Similar to our own sports shoes, composite shoes are flexible, and allow the foot to expand and flex, while also providing protection and support. I don’t see composites as a replacement for traditional metal shoes - the philosophy is quite different. My goal is for horses to be sound on their own bare hooves but for some horses, they help to get there. Composites can be very helpful for horses with hooves too weak or broken to go barefoot, or for healthy barefeet that need extra protection for performance.
The goal is always to have a horse with healthy, functional bare hooves, but many horses have hooves that are simply too damaged or poorly developed to cope barefoot without support. Composites can help the horse transition to barefoot, introducing the hoof to movement and flexion, while still providing protection, to grow stronger, healthier hoof and develop internal structures before the horse goes barefoot (usually with the aid of boots).
Unlike boots, gluing means that the shoes can be on 24/7 for the full trim cycle, providing comfort and support to weak hooves. Improving the horse’s comfort and functionality stimulates better growth and development of inner soft tissue structures. The shoes can be used for back to back cycles while the hoof is rehabed.
Glue doesn’t leave behind nail holes, in fact hooves come out of composite shoes better than when they went in, so composites can be used for a single cycle while the horse competes or goes on a big ride, and then come off so the horse can return to barefoot without the “transition”.
Performance Shoes
Performance shoes are for horses with healthy hooves, who just need some extra protection, support or concussion absorption. Great for working on harsh surfaces or for joints that need some extra care on hard ground.
Various types of performance shoes glue to the hoof wall with a cuff. These shoes have so many uses, from endurance and trail riding to dressage and jumping. Being below the hairline, they are legal for competition.
If they are simply glued on they can be used just for your competition and then removed, allowing your horse to go barefoot again, or they can be set up to stay on for the full trim cycle.
If shoes are staying on for the full trim cycle the hoof is prepared with antimicrobials and impression material is used under the shoe to keep out dirt and support the whole foot.
The horse’s behaviour and the work area need to be extremely good for this shoe application, glueing can only be done in dry, clean conditions. The shoes or boot shells can be used multiple times if removed carefully.
Rehab Packages
Rehab glue on packages are fantastic for helping weak or broken hooves. For hooves that are yet too weak to go bare, these shoe packages provide comfort, while supporting the hoof and stimulating healthier growth.
With rehab shoes, I can build depth of foot for thin, shallow soles, create heel height for low under-run heels to realign the boney column, and grow out cracks, seedy toe, or nail holes. They can also provide comfort for laminitic horses and ponies, relieving the hoof wall and distributing the load over the sole and back of the foot.
By using a cast, rather than just glueing with cuffs, a lot more heel support can be built in for weak or collapsed heels, helping to realign the hoof pastern axis and bring the base of support back under the limb.
Rehab packages use a composite shoe, impression material to provide support to the entire sole and disperse load and impact absorption, glue for adhesion and to build “hoof” and casting to aid in retention and support. Antimicrobials are sealed in underneath the shoe package to prevent and treat thrush.
This shoe set up is suitable for turn out, riding and they are legal for competition (at least the black ones are, but pink and other colours are fun for kids - older “kids” too!). Behaviour and environment are not quite so crucial as for performance shoes, making this set up more user friendly to apply to sore horses. The shoes themselves can be used many times.
Casting
Casting creates a custom “shoe” for hooves of any size and shape, it is an excellent tool for providing protection and comfort “on the fly”.
This is very useful for horses coming out of shoes, easing the transition out of metal and supporting the integrity of the hoof while nail holes grow out.
Casts can also be used to help treat seedy toe and thrush, thin soles, cracks and more. Impression material is used underneath the cast to provide some cushioning and load dispersal, as well as protecting the heels from the cast. The hoof is prepared with antimicrobials to prevent and treat thrush.
Casting is only suitable for horses on restricted turnout on the flat, or in a box or yard, it is not suitable for riding.
