Megasus Horserunners + UPDATE -- Barefoot not working on Right Front

[danacat]

It’s been a long, hard road trying to get one of my horses (new guy–OTTB ) to go barefoot + grow healthy feet from the inside out. After 7+ months his LF has transitioned/responded beautifully but RF, due to various issues, will probably not be normal and pain free unless a shoe (of some kind) is put on. My vet and barefoot trimmer both agree with this.

Additional info: Horse is turned out nearly 24/7 – not being ridden yet. He’s sound barefoot on that RF but only on soft ground. If wearing boots he is sound on hard ground. But boots are not a solution for the horse and for me, especially long term; the on/off/on/off almost every day is getting really old!

Options are:

A. Steel shoe (glue on) on RF only – no shoe on LF so it can still stay healthy barefoot.

B. Flexible shoe like the EasyCare Sport. Since these shoes are about a 1/2 thick he’d have to wear one on LF as well.

C. Flexx plastic shoe – https://soundhorse.com/products/flex…flexx-summary/
or other glue on orthotic type shoe with thinner profile just for RF.

All of the above are application intensive + glue isn’t easy in the winter. But I have to choose something. Thoughts? Suggestion? WWYD?

D. Megasus Horserunners are starting to sound pretty good right about now!

UPDATE: Went with EasyCare Sports – twice. Horse did great in them (sound!)_but so much prep work involved to get them on properly (PIA) and they still only lasted 3 weeks or so + came off individually at different times so a boot was needed until new set could be put on.

In hindsight the EasyCare glue on boots the LC’s (Love Childs) would have been a better option and they were my next try.

However, I had ordered a pair of Megasus Horserunners in the interim and they arrived right as Sports bit the dust. Horse is wearing the Megasus right now – I put them on myself and we’re on day three of 24/7 turn-out in these things. Horse is still sound and happy and the contraptions are staying on perfectly. So far! Time will tell how they hold up to being taken on and off etc. + wear and tear.

If anyone is interested in a more detailed explanation of how the Horserunners are fitted and how they work I’ll be happy to post all the ins and outs.

[S1969]

I have never heard of a horse wearing only one shoe - the height difference would seem to be a problem. Not every horse can go barefoot, so I would just put shoes on both front feet.

Why do they need to be glued on instead of nailed?

[stb]

There is a Facebook group called Hoof Rehab Help that is an awesome source of help and information for hoof problems. It is a group for barefoot horses. Lots of good info and options.

[CanteringCarrot]

Keep it simple. Just put two front shoes on.

Why does the horse have to have glue on shoes?

[Simkie]

I agree–just nail on front shoes.

[danacat]

@S1969

[COLOR=#252C2F]Why do they need to be glued on instead of nailed?

Glued – first and foremost – because he’s still got a plethora of hoof pathologies that are better served right now with glue ons rather than nails. The bottom 1/3 of his foot (old damage that is still growing out) is fragile. Secondly, I can’t get an appointment within a reasonable time frame with the best farrier in the area.

Wanted to add: Horse has an old P3 fracture. It’s horizontal, the entire way around the bone. We’re not sure what kind of pain (if any) this might be causing in addition to other issues, but banging in nails doesn’t seem like the way to go. Maybe further down the line nails will be simple.

[S1969]

@danacat

Glued – first and foremost – because he’s still got a plethora of hoof pathologies that are better served right now with glue ons rather than nails. The bottom 1/3 of his foot (old damage that is still growing out) is fragile. Secondly, I can’t get an appointment within a reasonable time frame with the best farrier in the area.

Wanted to add: Horse has an old P3 fracture. It’s horizontal, the entire way around the bone. We’re not sure what kind of pain (if any) this might be causing in addition to other issues, but banging in nails doesn’t seem like the way to go. Maybe further down the line nails will be simple.

