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The Advantages of Concave Shoes
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Increased Traction an all terrain |
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Lighter than equivalent section of flat shoes |
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Flexible nail placement |
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Vast range of section sizes offering versatility of shoe
styles and uses |
Increased Traction
Because the inside edge of the profile is sloped, more grip is produced. The concavity of the sole of the foot is enhanced which decreases soil congestion. Fullering from heel to heel also gives increased traction.
Weight
Concave shoes are lighter than the equivalent section of flat shoe.
For example; 11” (279 mm) of 3/4 x 3/8 (20 x 10mm) concave weighs 300 grams. 11” (279 mm) of 3/4 x 3/8 (20 x 10mm) flat bar weighs 450 g. Flat bar is approximately 50% heavier than concave. With this weight advantage, it means that more cover can be given without the shoe being too heavy. For example; for the equivalent weight of 20 x 10 flat, 22 x 10 or 25 x 10 concave can be used. Increased traction can be gained by applying a thicker, narrower shoe without weight increase; For example for the equivalent weight of 20 x 10 flat, 20 x 11 or 20 x 13 concave can be used.
Nail Placement
Nail placement is flexible with concave . Nails can be punched coarse in the inside edge of the fullering with pitch (angle), or even in the concave edge of the profile when making a lateral extension. Nail holes can be punched fine, by moving the nail punch to the outside edge of the fullering with a more upright pitch (angle).
Ease of Shoe Making
Concave is easy to turn from straight bar. Most of the work is done in the manufacture of the profile and fullering and therefore requires very little forging. It can be difficult to turn at first because it twists very easily (especially the broader sections). Once this is overcome with technique and practice, concave shoes are quick to make and very versatile.
Range of Sections
There are 16 different concave sections rolled in the U.K.
| Imperial |
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Metric |
| 5/8 x 1/4 |
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16 x 6 mm |
| 5/8 x 5/16 |
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16 x 8 mm |
| 5/8 x 3/8 |
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16 x 10 mm |
| 5/8 x 7/16 |
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16 x 11 mm |
| 3/4 x 1/4 |
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20 x 6 mm |
| 3/4 x 5/16 |
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20 x 8 mm |
| 3/4 x 3/8 |
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20 x 10 mm |
| 3/4 x 7/16 |
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20 x 11 mm |
| 3/4 x 1/2 |
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20 x 13 mm |
| 7/8 x 3/8 Light |
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21 x 9 mm |
| 7/8 x 3/8 |
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22 x10 mm |
| 7/8 x 7/16 |
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22 x 11 mm |
| 7/8 x 1/2 |
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22 x 13 mm |
| 1 x 3/8 |
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25 x 10 mm |
| 1 x 7/16 |
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25 x 11mm |
| 1 x 1/2 |
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25 x 13 mm |
All of the above sections are available in bags of pre-cut steel (30 lengths per bag – various sizes available within each section)
Click here for size chart
Steel is also available in 1.75 metre lengths or 4-5 metre lengths.
Handmade Shoes UK Ltd manufactures from the following 8 sections:
| 5/8 x 3/8 |
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16 x 10 mm |
| 3/4 x 5/16 |
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20 x 8 mm |
| 3/4 x 3/8 |
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20 x 10 mm |
| 3/4 x 7/16 |
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20 x 11 mm |
| 7/8 x 3/8 Light |
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21 x 9 mm |
| 7/8 x 3/8 |
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22 x 10 mm |
| 7/8 x 7/16 |
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22 x 11 mm |
| 7/8 x 1/2 |
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22 x 13 mm |
| 1 x 7/16 |
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25 x 11mm |
Concave shoes are suitable for most breeds and types of horses. Concave is suitable and advantageous for most equine disciplines, including:
Eventing
Show Jumping
Dressage
Polo
Racing
Trotting/ Pacing
Driving
Cross Country
Endurance
Team Chasing
Western
Reining (not suitable for hind shoes on sliding horses.)
Like any other style of horseshoe, concave is not suitable for all breeds of horse or all equine disciplines. Each horse should be assessed individually, then the most suitable shoe style should be selected.
Concave is suitable for making many different remedial and everyday shoes, including:
Straight bars
Heart Bars
Egg Bars
Lateral Extensions
Trailers
Medial Lifts
Rolled Toes
Set Toes
Side Clipped
Toe Clipped
Raised Heels
Improved Break-over
Onion Heels
Stud holes
Fitting of Tungsten Pins
Top competition riders have acknowledged the improvement in performance of many of their horses that are fitted with concave shoes. This has been attributed to the traction and lightness that the concave profile section provides.
Handmade Shoes exclusive products:
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