Shoeing The Multi-Purpose Quarter Horse (cont'd) A lot of important things might seem insignificant on any given day. "But a year down the road, they can have a big impact on the horse," he says. According to Dorris, clips have become popular. "Everybody has forges and pulling clips is something we all work at and we're eager to find new ways to make better clips," he says. Still, he won't use clips on a narrow-footed horse unless absolutely necessary. "If I had to use them, I'd use quarter clips, not side clips," he says. "I'd stay out of the sides of the foot." When Dorris shoes, he likes a real bold or semi-square toe. "I move the breakover point back on some horses if it will make it easier for that horse to perform and enhance his natural movement," he explains. Some farriers have used compromise shoes for so long that they tend to leave a narrow toe. "I like a good, bold toe on all the feet," Dorris adds. Forget The Gimmicks He doesn't like gimmicky trimming or shoeing.

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