Twin™ Shoe Features

1. Patented Double Toe Clips with Dual Sided Cutting Grooves

After the Twin™ Shoe is split between the two toe clips, each branch remains with one toe clip (and one side clip) keeping the shoe firmly in place and allowing the Twin™ Shoe to move with hoof as it flexes naturally.

The toe clips are set back into the shoe. For proper use of the Twin shoe, it is important to seat the toe clips nicely into the dorsal hoof wall preventing sideways movement of the branch and providing proper breakover. The use of a half round rasp or half round nippers is recommended for proper seating of the toe clips.

The position, shape and dimensions of the toe clips have been specially designed to ensure optimal functioning and stability of the shoe on the hoof. The front clips:

Stabilize the shoe by preventing the hoof from sliding over the shoe at impact (landing)
Minimise elevation of heels away from the shoe during the push-off phase (and as such minimise hoof wear at the heels)
Prevent lateral shifting of the branches when turning
Allow for stronger support and stability at push-off
Are rounded for safety

The cutting grooves between the toe clips act as a visual location marker to set and guide the grinder blade when deepening the grooves before nailing the shoe onto the hoof.

2. Side Clips

The Side Clips are positioned 1/3 outside the rim of the shoe so they can be partially seated/set against the hoof wall.

The Twin™ Shoe Side Clips are:

set slightly further back than standard quarter clips to reduce the lever arm (and as such torque) on turns or rotational movements.
wider and taller than standard quarter clips with a nice taper allowing for maximum stability of the shoe when turning and reducing focal stress points that generally occur in hoof wall material around the nail fixation (clinch).
rounded for safety

Although Twin™ Shoes do not require pads for better shock absorption, the larger size of the side clips does allow for easier use of pads should these be required for other purposes (or for shock absorption in case the Twin™ Shoe would not be split).

3. Non Centered U-Shaped Crease

The Twin™ Shoe Crease is positioned and adjusted to the gradual decrease in hoof wall thickness from toe to heel, allowing the farrier to nail into the white line as far back as possible with ease (when using Twin™ Shoes we do not limit heel expansion by nailing further back as the Twin™ Shoe moves with the hoof when split at the toe). The Twin™ Shoe Crease allows for a better driving angle and perfect nail fit.

4. Nail Holes

The Twin™ Shoe features six nail holes per branch, allowing the farrier to pick and choose the ideal nail location depending on hoof wall quality and integrity.

The last (sixth) nail hole is placed further back. With Twin™ Shoes, we recommend to nail back as far as possible to improve the stability of the shoe, reduce heel wear and reduce torque during impact (landing). Nailing further back also reduces the stress on the hoof horn material surrounding the last nail.

The nail holes are grouped in two sets of three, nicely positioned in front and behind the side clip (no overlap between nail holes and side clips), avoiding focal stress on hoof wall material between clips and nails.

Nail holes are accurately prepared, allowing for optimal locking of the nail head with minimal crown protrusion (Twin™ Shoes do not require additional traction devices).

5. Sweep

Twin™ Shoe feature a sweep following the angle of the nail pitch allowing the farrier to adjust the pitch as needed to the shape of the hoof for optimal nail placement.

The Twin™ Shoes Sweep also reduces the torque on turns.

6. Shoe Thickness

The Twin™ Shoe has an overall shoe thickness of 7,0 mm. This reduces thickness, resulting in:

reduced force on the navicular bone due to the lighter weight
improved stability due to closer hoof-to-ground contact
improved engagement of the frog

7. Sole Recess/Relief

The Twin™ Shoe has a Sole Recess/Relied built in allowing for enough shoe width to give support without causing excess pressure on the sole.

8. Pencilled Heels

The Twin™ Shoe has Pencil Heels which:

allow for a more natural slide/roll at impact reducing the torque on the distal limb without loosing support at mid-stance
shortens the lever arm at impact from ground contact to last nail and as such reducing the torque between shoe and hoof.
minimise the risk of stepping the shoe off.

9. Toe Support/Breakover

The Twin™ Shoe Toe Support/Breakover is nicely rounded with a broad support surface for standing and to provide proper propulsion at push off.

The farrier can still adjust the breakover to the specific needs of the horse.