Plastic shoes, glue-on shoes, half/half shoes

[Beth Worden]

Wanted to start a new thread on this. I want to hear PERSONAL opinions with the glue-on, plastic, etc. shoes. I have used the plastic that nailed on just like a metal shoe and liked them for the particular horse I bought them for. They held up well.

I have friends running standardbreds up and down the east coast that use nothing but glue-on shoes/plastic. I just wanted to get the take on any Trail Riders - and I mean the 1% like me that ride long, fast and hard. Anyone used the glue-on for this kind of riding?

I would really like to use these but my fear is (of course) losing a shoe in the bush and "easy-booting" it home. Also will they hold up in pasture, swamp, mudpits, etc. I have wet land with grave/rocks.

Yes, all the glue-on plastic sites have their propoganda, but I take it with a grain of salt. I need real life experience with these things.

[Pinto Paso]

Ground Control - love'em! red sticky clay no problem, National Park type trails - no problem. We dont do much climbing of steep mountain ragged style trails so dont know. Pavement/asphalt awesome (parades)

Now where did you find the plastic shoes that look exactly like a regular shoe?

I have used the coated shoes but not with glue.

Our solution for the trails is an extra shoe and the quickset glue (small no special gun required pack and sandpaper to prep the foot on the trail)

[Beth Worden]

Pinto - My farrier got the plastic nail-on shoes for me. I will ask him where he got them. I am sure they are still made. This was only 2-3 years ago. All I remember is they were clear color and bright orange! I will see him this weekend.

I have never done the glue thing. I have duct-taped a shoe to get back but no glue. This glue really works, eh? I need to check it out.

If the plastic glue-on or the aluminium/plastic composite shoe would work, I would give em a try. If for nothing more, to get faster footfall/breakover on the beasties. How about slipping? I have flat rock and lots of bridges that can be slick? Do they have like "studs" that can glue on?

[CarolU]

Pinto, where do you get yours? I would be interested in them for parades. I love parades, just not what they do to my horses. I would parade again if I could get a little cushion and grip for them.

[motorgypsy]

I would LOVE to try a plastic glue on. I've been looking for one for years for parades and hard clay for one mare who is a foot slammer to absorb impact. Her feet are like epoxy but she'll get windpuffs if I ride her too fast on clay. Can you get the info on the glueons from the standarbred people???

[cowboy ed]

beth, my mustang did the tevis cup (100 miles in one day) wearing ground control shoes that were nailed on. no problems at all. i havent done glue on.

[Beth Worden]

Ed - yes, no problem with the plastic shoes. As I said I have used the nail-on kind and held up just fine. GLad they held for Tevis - what a rush, yes?

Anyway, the glue??? WOuld it hold. And my other wonder is without the nails, will the hoof "pancake" out? The horse I had them on had pancake/thin walls for feet anyway. Useless feet, but the woman I was training him for loves her horsey and would not consider trading for one with decent feet. LOL

[motorgypsy]

Good question about using plastic shoes for support. It probably depends on the shoe. One that's like silicone - pretty soft for reducing impact - probably wouldn't work well for hoof support. Now the ones that are a full circle probably would be worth a try but not any with a heel opening.

And when you think about function - glue and nails act the same way. A nail on plastic shoes should allow the same pretty much the same flexing as a glue on I would think. I know the nail is through a greater portion of the hoof wall but I can't see how the few nails used would prevent flexing with a flexy shoes. They both bond the shoe to the horse's hoof. I just don't want holes in my horse's hoof unless there is no other option.

[DebbieS]

I would LOVE glue-on shoes for Listo. He is impossible when it comes to nailing on shoes. He's perfect for trimming, but as soon as the farrier (or me) tries any type of 'hammering' sound, he totally freaks and becomes downright dangerous! I normally ride him barefoot and it works great, but sometimes I would like to ride the more rocky areas and am afraid to do it without shoes. My farrier has suggested a calming paste - has used it with other horses.

