Oh I’ll check that out! I do need the cradle, as that’s the position that hurts me the most actually. Thanks!
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I found it on a quick google search. I was planning on ordering some stuff from Valley Vet in a few weeks and I might get one. I’ve been dealing with an abscess and having one to set the foot on while I wrap would be a back saver for next time.
Yep that’s the one that I have!
You could try hoof clay as part of your packing also. That’s one thing the barefoot / glue on expert around here uses a lot of.
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With a chainsaw file.
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Update again: I managed to pull the shoes and have him trimmed. Getting those shoes off was a PAIN, but I think I figured it out. The cuffs are more durable than they look 
I don’t have pics of the bottom of his feet, but I now know I’m dealing with a ton of white line separation and he’s desperately laying down sole. This is probably good because his soles were dangerously thin when I started this - it just makes his feet look a little lumpy.
The struggle appears to be that he needs his toes shortened/brought back, but he has barely any sole and goes lame if they take all the wall height down. Meanwhile, his heels have run under but his frogs are still sooooo weak that taking his heels back isn’t good either. Basically all that I know can be done is to roll the walls in front of the white line, slipper the heels, and trim out any laid over bar.
I’m worried about the heels especially. Here are some pics that show the curving hairline and lumpy wall (ignore the shoes, I was test fitting sizes):
His hinds look like this too, but he’s basically walking on his heel bulbs.
He was sound in boots all around between pulling shoes and trimming, but the boots rub his pasterns pretty good… the rubs are a big reason why I hesitate to put him in boots and maintenance trim him weekly as some have suggested 
. I’m probably going to try just front shoes + boots behind for riding and see how that goes. I can always put hind shoes on him if it doesn’t work.
You can almost see the angle his foot WANTS to grow at the top, but the toe is yanking everything forward. I put a really good breakover into the shoes and from my understanding the horse is just going to have to grow some well-connected white line over time, which he will do if we keep the leverage off of his toes.
I have Artimud and soft hoof packing under the shoes, so I’m hoping that will help build his frogs up to where we can take more heel off. I’d really like to see him with nice, healthy feet!
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Does he go lame with a shoe and packing material if you bring the toe and heels back more? You still have too much foot and too much flaring/distortion if you are seeing a junky white line.
You know, I didn’t ask that version of the question
My understanding was that the sole pressure is the problem because there’s not much sole. Taking the wall down to sole level and then putting the shoe on (placed properly) would make sense 
I’ll chat with my farrier again.
ETA: farrier agreed, and will do a more aggressive trim next rotation to try with the shoes!
Dragging this back up - wish me luck. I just took advantage of a dry day and went to town with the prep. Glued on some old Octos to hopefully solve some issues we’re having… fingers crossed they stay on.
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Ooh! Good luck!
I’m still using Equilox and versas to great success. I got 5 weeks out of the last set of 4, and honestly could’ve gone longer (retention-wise, not trim-wise). This was a set that I was running out of glue and BARELY had enough for the hinds, I was being skimpy. Apparently you actually need less glue than I thought!
The key for me has been keeping the glue in the barn fridge (it’s not really COLD, but cool in there), and sanding the crap out of the walls. I imagine that the fridge won’t be necessary in the winter, but rather protection from freezing.
Anyway. For a horse we couldn’t keep nailed shoes on for more than 3 days, I call these a whopping success.
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I’m thrilled to hear they’ve been going well for you!! Good on you for taking the leap, I know it’s daunting. 
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I didn’t want to spend the money on a new set just yet, so trying to make due. The glue was thicker since it’s colder out and I’m half thinking that might have helped. I got good contact with all the tabs, wrapped in plastic to help it cure and a few wraps of electrical tape under tension.
I did get a bit aggressive backing the toe on the foot that runs forward. It was necessary for the fit, but I’m hoping it doesn’t bite me in the butt.
5 years in and I’m calling uncle on fixing those under run heels barefoot. I can’t find the magic sauce, so hoping consistency with the glue ons will help.
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FWIW, I got insane heel (and everything) growth in a single full cycle in the composites. The issue I’m having is finding the best way to remove the shoes for reuse, so the temptation to go too long on a cycle before reset is very real. I think 3-4 weeks would be best, he grew more foot in the composites than he ever has in regular shoes or barefoot.
I can be pretty aggressive with the trim if I’m putting these on, so I’m sure you’ll be okay with the short toe!
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This is encouraging!
I must have gotten the prep right, they’re on there good. Just did an experimental longe and he was happy enough to move forward.
I haven’t re-read the whole thread but has anyone experimented with pads underneath? Not impression material, but actual pads.
Anyone kept them on through winter? Issues with snowballs at all?
Any thoughts on fronts only? Or do you notice marked improvements in movement with hinds as well.
I’m really just on the sidelines here and am totally fascinated with this thread, but I’ve got leather pads under casts for my little filly. It’s all gone very well for her.
I started with casting just the fronts, which made a big difference, but added the hinds too this trim cycle, with even better results. I just have the pads in front. The farrier was pretty stunned at how much heel she grew in a cycle…I’m hoping for the same in back.
I’m super intrigued with using glue on shoes for her, but she’s suuuuuper short coupled and peels off her casts with regularity. It’s a lot less upsetting to lose four bucks in casting material in the field vs a $20 shoe 
Super common. You just screw them in. A lot of people seem to be using Scoot pads, but you can use anything. Another option is to use the plugs (if using Versas, I’m sure others have plug options) and just fill with DIM.
We don’t have snow, but again the plugs are an option. I think traction will be a bigger problem due to the wide web - some shoes allow studs for this. Depends on how often you’re dealing with snow and ice!
Depends on the horse. I personally notice a huge improvement shoeing all 4 - but if I was not riding I think just fronts would be fine. Luckily with glue ons you’re not dealing with nail holes so there is somewhat less risk to just trying hinds for a cycle, especially with proper frog support built in.
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Thanks! We are riding, which is why I’m bothering with all of this… he’s gotten footy in lovely arena footing. The increase in work I think, and his supremely shitty feet just aren’t up to the task. In 5 years we’ve made great strides, but I need to just give up on the idea that he’ll grow enough sole depth barefoot. Plus if I don’t trim for two weeks we lose all progress on his heels. They run forward like they’re trying to qualify for Boston.
I’m giving this a good long try this time. I’ll order some hinds and see if it helps.
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So maybe the horse gods are finally smiling on us…
These shoes are staying on. One tab came unglued and I was actually able to re-glue it. I would have sworn neither of his heels had any contraction, though he is a very classic one-sided high-low horse, which causes untold problems in the saddle. And now that heel is cracking open. So he’s clearly weighting it more appropriately with these suckers on.
These are the 3-D’s because that’s what I had on hand. I’m going to order the Octo’s and swap them out mid-end of November and see what we have going on. I’m pumped.
The first time I tried these shoes they were awesome. Then I don’t know if I just couldn’t get the prep right or what was going on, but every single application after that was a failure. I think I’m just going to have to resign myself to probably needing new shoes either every re-set. But even still, they’re not that expensive since I can do the trimming and application myself.
I really want to get him 100% sorted out so we have a good, long, strong winter of work so we can show in the spring. Fingers crossed this works.
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