OK, so then glue on two front shoes. I’ve used glue-ons before when my mare had broken and crumbly feet. It isn’t as fast as nails, but they stayed put fairly well. I agree that it’s a pain in the winter because it takes extra time to warm/dry everything.

Now that my mare’s feet have grown in well, she just has regular shoes nailed on. It was worth it to do a few cycles of glue at the time, though. With luck, if you do it now, you won’t need to use glue ons through the winter if you don’t want to.

[Simkie]

If he’s comfortable on soft ground now and you’re okay with just leaving him out and letting the foot grow, is there a reason why he can’t stay bare with regular applications of durasole and keratex?

I’ve had horses in glue ons successfully (that farrier used Eponas) and unsuccessfully (that farrier used easy shoes–application was fine, but when the horse removed the shoe, she removed a LOT of wall with it. And there’s the rub with glue ons.)

I’d get an appointment with that “the best” shoer and leave the horse bare with regular application of durasole on the sole and keratex on the wall until he can come out and evaluate. If the horse tells you he can’t tolerate nailing, then explore glue ons, but you’re otherwise seeking out a complex and costly route for no reason. If you do need glue ons, the farrier should dictate which ones. There’s a learning curve, and bankrolling the farrier’s education on the specific shoe shouldn’t be your responsibility. Use what they know.

[danacat]

@Simkie

If he’s comfortable on soft ground now and you’re okay with just leaving him out and letting the foot grow, is there a reason why he can’t stay bare with regular applications of durasole and keratex?.

I wish it was that easy. But here’s what happens:

Horse (not wearing boots) is out with his buddies, they all get the goofies, come racing across the (soft) pasture, hit the sacrifice area which is pretty hard packed stone dust, keep on racing around and horse starts limping badly on that RF. I rush out, put his boots on and he recovers. That night it rains – he rolls in his favorite mud hole and one (or both) of the boots get partially sucked off his foot and he wears it dangling around his ankle all night until he steps on it and wrecks it, or I never find it. I swear some of them have been flung off into the pond and sunk to the bottom. Every annoying boot problem you can think of has happened, over and over.

I’ve gone through bottles of hoof hardener – isn’t helping anymore. He needs to have something between his foot and the ground. Sole Guard would be perfect but his foot is too darn flat.

Luckily my trimmer will be here tomorrow and we’re going to try a pair of the Easy Shoe Sports. Trimmer is an expert at glue ons and she just found a pair in his size, whew!..so we’ll see how he does in them. This application will at least give me time to get the good farrier out to discuss other options going forward.

@S1969 said: Now that my mare’s feet have grown in well, she just has regular shoes nailed on. It was worth it to do a few cycles of glue at the time, though. With luck, if you do it now, you won’t need to use glue ons through the winter if you don’t want to.

Very good point!

[Scribbler]

I agree that you need both front feet treated the same way, or you will cause more problems in balance. Glue on or nails is a judgement call for you and farrier. Is this a glue on shoe or glue on boot that covers the sole?

[Buckshot1]

I’d go B for starters, with an aim to transition to nail-on non steel shoes in future

[Simkie]

@danacat

Luckily my trimmer will be here tomorrow and we’re going to try a pair of the Easy Shoe Sports. Trimmer is an expert at glue ons and she just found a pair in his size, whew!..so we’ll see how he does in them. This application will at least give me time to get the good farrier out to discuss other options going forward.

Sounds reasonable! I thought they were pretty slick. Hope they work great :yes:

[danacat]

@Scribbler

IIs this a glue on shoe or glue on boot that covers the sole?

Glue on shoe – pour in pads (Equi Pak) can be added any time if needed.

@Simkie : I hope they work too. I don’t want to see another boot – ever!

[danacat]

@stb

There is a Facebook group called Hoof Rehab Help that is an awesome source of help and information for hoof problems. It is a group for barefoot horses. Lots of good info and options.

Thanks stb! I love Pete Ramey.

[danacat]

@-Buckshot-

… nail-on non steel shoes in future

A possibility!

