I did it! DIY glue ons after farrier trims

[FjordBCRF]

The SHS Performers have been applied!

Very, very easy application. The only thing I needed to buy was a hot plate to boil the water to set them. Also need a heat gun for the tabs but DH had one of those handy already.

We had one flub, but it wasnt too bad:

We will see how long they hold. He’s out solo in a dry lot and he doesn’t run around like a nut, so those should hopefully buy us a little more in the longevity dept.

I free lunged him in the indoor and he moved great, and was walking even more confidently on the gravel drive than with his boots so I think he approves. I’m going to give him a couple easy days over the weekend to let his body adjust to them, but he gave us a good smile about them

[fivestrideline]

@FjordBCRF

I free lunged him in the indoor and he moved great, and was walking even more confidently on the gravel drive than with his boots so I think he approves.

I have found that my horse likes shoes better than boots. I have some theories, but I had Cavallos and Scoots and they were better than bare. However, ANY shoe has been better than boots, and I think he grows a better foot with composites. The difference has been immediate, so it’s not a case of 24/7 wear of shoes vs part time in boots.

I’ve also (unfortunately, perhaps) realized that my horses seem to appreciate 4 shoes exponentially more than just fronts. Even the ones with good solid feet that aren’t in the process of fixing an issue. I’m not sure if it’s a traction thing or a balance thing (???) but I’ve put hinds on a few that no one thought needed them and WOW what an improvement!

I will point out that it is incredibly rocky AND muddy here, so that may be a factor. The big river rocks can get shifty underfoot, mud is… mud, and I wonder if boots feel unstable vs shoes even if they aren’t obviously moving around on the foot?

I enjoy all the updates and journeys along the way, and have learned a lot from everyone doing this with different setups and goals!

[FjordBCRF]

@fivestrideline

I have found that my horse likes shoes better than boots. I have some theories, but I had Cavallos and Scoots and they were better than bare. However, ANY shoe has been better than boots, and I think he grows a better foot with composites.

I have a feeling this is going to be true for my guy as well. I was wondering with him, because he doesn’t have a ton of concavity, there still has to be some feel with the boot having a flat sole. These have his sole (and most of his frog) off the ground so I wonder if that alone will make a bigger difference for him.

I hope these will work for us with how easy they are to put on. My trimmer gave me a run down of all her nippers so that’s next on my list. She’s fully confident I should be able to keep trimming him myself and is happy to show me my way around with nippers so fingers crossed.

Editing to add - I’m planning to still use his Scoots on his hinds when we ride/drive but am not opposed to trying these on all fours if it seems like it would be helpful.

[Libby2563]

@fivestrideline

I’ve also (unfortunately, perhaps) realized that my horses seem to appreciate 4 shoes exponentially more than just fronts. Even the ones with good solid feet that aren’t in the process of fixing an issue. I’m not sure if it’s a traction thing or a balance thing (???) but I’ve put hinds on a few that no one thought needed them and WOW what an improvement!

I went down a rabbit hole on this recently, and this study made me feel like maybe I shouldn’t keep my dressage horse barefoot behind even though he seems comfortable:

“Hind bare feet, a classic shoeing condition in young horses, increased fore fetlock extension, which could be a predisposing factor for suspensory ligament desmitis.” (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0737080618305057)

However, this recent and pretty comprehensive literature review didn’t find a lot of consistent findings across studies: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/vsu.14162. So I dunno…

[fivestrideline]

That’s interesting! I’ll take the stance that I do on most things: it depends on the horse. I wonder if it’s a sensory thing or something like having different traction and weight to the fronts vs the hinds, and in the case of composites there can be a significant height difference.

I may be doing an all-or-none approach with shoes as a default. I like horses going barefoot whenever possible (if only because it’s cheaper!) but in my limited experience they seem to appreciate being shod all around.

[outerbanks77]

Did anyone see Garrett Ford’s recent FB post on tacking a shoe on with super glue before applying acrylic? It is basically direct gluing by putting super glue on the weight bearing part of the foot, and accelerator on the shoe. Put them together, and voila, shoe is secured in place so you have time to work with your glue, and it won’t shift if set time is longer. This is giving me confidence to move to acrylic once my current stash of Wolf Bush tabs runs out.

[Heinz_57]

I saw that! I don’t have problems with shifting before gluing on the fronts, but hinds (in general) are really aggravating to get set down properly without the foot sliding or twisting, so I’m keeping that in my back pocket should I ever decide to put hind shoes on anyone.

Just a wee rant on my behalf - the package I posted about upthread with the Roller+3D pad, the dang 3D wedge pad is working it’s way backward out of the shoe now even though I heavily superglued it to the shoe itself and the shoe/hoof bond is tight. I didn’t really want to use acrylic to glue it to the shoe because prep and it’s a PIA to remove and a waste of a tip, but I guess I’ll be doing that and re-setting it soon.

[Inimitable]

The rollers have their own wedge pad! You have to order direct from Easy Care, but it’s made for the shoe so no shifting around. I use them on two of my mares.

I also sometimes have a hard time with hind shoes twisting before I glue, so I’m definitely going to do the super glue trick next cycle.

[FjordBCRF]

Well we lost one of the Performers this morning. Last night, two of the tabs unstuck so I ordered all the vettec glue stuff for pickup at Big Dee’s.

BM text this morning it came completely off so I got my gear and faced the learning curve that is glue and tips in the heat and humidity

I think we got it though. My guess is the primer sat too long before we did the adhesive on the first try; the other one seems to be holding pretty good. And if not, I have the tools to stick it back on.

I rode for the first time in them last night and he felt great!

[Heinz_57]

When did those come out? Maybe I just missed them, but I admit to not looking for that sort of thing because I don’t usually order from them anyway. The 3D pads are specifically cut for the rollers, but don’t have the screw holes like the Easy Care ones.

Way to go @FjordBCRF, doesn’t look too messy from here I hope they hold now!

[FjordBCRF]

@Heinz_57

Way to go @FjordBCRF, doesn’t look too messy from here I hope they hold now

Fingers crossed. BM said he must have snuck off dancing

[Inimitable]

I’m not sure when they came out, but they’ve been available since at least last fall when I started using them. It’s the only material I order from Easy Care, so it’s kind of a pain because the shipping isn’t quick, but I’ve learned to plan ahead.

[FjordBCRF]

Ok! Breakover.

I’ve only done two rides in the Performers. The first was before the one came off, and he felt great.

The second was tonight after I reset the shoe (front right) with the glue. His toe on that shoe was a little further out than the left. Tonight, we had a couple trips and a buckle so I rasped it back a bit and will see how he is tomorrow. Minus the trips…he’s much more forward and moving out on the driveway so that’s good at least.

Here’s photos after I rasped the toe back. I think it needs to come back a bit more, but didn’t want to do it all at once.