sole protection pads

ester

ester

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these look interesting/I've not seen it as an option developed elsewhere. I'm a bit curious whether they maintain/effect frog contact with the ground on a well transitioned hoof. I'd maybe be a bit worried it might descend into the space and then end up proud without the pad. Was interested in others thoughts :)

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I'm really glad you posted this as I've just seen these on fb and was wondering if they'd help my horse. I'd love to know how well and how long they stay on and, as you say, if they allow good frog contact. If they work then they look like a great step forward. I'd love just slightly more sole protection while still engaging the frog and not having to fit boots. They would also need to be comp legal.
 
I can't imagine they would stay on very well on flat feet, or horses that have tendency to twist their feet on landing. Or in mud.
 
Also interested. One of my (non-ridden) ponies has very thin soles and gets footy on hard ground. She seems to be struggling a bit already on the track to her field (though not coming back, maybe because the harder ground is on a downhill going there and uphill coming back?) so I've been putting hoof boots on her fronts for the last few days, just for the 5 minutes' walk there in the morning. Would love a solution that potentially makes her more comfortable all round all the time. I know very little about hoof boots though, as she is the only one I've ever used them on, and it's only ever been for the short walk.
 
Beausmate said:
I can't imagine they would stay on very well on flat feet, or horses that have tendency to twist their feet on landing. Or in mud.
Click to expand...
they do say they've been well tested in 24/7 mud over this winter. My concern with flat feet might be that they push more sole loading than it can cope with. Would def be interesting to see if they alter sole depth over time. Twisty horses are always problematic.
 
They look interesting.
There is a comprehensive video showing how to apply them and they do look like they are well fixed but I suppose a lot relies on the glue!

I thought they'd be good for days when I need more protection, so fun rides or days when I know we're going on rougher terrain.
If they last longer afterwards at home I'd take that as a bonus rather than expected.

I don't see why they wouldn't be competition legal as they aren't boots. And glue on shoes are fine which these are more similar to.
 
Matafleur said:
I've been using hoof armour and while I'm finding it quick and easy to apply, I'm not convinced it giving much/any protection?
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Shame, I've had a lot of success with it reducing wear on mine. I think it needs to be used to allow the horse to grow thickness under it when the horse tends to wear hooves too much.
 
Gloi said:
Shame, I've had a lot of success with it reducing wear on mine. I think it needs to be used to allow the horse to grow thickness under it when the horse tends to wear hooves too much.
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Ah ok, I've been hoping it will reduce sensitivity. We don't have an issue with wear (mostly arena work) but we are struggling with little stones and very flat feet.
 
Matafleur said:
Ah ok, I've been hoping it will reduce sensitivity. We don't have an issue with wear (mostly arena work) but we are struggling with little stones and very flat feet.
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I don't think it would be a bad thing to keep on with it now you have it. The cost isn't much once you have the applicator and it does help keep little stones from getting in the white line.
 
@Matafleur ours sound similar.
We're using Hoof Armour but we have flat feet and thin soles, rather than excessive wear.
I like the Hoof Armour for stopping stones in the white lines but I don't think you could ever build enough layers to really protect a thin sole.
I am also walking out in hand on smooth tarmac a few times a week but tbh feeling a bit despondent!
 
millitiger said:
@Matafleur ours sound similar.
We're using Hoof Armour but we have flat feet and thin soles, rather than excessive wear.
I like the Hoof Armour for stopping stones in the white lines but I don't think you could ever build enough layers to really protect a thin sole.
I am also walking out in hand on smooth tarmac a few times a week but tbh feeling a bit despondent!
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Yes, agreed, I do like the hoof armour but I was hoping it might stop him being a bit footy. I've tried taking him barefoot before but put the shoes back on as felt he was never entirely comfortable. I got excited this time as he was so comfortable when the shoes first came off, walking out great, not avoiding stones etc. This trim he is back to being sensitive again 😭.

Mine has long pasterns and his heels underrun in shoes. I was told to either pad him in shoes or take shoes off. His hinds are brilliant, never shod, never a problem.

How often do you apply the hoof armour? I tend to do 2 coats after trimming and then maybe one or 2 during the rest of the cycle. Maybe I need to do more?
 
There's also this option
totalfootprotection.co.uk

Vettec Sole-Guard 210cc

Vettec Sole-Guard™ 210cc Sole-Guard is designed for use without shoes and stays bonded to the feet for 2-3 weeks of light riding.
totalfootprotection.co.uk totalfootprotection.co.uk

Or this

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But I can't seem to find many reviews on either!
 
