Help and advice
Questions farriers ask us
Choosing shoes, nails and tools, ordering, delivery, and a bit about us. Search below or pick a topic.
Choosing horseshoes
HMS Concave or Champion Concave: which should I choose?
Both are designed by Billy. HMS Concave is rolled and made in our factory in Ebbw Vale in six sections (18 x 10 up to 26 x 11), so you choose the size and the section. It has a symmetrical, elliptical shape, finished upright heels and a unique bob punch clip. Champion Concave is drop forged, and every size has its own proportioned section, so you only choose the size. It is quick to shape and nail, with generic fronts and hinds sided left and right.
What does a section like 24 x 10 mean?
It is the size of the bar the shoe is made from: width x thickness in millimetres. A 24 x 10 shoe is 24mm wide and 10mm thick. Wider, thicker sections suit bigger feet and heavier work; lighter sections suit smaller feet and finer work. On the HMS Concave page, the Quick order grid shows which sections come in each size.
What is the difference between toe clipped, quarter clipped and side clipped?
A toe clipped front has a single clip at the toe. A quarter clipped front has two clips, one either side of the toe. Our HMS hinds are side clipped. Pick the clip style you normally fit; each is listed as a separate option on the product page.
Can I order several sizes and types in one go?
Yes. On every horseshoe page, scroll to Quick order. You will see every size down the side and every shoe type across the top. Set the quantity for each one you need, for example 3 boxes of size 8 front toe clipped and 2 of size 9 hind, and press Add to basket once.
How many shoes come in a box?
Champion Concave is sold in boxes of pairs; each size shows its box size on the product page (most are 10 pairs). Sport Horse Classic is sold in boxes of 5 pairs. [Confirm: number of pairs in a box of HMS Concave and HMS bar shoes.]
Do you sell bar shoes?
Yes. HMS Heart Bar and HMS Straight Bar shoes are made from our concave section, clipped or unclipped, in a range of sizes. We also stock Alli aluminium heart bar and straight bar shoes. Bar shoes are often used in remedial cases, so they are best chosen together with your vet. See all bar shoes.
Do you sell bar so I can make my own shoes?
Yes. We sell concave bar in 5ft lengths and colour-coded 1.75m lengths, steel and aluminium flat bar in 5ft lengths, and S7 tool steel for tool making. Delivery on bar lengths is £20 for up to 8 to 10 lengths, depending on section size.
What is the Sport Horse Classic?
The original Sport Horse 3/4 fullered shoe. It has been superseded by a newer design, but we still have stock in limited sizes at a greatly reduced price.
Nails
Which Optima nail should I use?
Optima comes in several head styles: E head regular, E Slim, Optima-29 E Slim copper, PH, OX and Crown head. On the Optima page, use the Nail head and Nail size filters to narrow it down. Billy's verdict on the E Slim: “My personal favourite range of Optima nails, brilliant to drive.”
What nail size do I need?
The nail should suit the shoe's nail holes and the hoof wall you are working with. If you are not sure which size fits the shoes you use, call us on 01296 662473 with the shoe and size and we will match it for you.
Is a carton better value than single boxes?
Yes. A carton of 14 boxes works out cheaper per box than buying 14 boxes individually. Choose Carton in the Pack filter to see them.
Do you sell your own nails?
Yes, HMS Road Nails in ESL3 to ESL6, sold in boxes of 100.
Tools and shoe making
Which brands of tools do you stock?
We are the UK home of Andrea Ridolfo tools from Italy, and stock ICAR, Jon Atkinson, Yukon Forge, Double S, Dan Salcito, Todd Walker, Heller, Save Edge, Mustad, Iron Mountain, Lyndon, 3rd Millenium and our own Handmade Shoes range.
Do I need a left or right hand knife?
The hand refers to the hand you hold the tool in. A right-handed farrier usually needs a right hand knife. Many of our knives and clench tools come in both; use the Hand filter on the Knives or Shoeing pages to show only your side.
What is a Billy's Pick?
A product Billy uses and rates. Look for Billy Says on the product page for his straight verdict, or browse all Billy's Picks.
Do you sell spare handles?
