Discussion on Management question for horse with glue-on shoes
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Kay Frydenborg
Member
Username: Kayfry
Post Number: 10
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, Jul 21, 2004 - 10:31 am: |   |
I have a 6-yr-old warmblood/TB cross gelding, show hunter. We've had a wet spring/early summer and lots of humidity here in southern PA, and his hoof wall recently broke up to the point that my farrier couldn't nail front shoes on him without further damaging the walls and risking the shoes coming off. Patching the hoof wall at his last shoeing didn't really work out, so now my farrier has just put glue-on aluminum shoes on him in front. This was done with the "direct-glue" method (NOT the older plastic tab shoes, or the fabric cuff-type aluminum glue-on marketed by Rob Sigafoose from New Bolton Center). The bonding material is applied directly to the hoof and the shoe is attached with no nails - the glue does extend partway up the outside of the hoof wall, but is sanded off smooth. This seems to be working quite well for farriers in our area, to allow the horse to grow new, healthy hoof, and so far my horse's feet look great. But there seems to be some difference of opinion as to how stringent we have to be in terms of taking care of the horse's feet while he's in these shoes - all of the farriers agree that you can't put any kind of hoof dressing or coating on the hoof walls, as it will damage the adhesive. But they don't seem to agree on the use of fly sprays on or near the horse, and how much water these shoes can handle. Some say bathing the horse is fine and turning out in normal conditions is okay, just avoid standing the horse in knee-deep mud. My own farriers tend to the more extreme approach, which would make it almost impossible to do anything with my horse for the remainder of the show season - baths are a must before most shows, hosing after a work in hot, steamy weather is frequent, and we turn out overnight. Obviously I'll keep him in if the forecast is for a lot of rain, but there are unexpected showers sometimes, and morning dew pretty much every day. Does anyone have any experience with these newer glue-on shoes in damp climates? Any advice greatly appreciated. |
Suzanne Moore
Member
Username: Suzym
Post Number: 409
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, Jul 21, 2004 - 12:15 pm: | |
Yes, my mare had some glue on shoes of the type you describe last winter. This mare foundered 9 years ago and her soles are slightly dropped.
She was having problems with sole bruises this year because we are also having a very wet summer, causing her soles to get soft. This time, my farrier actually made heart bar shoes out of the adhesive material, and that's working even better than using it to hold shoes!
He didn't give me any special instructions either time. In fact, he told me it would be okay to continue applying Venice turpentine to her soles. I was afraid that would affect the adhesive, but he said no.
Hope this helps.
Suzy |
Kay Frydenborg
Member
Username: Kayfry
Post Number: 11
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, Jul 21, 2004 - 8:55 pm: | |
Suzy, thanks very much for this information. That sounds really interesting, the heart bar shoes made out of glue! My farriers said absolutely no on the Venice turpentine - but I think they're fairly new to the glue-ons and are just being over-cautious. My old farrier moved on recently and I'm not real sure of these guys yet. Also, I believe the adhesive they use is the same stuff that's been used for years in human joint replacements - and my husband tells me that once it sets up, moisture shouldn't affect it at all. For now I guess I'll try to compromise - being as careful as I can be about it, within reason, and still letting my horse be a horse. I guess time will tell how that works out - if these shoes will just stay on for 5 or 6 weeks, that's good enough for me. Thanks again. |
