blueline® evo! Horseshoe & Weld-on Clips — Gluing & Nailing

General Application and Safety Instructions

As this is a urethane-based product and its handling and processing are similar to our own, please follow our safety instructions for Duplo products when working with the blueline® evo! and wear the required protective equipment. Wolfgang Busch also emphasizes that trimming and shoeing should only be carried out by trained professionals, and that personal protective equipment is mandatory when working with products that are made of TPU.

blueline® evo! vs. Duplo – Differences and Similarities

In principle, the evo! can be processed in the same way as a Duplo – with a few important exceptions. Therefore, please refer to our general instructions for gluing and shoeing while taking the following aspects into account:

• Since the blueline® evo! does not contain a metal core, it cannot be shaped like a traditional steel shoe. Adjustments using a forging hammer or vice are therefore not possible. The shoe is fitted solely by grinding or by welding on elements such as color strips or Extensions – both products from our own range are compatible with the blueline® evo!.
• Using the blueline® evo! in combination with our cast hooks is generally possible. However, it is necessary to appropriately modify the area around the nailing slots.
• Duplo offers two hardness levels – the harder Extra version and the softer Standard version. The material used for the urethane cover of the blueline® evo! falls roughly between these two levels.
• And last but not least, a small but meaningful difference: while Duplo sizes increase in 4 mm steps, the blueline® evo! features a sizing interval of 5 mm!

blueline® Weld-on Clips

Weld-on clips are available in various sizes and can be attached to the blueline® evo! — and of course also to the Duplo — wherever needed. They can be used either as side clips or toe clips. Additionally, for a toe dragger , it may be helpful to use a slightly larger weld-on clip and weld it onto the toe area of the shoe to prevent the hoof from wearing through.

To make positioning easier, Wolfgang Busch has integrated small welding aids into the weld-on clips. If you plan to place a tab directly next to the clip, you can remove these welding aids before welding — using leather shears or hoof nippers, for example. Of course, it’s also possible to grind them off after welding.

If the clip is meant to be partially embedded into the hoof wall, the horseshoe can be notched at the appropriate point — for instance, using hoof nippers, an angle grinder, or a belt sander.

In principle, weld-on clips can be used with any horseshoe that has a urethane shell. But be aware: if another composite horseshoes exposes a metal core or a plastic core that is not weldable, a secure weld at that location is no longer possible. It is therefore essential to ensure that the plastic coating is intact. With the blueline® evo!, this is not an issue — both the outer shell and the core can be welded to the clips without any problems.

Summer and Winter Variants

Choose the appropriate weld-on clip based on the horseshoe size, the intended application, and the ambient temperature during welding. For temperatures below 10°C (50°F), we recommend using the winter variant; for temperatures above that, the summer variant is suitable.

Welding on the Clips – Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Gently preheat both the clip and the horseshoe at the welding area.
2. Ensure that the entire clip is warm and slightly pliable so it can conform to the curvature of the horseshoe. For this reason, using our welding device is unfortunately not possible.
3. Bring both welding surfaces — on the horseshoe and the clip — to welding temperature and begin the welding process.
4. Allow the weld seam to cool completely. Do not quench with cold water, as this can make the material brittle!
5. Reheat the clip slightly above the welded joint to adjust the angle to the hoof.