Glue-on shoes seem like they would be the answer, if they are rubbery feeling. We have some areas that are pure shale (like going downhill on pavement) and I would be afraid of using regular metal shoes on any of that stuff. When the Best of American By Horseback people were here they used borium on the shoes for better grip.

[Beth Worden]

Deb - I hear ya...I always shoe with 2 spots of drill-teck (read borium) on my shoes. Otherwise you would be scraping me off the hill someplace and my horses would be crippled from bad knees. Cheryl told me she goes on one 10 day ride where and she puts shoes on with borium before the ride and 10 days later the shoes are SHOT! That's rough country.

Most all the folks I ride with on a frequent basis use borium. It would be a great alternative to have glue-on plastic with some kind of "stud" or "cork" that you could screw in or glue on or something. I have been looking for years, but nobody seems to have a solution for this.

[Beth Worden]

http://www.eponashoe.com/ - OK Deb I DID find these and they would work - however I have consulted the horseshoes.net site (I LOVE that site) and am told that with wet conditions - that would be my area times 10!!! - that WEEKLY reglueing would be necessary. Now, that is unacceptable for me. I do not want to be rerasping, and regluing a shoe on every week! I guess I will wait for technology to catch up to my style riding.

As for nailing on the plastic shoes...you DO need to set the nailholes deeper because of all the flexing and moving around of the plastic shoe the holes get worked bigger and bigger.

[Pinto Paso]

Bottome of shoe (not traction grid)
http://www.plastichorseshoes.com/clearandblackinfo2.jpg

****NOTE
they do not claim that a glued shoe will hold up and recommend nailing BUT under average riding we have been pleased with the glue.

Here is the info that I saved - will get actual link when I find it

Unique Design
Designed by a horseman, using a farrier’s input every step of the way, you’ll find many features that will change your way of thinking about a horseshoe.

• The lightweight 100% polyurethane shoe has a rolled toe design, which prevents toe stubbing, eases break over and provides your horse with improved movement.


• A recessed nail channel provides multiple nailing options yet keeps the nail from contacting the ground.


• A recessed frog support protects the soft tissue from sharp rocks. Additionally, it stimulates the frog on impact, increasing circulation and improving your horse’s endurance.

• The open areas allow the sole to breathe while also providing easy access for cleaning.


• One unique shape fits both front (Round) or hind (oval) shaped hooves. Simply use hoof nippers on the trim line to remove excess urethane for a custom fit
Questions About Adding Studs
a) What about safety on the ice?
You can add studs to your Ground Control Horseshoes. You can use the same studs as Easyboot uses on their shoes, and you can purchase a pack of them through their web site: http://www.easyboot.com (under accessories). You can also make your own if you add borium to the tip of a bolt and apply with a tee nut.


b) Will Ground Control Horseshoes slip on wet grass?
Ground Control Horseshoes are not cleats. If you would slip on the wet grass with your tennis shoes, then you might slip on the same wet grass with Ground Control Horseshoes. If you know that you will be competing under very slippery conditions, you can drill a few short screws with borium added to the tips on the day of the event to get a very secure grip and then remove them after the competition. Another option is to add studs to your Ground Control Horseshoes. You can use the same studs as Easyboot uses on their shoes, and you can purchase a pack of them through their web site:

Can I use Ground Control Horseshoes in FOSH Sanctioned Events?

FOSH sanctioned events will only allow the use of one innovative plastic horseshoe
in competition during the 2004 show season The innovative plastic shoe that will be
allowed in competition as part of the Pilot Program for the 2004 show season is the
Ground Control Horseshoe. For the purpose of this Pilot Program the only acceptable
shoe (model) is the CLEAR Ground Control Horseshoe. For competition purposes, the
center bar (from the toe to the heel covering the frog of the foot)) of the Ground Control
Horseshoe must be removed. The heel bar (joining the two sides of the shoe) will be kept
intact as the heel bar is an integral part of the shoe. The Ground Control Horseshoe must
be applied in accordance with the Manufacturer’s instructions. The horse may be shod
on all four feet with the Ground Control Horseshoe, or with the Ground Control
Horseshoe on the front feet and barefoot on the hind feet. No combination of plastic
horseshoes and conventional metal horseshoes will be allowed at a FOSH sanctioned
competition. For the purposes of this Pilot Program the Ground Control Horseshoe (as
described above) will be considered a keg shoe and will be allowed in all classes that
allow the keg shoe.

