The Snow Edition – a Horseshoe Specially Designed for the Cold Season
Our clipped and threaded Snow Edition features an optimized protection against snow balling up , can be used with cleats/studs and is, of course, made of the slightly softer synthetic material used in our Standard horseshoes.
Especially with ice and snow, riding can become a slippery affair. The challenges for winter shoeing are quite diverse.
- The synthetic material must be hard enough to be abrasion- resistant when there is no snow, yet it should also be soft enough not to become too rigid and slippery at lower temperatures.
- A horseshoe for the cold season should efficiently prevent dangerous snowballing under the hoof.
- A winter horseshoe, regardless of the material used, should be capable of being equipped with additional traction enhancing devices like quick studs ( a.k.a. Spikes ) or cleats to make your ride safer.
- In an ideal scenario, the traction enhancing devices can be applied retroactively when the horse is already shoed. Because, especially during a shoeing appointment in November, one must already consider the winter conditions, even though the additional traction may not be immediately necessary everywhere during the transition between seasons.
We are introducing our Snow Edition to address these challenges. We hope that our optimized protection against the snow balling up can meet not only our expectations but also yours, providing even better protection against the dangerous snowballing than our regular models. We are looking forward to your feedback. You can share your experiences with us and other horse owners and farriers through the Reviews function.
Please note: The Snow Edition has been designed for use with spikes and/or cleats and should not be used without additional traction-enhancing devices.
Horseshoeing in the Cold Season – Photos
The Snow Edition with optimized snowballing protection is available in sizes ranging from 114mm to 142mm in both front and hind pattern.
During the period leading up to the permanent use of the cleats, you should close the threaded inserts with suitable Closure plug .
We recommend a combination of spikes and cleats for the cold season. The Snow Edition should not be used without additional traction enhancing devices.
We usually recommend our 4mm anti-skid cleats for use in combination with the Snow Edition. In our opinion, the 6mm version should only be used when there is a sufficient snow cover.
The soft version of the Wolf Busch® glue-on tabs has been developed for the use during colder temperatures. You can find more details about the unique features of the soft version in its article description.
Until now, our Standard clipped and threaded horseshoe has been informally referred to as the 'Winter Horseshoe'. We are curious to see who comes out on top – the Snow Edition from the Innovations test range or our regular clipped and threaded version.
Application Guide and Security Information – Video
The Snow Edition is primarily aimed at leisure riders who want to stay active with their horses even in icy and snowy conditions. Therefore, it is important for us to point out the dangers that also our Snow Edition with additional traction enhancing devices cannot completely eliminate!
With ice and snow, there can always be situations where the horse starts to slip. Icy roads, snowdrifts, ice patches, and so on – all of these pose risks to both the horse and the rider, which cannot always be completely prevented, especially when riding off-road but of course also on the premises of the stable.
Please keep this in mind while riding and even when leading the horse, and always adjust your speed to the ground, temperature, and weather conditions. Our goal is to provide you with the best products to equip you for winter conditions, but the gait, speed, and ultimately the choice of a safe trail are the responsibility of the rider.
You can find comprehensive instructions for both nailed and glued application of our horseshoes in the FAQ section → instructions, and, of course, in the article description of the glue-on products.
Shoeing for the Cold Season
Since one can never predict when winter will arrive and how much snow will fall, it's a good idea to keep all options open for the optimal winter shoeing.
You can initially equip the Snow Edition with spikes and retrofit the anti-slip cleats when needed. Of course, it's also possible to use cleats from the beginning and add additional spikes if the shoe is already on the hoof.
Here's a tip we'd like to offer at this point: When shoeing, consider closing the threaded inserts with a closing plug. This way, the threaded inserts will be protected from dirt already during the first ground contact.
If you choose to use the Snow Edition with spikes but without cleats, it is highly advisable to consistently seal the threaded inserts with a closing plug to shield them from excessive dirt. This helps to maintain the stability of the shoe in the area of the threaded inserts to prevent unwanted pressure on the hoof.
As the name suggests, the Snow Edition has been specially designed for use in snowy conditions. It was designed for those who encounter problems with snow balling up under the horseshoe. We anticipate that the Snow Edition, when used without additional traction devices, may be slipperier than our other models. We strongly advise against using the Snow Edition without additional traction enhancing devices like spikes and cleats. Please always consider our safety guidelines for every use of our products and be aware of the risks when riding in winter conditions.
Horse Cleats - Additional Protection Against Slipping
The Snow Edition provides horse owners with the option to screw in anti-slip cleats into the threaded holes once winter arrives.
Screwing in the horse cleats is quickly done with a matching hex key - provided that you have protected the threaded inserts with a suitable closing plug up to the application of the cleats.
To protect the threaded inserts until the insertion of the appropriate horse cleats, we recommend using our closing plugs.
For a clearer demonstration, we have provided a brief video for you.
Video: Replacing Closing Plugs with Horse Cleats
Spikes - the Tungsten Carbide Pins of a Composite Horseshoe
Our spikes are another way to equip the Snow Edition with additional protection against slipping.
They resemble the tungsten carbide pins on a steel horseshoe and can be screwed into the synthetic material coating using the appropriate adapter. Both the spikes and the matching adapter are available in two different sizes.
Especially when it's very cold, it can be helpful to slightly heat the spike before screwing it in.
Product Specifications
| General Data and Delivery Information | |
|---|---|
| Model | Snow Edition - Clipped and Threaded (M8) Composite Horseshoe to Use With Spikes and/or Cleats |
| Brand | Duplo |
| Manufactured in | Germany |
| Item Numbers | S140, S141 |
| Packaging Unit | sold individually |
| Returns and Exchanges | Possible under certain conditions within 3 months within the European Union (EU). For returns from outside the EU, please contact our customer service. All details can be found under FAQ → Service & Conditions |
| Function and Application | |
|---|---|
| Function | (Alternative) hoof protection, shock absorption, stimulation of the hoof mechanism, winter horseshoe, anti-slide, grip, improved protection against snowballing |
| Riding Styles and Disciplines | The Snow Edition was primarily designed for those facing difficulties with snow balling up. Not intended for extreme stress in disciplines like show jumping, hunting, eventing , driving, skijoring and endurance riding . For these disciplines, we recommend the Jumper. |
| Horse Breeds | among others: Warmblood, Thoroughbred, Quarter Horse, Paint Horse, Haflinger, Icelandic Horse, Arabian, Friesian, Andalusian, Hanoverian |
| Season / Hardness Level | The Snow Edition was designed for use during the cold season and is therefore only available in the slightly softer Standard version. |
| Measurements, Shapes, Sizes, and Weight | |
|---|---|
| Available Shapes | round (usually fits front hooves) / oval (usually fits hind hooves) |
| Size Determination | Based on hoof shape and the widest part of the hoof (after proper trimming), or, if
necessary,
the size of the previous steel shoes. Feel free to use our free template. |
| Sizes (=Width) | 114mm, 118mm, 122mm, 126mm, 130mm, 134mm, 138mm, 142mm |
| Size Intervals | in 4mm steps |
| Length | varies by size – for details please visit FAQ → Sizes and Shapes |
| Thickness | 15mm |
| Weight | depending on the size from 250g up to 380g |
| Material and Construction – Special Features | |
|---|---|
| Plastic Coating | The soft plastic coating has a shock-absorbing effect. The bar made of plastic material can improve the blood circulation of the hoof. |
| Hoof Mechanism | The flexible synthetic material encourages the mobility of the elastic hoof structures. |
| Sole Area | The open sole design offers breathability to the hoof
sole
and the frog
. The Snow Edition provides optimized protection against snow balling. However, we cannot guarantee that snow accumulations can be avoided at all times. Based on the product design, we anticipate that this model should offer enhanced protection against the dangerous snow balling, especially in slushy snow conditions that tend to accumulate and freeze underneath the horseshoe. Of course, in theory, one can never precisely predict what ultimately happens in practice, as various factors come into play. |
| Grip | Fhe Snow Edition should not be used without additional traction enhancing devices in the form of
spikes or cleats. We generally
recommend using 4 mm studs; 6 mm studs should only be used under appropriate ground conditions.
In the
Nordic
countries,
Nordic studs can also be used under suitable ground conditions. Always adjust riding speed according to the ground conditions, especially on slippery surfaces. |
| Knobs | The knobs are impressed into the weight-bearing surface of the hoof wall and help the
nail-on horseshoe keep its position on the hoof. When used as a cast or glue-on shoe, the knobs must be ground down before attaching the cast hooks or before plastic-welding the glue-on tabs to the shoe. |
| Metal Core | The metal core enhances durability and helps avoid unwanted pressure on the hoof. |
| Nailing Slots | The shoe features 6 to 8 nailing slots integrated into the metal core, depending on
size.
The optimal nail size varies by hoof condition and size. You’ll find general recommendations in our shop under hoof nails. |
| Quarter Clips | Quarter clips make nailing easier and help prevent the horseshoe from twisting or slipping
during the regular shoeing period. Be careful to adjust the quarter clips to the hoof angle when shoeing. |
| Shoeing and Customization | |
|---|---|
| Application | nail-on shoe, glue-on shoe depending on the individual hoof and ground conditions as cast shoe |
| Shoeing Instruction | can be found unter FAQ → Instructions |
| Therapy Shoe / Rehab | The model is also suitable for supportive use in the orthopedic and therapeutic field. We expressly point out that our products do not diagnose or cure any diseases and advise for any use with a therapeutic or orthopedic background to work closely with the hoof specialist or veterinarian on site. |
| Customization | Always fit the horseshoe individually to the hoof shape – use an angle grinder, belt
grinder,
hoof nippers, or toeing knife. Advanced modifications (at your own discretion) are possible: narrow, widen, lengthen the shoe or close the sole area; you may also bend or grind a Toe Rocker . We strongly advise against using the Extensions to widen or lengthen the horseshoe, as this can negatively affect the position of the studs and may lead to unwanted pressure on sensitive areas of the hoof. More info available under FAQ → Adjustment to the Hoof. |
| Accessories | among others Wolf Busch® glue-on tabs, , Hoof Sole Protector , wedge , colored stripes, cast hooks, Spikes, anti-slide studs with disc (4mm, 6mm), Nordic Studs, closure plug |
| Safety Instructions | |
|---|---|
| Safety Information | can be found unter FAQ → Safety Information |
| Safety Instructions as PDF Download | PDF Download |
| Risk of Injuries in Herds | minimized risk of injuries in herd situations and in case of irregular movements in comparison to a steel shoe or the sharp-edged border of a bare hoof - please also read our safety information; the quarter clips must be monitored. |
| Spikes and Cleats | We strongly advise against using the Snow Edition without additional traction enhancing devices like spikes and cleats. The use of spikes and cleats increases the risk of injuries. Please observe the additional information regarding stud use in our safety guidelines. |
| Threaded Inserts Embedded in the Plastic Coating | Repeated insertion and removal of the cleats, as well as the accumulation of dirt in the stud holes, can impair the stability of the threaded inserts. When no cleats are used, always protect the stud holes with stud blanks. Avoid repeated stud changes and only use our anti-slip studs with disc to ensure optimal pressure distribution. |
Manufacturer in accordance with the Regulation (EU) 2023/988 on General Product Safety (GPSR)
Manufacturer in accordance with the Regulation (EU) 2023/988 on General Product Safety (GPSR)
Name: H. Frank Kunststofftechnik GmbHElectronic Address: info@duplo-frank.de
Physical Address: Vorderfreundorfer Straße 20
ZIP Code: DE-94143
City: Grainet
Country: Deutschland
Phone: +49 (0)8585/96926-0
Responsible Person in accordance with the Regulation (EU) 2023/988 on General Product Safety (GPSR)
Name: H. Frank Kunststofftechnik GmbHElectronic Address: info@duplo-frank.de
Physical Address: Vorderfreundorfer Straße 20
ZIP Code: DE-94143
City: Grainet
Country: Deutschland
Phone: +49 (0)8585/96926-0