Matafleur said:
Yes, agreed, I do like the hoof armour but I was hoping it might stop him being a bit footy. I've tried taking him barefoot before but put the shoes back on as felt he was never entirely comfortable. I got excited this time as he was so comfortable when the shoes first came off, walking out great, not avoiding stones etc. This trim he is back to being sensitive again 😭.

Mine has long pasterns and his heels underrun in shoes. I was told to either pad him in shoes or take shoes off. His hinds are brilliant, never shod, never a problem.

How often do you apply the hoof armour? I tend to do 2 coats after trimming and then maybe one or 2 during the rest of the cycle. Maybe I need to do more?
Click to expand...

We went down the whole she-bang of pads, graduated heels, ended up in full heartbars with full pads and still taking the occasional 'off' step 😥 this was with a remedial farrier and shoeing under vet supervision.

Barefoot we are sound but sensitive on harder ground, stones and sometimes on wax surfaces.
Same as yours, back feet are fine. Lovely concave shape, good angles and no sensitivity.

We put hoof armour on straight after trim and then try to do another layer each week for 2-3 weeks. So 3-4 layers overall if that makes sense.

I'm looking into potentially moving into glue on shoes or composites but I'd like to try some of these halfway house options first.
One for cost and two because I worry about undoing all of the good work we've done on foot balance as soon as we put a shoe on- whether nailed or glued
 
millitiger said:
We went down the whole she-bang of pads, graduated heels, ended up in full heartbars with full pads and still taking the occasional 'off' step 😥 this was with a remedial farrier and shoeing under vet supervision.

Barefoot we are sound but sensitive on harder ground, stones and sometimes on wax surfaces.
Same as yours, back feet are fine. Lovely concave shape, good angles and no sensitivity.

We put hoof armour on straight after trim and then try to do another layer each week for 2-3 weeks. So 3-4 layers overall if that makes sense.

I'm looking into potentially moving into glue on shoes or composites but I'd like to try some of these halfway house options first.
One for cost and two because I worry about undoing all of the good work we've done on foot balance as soon as we put a shoe on- whether nailed or glued
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It's so difficult isn't it?! I did send the video of the pads to my farrier who said he didn't see the difference between that and some glue mixed with rubber. There are so many things that I didn't even realise were an option tbh!

I wonder if those glues you've linked above fit the hoof armour gun?
 
Very interested.
Pony has never had shoes, but we do a lot of roadwork - not through choice.

Defo feeling her feet, this may be the answer. Hoof armour helps a little bit but enough.
 
JenJ said:
Also interested. One of my (non-ridden) ponies has very thin soles and gets footy on hard ground. She seems to be struggling a bit already on the track to her field (though not coming back, maybe because the harder ground is on a downhill going there and uphill coming back?) so I've been putting hoof boots on her fronts for the last few days, just for the 5 minutes' walk there in the morning. Would love a solution that potentially makes her more comfortable all round all the time. I know very little about hoof boots though, as she is the only one I've ever used them on, and it's only ever been for the short walk.
Click to expand...
Yes, same. My farrier gave me Durasole which made him infinitely more comfortable and has sorted out a CS issue - it's far easier to apply than hoof armour but I noticed yesterday that it's almost created a false sole and that is now flaking off revealing new sole and he's very sore. So have resorted back to good old Keratex. Mine is much better in hoof boots but doesn't help when the girls put him out or bring him in some nights.

I saw imprint shoes on another thread and tempted to ask my farrier if he does these. I can't use regular shoes as it aggravates his arthritis and ruined his feet (then again, I have a different farrier now who has completely transformed his feet. But I see a horse on the yard who moved into shoes almost a year ago and I'm noticing his feet don't look particularly great....different farrier though)
 
millitiger said:
@Matafleur ours sound similar.
We're using Hoof Armour but we have flat feet and thin soles, rather than excessive wear.
I like the Hoof Armour for stopping stones in the white lines but I don't think you could ever build enough layers to really protect a thin sole.
I am also walking out in hand on smooth tarmac a few times a week but tbh feeling a bit despondent!
Click to expand...
This was my problem last year. Hoof armour was good for the white line and sorting out a CS issue (same foot as mentioned with the Durasole which has also done a fab job) but not nearly enough protection for my thin soled boy on the actual sole. There was a difference after a few applications but not enough IMO and I found it a PITA when the weather was super wet. Tbh I had more luck with Keratex on the sole and either HA or Durasole for the frogs and white line.
 
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