It’s not uncommon for farriers to feel pressure from clients who ask for a shoe style or trimming method because the people winning in their discipline “do it that way.” Suddenly, it becomes the “go-to” preference and influences availability of supply.

Certified journeyman farrier Craig Trnka uses “breakover” as an example of how trends influence horseshoeing. Over the past 2 decades, it has become the industry’s catch phrase. With its increased popularity, it has contributed to the more frequent use of side clips rather than toe clips, says the Edgewood, N.M., farrier.

Once you have removed the mass from the toe area, this forces the hoof capsule mass to displace in another area, which usually is the sides of the foot. Side clips are then necessary to hold the shoe in place. Clips in the side area of the foot cause pinching and force the capsule to narrow and move forward even more. This process creates the need for even more breakover, and consistent use of side clips, which creates a never ending cycle, he says.

“In response, shoe manufacturers produce more side clipped shoes than toe clips because that’s trendy,” Trnka reasons.

There’s been a decades-long debate, and sometimes controversy, on the pros and cons of clip location. Trnka’s…