Clinchers, or clinching tongs, are used to clinch or draw down the top of the nail or clinches when shoeing a horse. They were designed for use on horses bothered by hammer and block clinching. Clinchers are of three general types: saddle horse clinchers, gooseneck clinchers and draft horse clinchers. Saddle horse clinchers are designed for use on No. 5 nails and up. The goosenecks are designed for use on smaller nails driven in racing plates and pony shoes. Draft horse clinchers are heavier and have the teeth farther apart than those used for riding horses.

For more information about the horse's hoof, see External Parts of the Horse Hoof and Evaluating the Hoof and Trim Job

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