Wagon Train Paso Fino

[larissak74]

The farrier visited today and put shoes on my horse. I just got an invitation to ride in a wagon train AFTER the shoes were on him. Is there anything I can apply to the shoes (while on my horse) to prevent slipping?

Larissa

[Double C Forge]

Larissa I do not know of anything myself. Borium, drilltek, screw in corks are all forms of traction but do have to be applied prior to nailing the shoe on.

[larissak74]

Can I take the shoes off this weekend and then put them back on with the borium or drill-tek?

Larissa

[Double C Forge]

I would have to say no, since you had your farrier out to shoe your horse. But I guess that would depend on your skill level and tools at hand. Borium needs to be applied to the shoes w/ the use of an oxy-acetylene torch and drilltek can be applied in the same fashion or w/ use of a forge.

[calshoer]

What you could try (very expensive though) is to fill the entire bottom of each foot with Equipack sole support. It is rubbery and should provide more traction against the pavement . It adheres to the sole somewhat so it may stay in, IF the frog was not pared too clean. Ragged frog edges help hold it in. Dirt gravel and such can also imbed in the sole material, adding more friction. It may not stay in the whole ride, but if you keep an extra tube and some tips , you could replace it.
Your best bet for the money though is probably to call the farrier to pull the shoes and add a litle borium. Patty

[Rick Burten]

Rather than pulling the shoes, adding drill tek, etc, you could have you farrier come back out, pull acouple of the nails in each shoe(usually the third nails on each branch) and put in a couple of "ice/mud nails"(those with some drill tek applied to the head). there are some commercially available nails that fit this demand, and it would take just a little bit of time to add them.

Alternatively, instead of even removing any nails, the farrier could just tap in a couple of heel nails to do the job(I don 't like nails behind the widest part of the foot, but short term, they would do little to no harm and could be easily removed after the ride is done).

one other alternative, if you have a quite, good standing horse, is just to carefully drill some holes in the shoe while attached, and add some drive in studs to each foot. This would not be my first choice, but can be done.

Rick

[larissak74]

He's a GREAT standing horse so drilling at this point sounds like my best option. Where do I get the studs? I have a friend that is a farrier who will come out and oversee this project.

Everyone has been so helpful. Thank you!!

Larissa