natural balance shoeing

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Sags_Deer

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do any of you use it and how effective has it been. thankies.
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Ty had 'balance' shoes put on in the summer as he was quite trippy. I'm not sure if they're the same but they tend to file back the front of the toe a little flatter and the shoe itself is wider....they worked wonders on Ty - he used to trip over his own feet and is so much more foot sure now..... x
 
I have them, mine only have front sets on anyway..my farrier brings his normal shoes and takes the clips off and reshapes them for me each time, so they are his version of natural balance..but they workfor us and do make horses much less trippy if they are heavy on their forehands
 
Mine has NB in front now. He is naturally quite upright, but previous farrier left his toes quite long, so had broken axis. New farrier has done NB to support heels more, and pull toe back without making feet look too boxy. Not any difference in performance, but he managed to keep shoes on for first time out hunting, which to me suggests he is getting feet off ground quicker, and I much prefer to see them shod long in the heel. A good farrier will discuss the pros and cons with you dependant on horses natural confirmation.
 
my loan horse had them coz hes got no heals, but went constanly lame on them, not sure why but owner said he cant have them.

they shoe the hoof more square like.
 
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I have them, mine only have front sets on anyway..my farrier brings his normal shoes and takes the clips off and reshapes them for me each time, so they are his version of natural balance..but they workfor us and do make horses much less trippy if they are heavy on their forehands

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Mine too, G is flat footed and gets long at the toe with normal shoes. The natural balance position put pressure where it should be instead of all at the front stimulating growth at the front and causing more heel problems.

G's feet have improved loads over the past year since being shod like this.

I'd always go for natural balance for any horse now.
 
My horse has had Natural Balance shoes for a few years now, and they suit him very well. The only problem we have found is that they tend to pull off easier in the mud, so in the winter the farrier puts back shoes on his fronts (he is only shod in front anyway) so they stay on better. But I do like the Natural Balance ones. I believe you need a farrier who knows what he is doing with them, though.
 
Mine has NB shoes and is now in the new Leverage Reduction version which are designed to reduce colateral (sp?) ligament damage. Now that I understand the principles of NB I wouldn't go back to traditional if someone paid me and the improvement in my horses performance has been remarkable.

If you want to know more there is a very informative tutorial section on this website: www.hopeforsoundness.com/natbalance/nbguidelines.html

I strongly echo what Marius_Mum says though - you should check what training your farrier has had regarding NB techniques, although they have now brought out a new "idiot proof"
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version called the Cross Fit (I believe) which greatly assists in positioning the shoe correctly to the widest part of the foot.
 
mines in them allround has been in fronts for about 7yrs the only time she went bk to "normal" ones we went lame! did have them behind for a while then for some unknown reason farrier went bk to normal ones and ocassonally put nb ones on (usually when he didnt have right size in normal ones!). anyway in them alround now ans very happy with them. centre shoes are the ones mentioed above makes fitting much easier (we have these on). farrier would be best person to advice upon them though as they are not for all horses and some farriers cant/wont do nb shoes.
 
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