This is the first shoe we are going to make for the shoe display.

Cut five pieces of 5/16-by-3/4-inch bar stock, 14 inches long. By making at least five shoes, there is a good chance that you will have one that is worthy of your display, and the rest can probably be used in your business.

With this shoe we will fulfill the following requirements for the shoe display:

• Bar shoe
• Plain stamped nail hole
• Rolled toe
• Quarter clips

After this shoe is complete, there will be nine items left to finish the display.

As mentioned in the introduction of this series, most examiners like the shoes to be functional. Many will ask questions about the application of the different shoes that you present. It is important that you are ready with answers. 

If asked about the function of this shoe, I would answer:  A bar shoe is generally used when the farrier is trying to stabilize the hoof capsule. This can be helpful when dealing with horses that are lame from everything from fractured coffin bones to bruised soles. The clips are on the shoe to help it stay on as well as increase the stabilizing effect of the bar shoe.

To increase this effect, a farrier may sometimes move the clips further back on the shoe. A rolled toe is on this shoe to help with breakover. Since this horse is dealing with a lameness, anything we can do to help breakover is a good idea. I very…