurethane wearing sole, which is the key to our added shock absorption and traction. Slypner Athletic Horseshoes are easy to get to know. Our Deluxe Starter Kit con-tains a set of four stainless steel base shoes, eight polyurethane wearing soles, a removal tool for separating the wearing sole from the base shoe once they are locked in place, and a set of special Slypner nails. A Basic Starter Kit is also available and contains the same items as above, less the four additional wearing soles and the removal tool.

The Base Shoe

The base shoe is a "sandwich" of stainless steel plates, welded and brazed together by our unique process and polished to a smooth finish. Base shoes come in sizes to fit most horses, and are shaped for fore and hind hooves. Because the base shoe is pro-tected by the wearing sole, it can usually be reset for multiple shoeing periods.

Polished surface reduces friction and heel wear Shape and materials specially engineered to reduce harmonics Locking toe coupling Locking heel slots Individually angled nail holes to match hoof wall Resonance-deadening nail bushings Pre-formed toe, quarter, and side clips

The Wearing Sole

Both the base shoes and the interchangeable wearing soles come in fronts and hinds. The wearing sole is made of polyurethane with a hardened steel toe plate which should became exposed after a few days' wear. When first shod, or when the wearing sole is changed, the farrier attaches the wearing sole to the base shoe and puts the horse's foot down. The horse's weight presses the wearing sole against the base shoe, pushing the nail heads into the corresponding sockets in the wearing sole; now the two-part horseshoe is securely locked in place.

The physical flexibility of the wearing sole makes it easy to apply. Once installed, you or the horse owner can replace the wearing soles at any time.

Beveled toe to ease breakover Steel toe plate for push-off support Beveled heel design levels hoof impact Toe coupling helps to anchor wearing sole to base shoe Heel tabs help to anchor wearing sole to base shoe �Nail ports for locking system Different treads available for various levels of traction

The Nails

Slypner Horseshoe Nails are an important part of the Slypner Horseshoe package. It is important to use only these nails in applying the base shoe since the nail heads are designed to help hold the wearing sole in place.

Maintaining Slypner Athletic Horseshoes

Like traditional horseshoes, Slypner wearing soles should be checked regularly for wear. Most owners find the wearing soles last for approximately eight weeks or one shoeing period. Base shoes often last two or three times that long, but since Slypners do not interfere with normal hoof growth, the base shoe should be removed for routine hoof trimming. Your own careful visual inspection is the best test of any horseshoe�s wear. To determine whether a base shoe or wearing sole needs to be replaced, follow these guidelines:

		Discard Base Shoe If: torn heel clip toe coupling is bent or broken rim of shoe is bent cracks around nail holes extend to the edge of the base shoe
		Discard Wearing Sole If: steel toe plate is worn off at front edge wearing sole is seriously torn or cut nail ports are "bubbling" through bottom of sole

Replacing Slypner Athletic Horseshoes

Removing a worn wearing sole is a snap. Although a Slypner Removal Tool is available, a standard pair of pull-offs or nippers will do the job. Apply the pull-offs about halfway up the branch, between the shoe and the wearing sole, so it is clear of the heel locking mechanism. Take care not to cut the urethane wearing sole. Once the heel is free, pull the flexible sole firmly toward the toe to disengage the toe lock coupling and separate it from the base shoe.

Removing a Base Shoe Means Using Traditional Farrier Methods