Sure Foot and other foam mats

[KendraLW]

I am always looking for ways to improve core strength, balance, etc in my horses. The Surefoot (and knockoff) pads have always intrigued me. I have a tumbling mat similar to this: https://www.wesellmats.com/products/4-x-8-folding-exercise-mat?variant=41651270156495&currency=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gclid=Cj0KCQjwrMKmBhCJARIsAHuEAPTrLaxnasU2V0GHHakVRhTNfYgd5MWU8FBjeQXOu9ZjBMppzDmUqzcaAjSnEALw_wcB

that I have used as an obstacle for training purposes. I have had both my horses stand on it for a few minutes to see if there would be any effect like many report with the sure foot pads, and absolutely nothing happened. Now I don’t know if this isn’t the right kind of foam, or if you have to do it a few times, or if some horses just don’t have any response but I am debating whether to bother trying some other knock-off sure foot pads (I simply can’t afford the real thing) or if I should just play around with this mat that I already have for a while longer.

[Scribbler]

I googled this and I kind of feel they are over promising on the results. It’s an interesting idea but it’s not going to fix every problem all the time in 15 seconds

[KendraLW]

I agree, but I listen to the Straight from the Horse Doctor’s Mouth" podcast and she swears by them, which shocked me because she doesn’t seem to like any sort of “alternative” therapy products.

[JB]

Sure Foot is in a league of its own. Anything for people doesn’t even come close. It’s not simply about any genetic foam mat, and those types of exercise mats are VERY soft foam, useless for horses.

[Rusty15]

Well I guess I answered my own question. I tried the tumbling mat tonight and my 4yo’s reaction was dramatic. Swaying, shifting weight, acted like he was in a trance. I had to drag him away after several minutes because he didn’t want to get off. When I had attempted it previously with my other horse there was no effect so I guess it was just him and not the mat. I am definitely going to incorporate this into our post exercise routine and see if we notice any changes!

[Feathered_Feet]

That hasn’t been my experience - I have some human exercise mats that I use and they work great. The ones I have are a bit squishy, but they are far from useless. The hooves sink in maybe a cm or two, but there is still plenty of bounce to them. I have used both the brand name (firms and mediums) and knock-offs and never noticed a difference (assuming your knock-offs are not too soft, obviously). I don’t know that you’ll find knock-offs that are equal in density to SF’s “firm” pads, but you can definitely find soft/mediums. For someone concerned about price, there are knock-offs that will be totally fine substitutes.

OP, in my experience, the horse has to learn that the point of the exercise is to stand on them, and that they feel good. This can take a few sessions. I’ve had good luck with doing a little Masterson method/whatever body work your horse likes to get them to relax into it.

(But I agree with Scribbler - it’s not going to solve much in the way of problems, but it’s a nice way to help the horse relax and start to let go of tension, much the way I might stretch at the end of a long day.)

That being said, OP, I’m surprised the tumbling mat you have worked. That does seem too squishy. I bought two of these and cut them in half: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NYVPC9X/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Kyrabee]

I have one set of Surefoot pads (firm) but cannot afford to replace them when the are deceased. I was amazed how fast the top layer tears. I have an average sized horse with smaller feet and she is barefoot? I get it. Horses are large and heavy but they started tearing from the get go. I still use them. The core foam is still intact but I was a bit surprised how quickly they started looking like heck (they wouldn’t replace them after the top layer tore on the second use). No she wasn’t stomping around on them. She loves them.

One of my barn mates at my last barn had a gym pad and it worked great for her. She had one that folded and she often used it folded to compound the effect like using multiple SF pads. She used it a lot and the cover was holding up great.

I will replace my Surefoots with a gym pad when they are past their usefulness.

Susan

[victoriakent]

I tried some knock-offs before with my mare. You would have thought I was asking her to stand on lava - dramaaaa. We own a sports performance company so I am always experimenting with human activities on my mare. If I can smuggle some larger mats out of our gym without my SO noticing I am going to give that a try so she can’t dance around them as easily.

[Horsecrazy3]

I’ve been using them the last 5 yrs. They work, but it isn’t an instant fix. All my horses have made changes in their posture for the better. A number of rehab specialists in the US and Europe are using them. All my horses love to be on them and they are all free to step off at any time. It’s important to not let them stay on them more than 10 minutes. Has something to do with how the nervous system resets itself and affects the postural muscles.

[KendraLW]

Ok I’ve now used the mat twice. Both times he had a lot of swaying, shifting his weight, and deep relaxation and releases. The second time he calmly walked off after 5-6 minutes and stood next to it with his nose almost in the sand just relaxing. Could be total coincidence but he was MUCH more forward than usual the next day. I’m not really trying to “fix” an issue, just helping develop a healthy posture and relaxation. He has PSSM so needs all the help he can get in that department.