[AppaloosaDressage]

Glue on/nail on both front+ equipak + bell boots = happy horse
my farrier also put a squishy pad between hoof and shoe to help with concussion, nail on though.

[Palm_Beach]

@danacat

I wish it was that easy. But here’s what happens:

Horse (not wearing boots) is out with his buddies, they all get the goofies, come racing across the (soft) pasture, hit the sacrifice area which is pretty hard packed stone dust, keep on racing around and horse starts limping badly on that RF. I rush out, put his boots on and he recovers. That night it rains – he rolls in his favorite mud hole and one (or both) of the boots get partially sucked off his foot and he wears it dangling around his ankle all night until he steps on it and wrecks it, or I never find it. I swear some of them have been flung off into the pond and sunk to the bottom. Every annoying boot problem you can think of has happened, over and over.

I’ve gone through bottles of hoof hardener – isn’t helping anymore. He needs to have something between his foot and the ground. Sole Guard would be perfect but his foot is too darn flat.

Luckily my trimmer will be here tomorrow and we’re going to try a pair of the Easy Shoe Sports. Trimmer is an expert at glue ons and she just found a pair in his size, whew!..so we’ll see how he does in them. This application will at least give me time to get the good farrier out to discuss other options going forward.

@S1969 said: Now that my mare’s feet have grown in well, she just has regular shoes nailed on. It was worth it to do a few cycles of glue at the time, though. With luck, if you do it now, you won’t need to use glue ons through the winter if you don’t want to.

Very good point!

I think your “trimmer” is part of the problem. You need the good farrier to do the trim. Or maybe I don’t understand - your trimmer can do glue on shoes but not nail on shoes? Why are you calling one a trimmer and one a farrier?

Nails go into the hoof wall. I don’t know what P3 has to do with nailing on shoes.

You might need to turn this horse out in a small paddock with boots that you can find when they come off. Although by 7 months he should have a pretty good foot. I usually see a big difference in 60-90 days. But I have a fantastic farrier doing my trims on my barefoot horses.

[danacat]

@Palm Beach

I think your “trimmer” is part of the problem. You need the good farrier to do the trim. Or maybe I don’t understand - your trimmer can do glue on shoes but not nail on shoes? Why are you calling one a trimmer and one a farrier?

Nails go into the hoof wall. I don’t know what P3 has to do with nailing on shoes.

You might need to turn this horse out in a small paddock with boots that you can find when they come off. Although by 7 months he should have a pretty good foot. I usually see a big difference in 60-90 days. But I have a fantastic farrier doing my trims on my barefoot horses.

My barefoot trimmer is fantastic at all things trimming, balancing, gluing (non steel shoes), etc – but she’s not a steel, anvil, hammer, nailer. Not her forte. And she is not part of the problem, she is part of the solution.

Horse’s fractured coffin bone might still be an issue. Banging nails into his foot = possible pain. My vet’s words.

Due to demineralization of tip of coffin bone he has poor hoof wall attachment and thus a slipper foot which is growing out but might never be normal. I got him in November so slower foot growth over the winter – but his LF is looking like a very healthy foot. RF still has the look and sensitivities of a lamanitic foot but without the rotation; needs a full year of growth.

Small paddock just so I can find lost boots isn’t an option.

[S1969]

@danacat

Horse’s fractured coffin bone might still be an issue. Banging nails into his foot = possible pain. My vet’s words.

No more than pounding on a hard packed stone dust sacrifice pen - probably less.

Glue-ons can be a solution but I wouldn’t avoid nails because of this. If there is nothing to nail into…well that’s another story altogether. When my TB mare was having issues with crumbling walls, we started with glue ons, then my farrier added a couple of racing nails, and then eventually switched over to regular shoes. The hammering of nails is really not a traumatic event if done by a good farrier.

[JB]

Check out the “leather shoes” from Equicast

http://equicast.com/therapeutic-shoes/eva-leather-therapeutic-shoe/