[Pinto Paso]

http://www.plastichorseshoes.com
I order direct ($8/shoe last I ordered)

I get my glue from Jeffers

Adhere Glue-On-Shoe & Hoof Repair BLACK Only

(Vettec) Designed to glue on steel, aluminum and most synthetic shoes as well as for any type of hoofwall repair project. Initial set takes 45 to 60 seconds and a final cure of 6 to 8 minutes. While setting hard with a strong bond, Adhere retains the flexibility at the quarters and heels necessary for gluing on shoes as well as hoofwall repair.
Adhere
Glue-On Shoe & Hoof Repair
The same as the 180 cc cartridge in a self contained syringe/cartridge unit
http://www.jeffersequine.com/ssc/assets/product_images/equine/Adhere-Black-cartridge.jpg

[Beth Worden]

Thanks, Pinto...I will try this on one of my "alternative" riding horses and see how they hold up. If I use this on my paso mare it should work well because she gets ridden very little, but when she does have to work the ground has not changed - it still sucks where she has to walk. I want to get a pair on one of my horses just to see how they stay on in pasture. My horses drink out of a creek and have to walk through mud at least once or twice a day getting to water, even in dry times. If the glue woull hold in this area it would hold about anywhere.

[PattiB]

I've used Adhere with steel shoes. You need clips plus you have to drill the holes larger and add a hole in the heel area. The hoof has to be dried with a heat gun to get it to stick. They didn't hold up well in wet conditions.

[dana]

But how do you get the glue on shoes OFF when a horse needs trimmed or reset?

[Beth Worden]

EXCELLENT question Dana - Why is it that I have little faith in this glue when it does not seem to be a concern to tell people HOW TO GET THE SHOES OFF???? Hmmmmm? Could it be that the shoes fall off, anyway? I don't know....probably if you have a paddock where your horses go rather than a 30 acre pasture with waterfalls and trees and mud, etc the shoes would hold up. But I don't hold out much hope for them lasting under my conditions. Then again...if I just put them on when I was going riding....with this one particular horse. Maybe.

Edited to add - my neighbors - with the standardbred racers - say the shoes fall off after a week or so and that is fine with them, but for me it would not be fine.

[Pinto Paso]

simple nippers and a rasp

http://www.ivis.org/proceedings/AAEP/1999/115.pdf

There are multiple threads at this site

http://www.horseshoes.com/forums/

[PLEASURE PASOFINO]

But how do you get the glue on shoes OFF when a horse needs trimmed or reset?



look into Video, they will show you how

http://www.eponashoe.com/support/HowToApply.htm


Saludos

[Cindy]

Pinto, how long do the glued on shoes last? And would they be feasible to use on a horse with a VERY strong hind end? Like really drivy and quick. Or would they just fly off?

[CarolU]

Pinto, how long do the glued on shoes last? And would they be feasible to use on a horse with a VERY strong hind end? Like really drivy and quick. Or would they just fly off?

Yeah...and if they flew off, would they HURT???? These horses frequently hit the riders (or friends riding with them) with dirt clods! I'd hate to get hit with a shoe!

I do like the idea of glue on shoes....I could do them myself. I do NOT trust myself driving a nail straight...period.

[PattiB]

Cindy, I glued shoes on Paris and they stayed on for a week before he "drove" them off. I ended up nailing shoes on him. My trail horse kept them on for a couple of weeks. The plastic shoes might stay on longer since they are lighter.