Yes, including Ridolfo fuller and turning hammer handles and Jon Atkinson handles. See Spare handles.
What do you have for sharpening knives?
Sisal wheels, polishing mops, sharpening soaps and grinding belts, including 2” Baldor and 4” Huvema belts. See Sharpening.
Do you make your own anvil stands and van equipment?
Yes. Our Forge & Van range is made in our factory in Ebbw Vale: shop and travel anvil stands, foldaway truck and van stands, vice stands and tapping machines, all powder coated for durability. See Forge & Van.
Can I find a product by its code?
Yes. Type the product code into the search bar at the top of any page, for example RIDTHS2, and it will take you straight to it.
Hoofcare and remedial work
What do you stock for remedial and therapeutic cases?
Heart bar and straight bar shoes, frog support pads, sole supports, hoof taps, crack plates, hoof staples and tapes, plus adhesives and impression material. See Hoofcare. For remedial cases we always recommend working alongside the horse's vet.
Which adhesives and pour-in pads do you sell?
3rd Millenium adhesives in 50ml and 380ml with guns and mixing tips, Superflex DIM 20A impression material in three kit sizes, and Mustad Comfortmix hoof pad and hoof repair in 225ml.
I have a difficult case. Can you advise?
Call us on 01296 662473. We know shoeing and will talk you through the shoe and product options. For the clinical side, please involve the horse's vet.
Ordering and payment
Do your prices include VAT?
No. Prices are shown excluding VAT, marked +VAT. VAT at 20% is added at checkout, including on delivery.
How can I pay?
By debit or credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay or Link, all processed securely by Stripe.
Can I order by phone or email?
Yes. Call 01296 662473 or email sales@handmadeshoesuk.com.
Can I open a trade account or pay on invoice?
[Confirm: whether you offer trade accounts or credit terms for farriers and colleges, and how to apply.]
Will I get a VAT invoice?
[Confirm: whether a VAT invoice is emailed with every order, or sent on request.]
Do I need an account to order?
[Confirm: whether guest checkout is allowed.] An account lets you see past orders and reorder quickly.
Delivery and returns
How much is delivery?
UK delivery is free on orders over £250. Bar lengths are £20 per delivery for up to 8 to 10 lengths, depending on section size. [Confirm: standard delivery charge for orders under £250.]
How quickly will my order arrive?
[Confirm: order cut-off time, dispatch days and courier, e.g. orders before 2pm dispatched same day.]
Do you deliver outside the UK?
[Confirm: which countries you ship to and how overseas delivery is charged.]
Can I return something?
[Confirm: returns window, condition of goods and who pays return postage. Link to the Refund and Returns policy once it is published.]
I ordered the wrong size. What do I do?
Call us on 01296 662473 as soon as possible and we will sort it out. [Confirm: exchange process for wrong sizes.]
About Handmade Shoes and Billy
Who is Billy Crothers?
Billy Crothers AWCF is a five-time World Champion Blacksmith and one of the most respected names in international farriery: a craftsman, educator, competitor, manufacturer and innovator. He designs our HMS and Champion shoes and picks the products we sell. Read Billy's story.
What does AWCF mean?
Associate of the Worshipful Company of Farriers, an advanced professional qualification for farriers in the UK.
Where are your products made?
Our concave section is rolled, and our HMS Concave and bar shoes, Forge & Van range and S7 Dragon stamps are made, in our factory in Ebbw Vale, South Wales. The rest of the range comes from makers Billy trusts, from Italy to the USA.
Does Billy run clinics and demonstrations?
Yes. Billy presents clinics and demonstrations on concave shoe making and adapting machine-made shoes, attracting farriers from across the UK and overseas. [Confirm: how to book, or where upcoming dates are announced.]
Does Billy judge competitions?
Yes, Billy is often found judging farriery and blacksmithing competitions, as well as sharing his knowledge with the next generation of farriers.
I can't find what I need. Can you help?
Almost certainly. Call 01296 662473 or email sales@handmadeshoesuk.com and we will find it or tell you who can.
Still not sure? Talk to us.
We know shoeing. Call 01296 662473 or email sales@handmadeshoesuk.com.