I can’t believe it’s that time again already. The new shoe for the Calgary Mail-In Shoeing Exercise is here.

A Useful Shoe

This year we’ve got a very useable shoe. The toe cap shoe can be used to strengthen a portion of the hoof in the instance of cracks or damaged horn. It can be used to stabilize the foot if you are dealing with a traumatic injury such as a fractured coffin bone. It can also be used to protect a hoof from uneven wear when you have a horse dragging its foot. It will be a handy weapon to add to your arsenal, and it is not very difficult to make.

This particular shoe was made from 1/4-by-1-inch stock, as it was for the actual Word Championship Blacksmiths’ Competition. You may find it easier to make from 1/4-by-1 1/4-inch stock. Mine measures 135 mm by 135 mm, and is punched for 6 MX50 nails. It appears to be a left front.

Getting Started

Begin with an 11-inch piece of 1/4-by-1-inch stock. Mark the stock 1/8-inch off center, then mark the beginning of the cap 1 3/4-inch from the center. Use an anvil devil (Figures 1 and 2) to make these marks on the edge of the stock. This will let you easily find them when the metal…