[Pinto Paso]

Cindy, my performance stallion (not sure if you ever judged him in his prime) Carnaval de Capuchino has A LOT of drive throws huge chunks of dirt. He did not have very good feet when I acquired him and not much to nail to so we glued on ground control for the frog stimulation bar, not too much riding because I was afraid they would not stick... his feet improved enough that we decided to nail them on the next setting so I could ride but he would get benefit from the shoe - last setting I glued on as his feet are good enough that if he threw a shoe he wouldnt be lame..
Each one has lasted atleast 8 weeks, he threw a plastic shoe each of the first two sets (about 3 days in) as we were learning more about them (rasp, sand and reglue) but usually looses nail on steel a week or so after a show.

If your farrier has not done them before or you are trying it yourself I am sure it will take some practice.

I have not used them on my open contest horses yet but I am thinking about it this year.

I cant say they are for everyone, I dont know - I recommended them to a friend in Canada, she nails on and she loves how the horses move she has not reported any problems (she does her own but is not a certified farrier).

I think technology will get even better and better for this

[Beth Worden]

Pinto - I know my farrier would glue for me. He has done some track horses (glue-on) shoes. Last time I mentioned it he said he did not recommend them for me, knowing how I ride, ground I cover etc. However, he would sure try it if I ask. I wondered also about a horse with strong "rear-wheel drive". My Ice mares really drive that hind-end and as you know, where the front feet go, so go the hind, so leaving the hind feet unshod is not something I would do. I would like the lightness of the plastic because I like the way my horses move barefoot - Yes, "gasp" they are barefoot from November until April and I ride them that way because I have snowcover and don't worry about bruising, etc. but come spring I have to shoe. I realize that like any new technology there will be a learning curb with the glue. I re-set every 5 weeks - TOPS. My horses are on pasture and grow lots of foot so are reshod on a 5 week schedule. I would be happy to get 4 weeks out of the glue job. When my horses lose a shoe it is seldom (almost never) while I'm riding but nearly always in pasture. And, yes, of course I can nail a shoe on and could most likely learn to glue one on but hey, I would rather hire it done. My back needs to be in shape for riding! LOL

[Pinto Paso]

Beth, they may be the answer - it is worth a shot...my original plastic endevor with Paso Finos was because of the weight - then the poor quality hoof. I LOVE them for gait.
Of my 20 horses, very few are shod - I dont have the terrain or the style of riding it sounds like you have. I trail ride a lot and most of mine are fine barefoot in our area. Of course anything competing in events that are hard on the feet I will keep using. I do prefer barefoot but it is not always possible. They did not wear faster than the metal ones for my kind of riding.

[ASB.Immortality]

Around the shows with us you see a fair amount of glued shoes and they hold up pretty well. I am assuming that if they can hold a padded type shoe on, it would be great for a plastic or gel type shoe.

[Cindy]

One problem I have heard is if they DO get pulled off they can take a big chunk of hoof with them. Anyone ever have that problem?

[ASB.Immortality]

I have never seen it pull off toe or anything. Most of the time when we see it, it is used on horses with hoof problems or someone just giving a shoe job a run to see how it will before going permanent.

[motorgypsy]

The Epona shoes sound worth a try.

We had a farrier try the fibreglass method and it was worthless. First of all he didn't know how to do it and said he did so he wasted some very expensive materials. And second of all it used a metal shoes which we don't need and our guys destroy really fast anyway.

[Pinto Paso]

Maybe the kind with the fold over "clips" that glue on the outside of the wall? or if the glue gets pulled up the side of the hoof?

I have not had it happen with the two that came off.. I think there is also a mesh (one metal, one something else) like a window screen that can be put between the shoe and the hoof in the case of a very thin wall etc.

I have had large rips from nails on a metal shoe that pulled though :mad:

[DebbieS]

Thanks, Beth (and everyone who contributed). I think Cheryl goes down to French Creek in Custer State Park (anywhere NEAR Custer is rocky i.e. Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse, etc). That's why I never ride down there. I've got to do something about Listo's problem with shoeing. I thought glueing would be an answer because he is good with trimming and I can boot him (although I don't think those boots would hold up in most riding conditions here). I've used them in grassy fields, etc and they are fine....

Mine are on 40 acres with lots of hills, woods, and rocks. If a plastic shoe would get lost, I sure wouldn't be able to find it :roll: