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View Full Version : Nolan Hoofplates


waynevuolo
04-17-2005, 09:23 PM
We have recently seen results of the use of Nolan Hoof Plates on several horses with differing hoof problems. One horse, despite good trimming by a very skilled and experienced farrier, has had cronic problems with cracks and splits in all of it's hooves for the last 5 years. My friend who has this horse heard about this Nolan Hoof Plate and decided to try them last fall. In January he removed the hoof plates from all four hooves and what we saw were some pretty nice feet, better than this horse ever had for sure. Last week (April 8th) I went back to look at this horse again and it's feet still looked really good and it hasn't had any further problems with cracking. The farrier and vet there also said that this horse has somehow developed some of the strongest hoofwalls they've ever seen. What is this device and why does it seem to work so well.

I only say this because we've learned that someone else we know has used these plates for both stablizing the hoofwall following a dorsel resectioning on one horse and then also used it for their brood mare with split feet early this past winter. The brood mare also had a very deformed hoof and they were splayed as well. They also put on Nolan Hoof Plates on each of these horses and they got excellent results too, they said. The owner told us that the horse that was resectioned was then fitted with the hoof plates and later grew nearly three quarters of an inch of hoof every month and we found out that the mare also grew over a half inch of hoofwall length each month. The mare owner also said that the deformity of the front hoof of his mare grew out completely and was now nice and straight (no more splay) after his horse had the hoof plate on for nearly four months. Their farrier also told us that the new hoofwall had not only become straight (on the mare) but he noticed that the hoofwall was much thicker and firmer than he has ever seen on this particular horse. He said he was surprised at how well this plate seemed to have worked and said he wasn't even feeding it any extra hoof supplements or doing anything else to the horse that was different than what they had been doing for several years.
So, can anyone tell me really why this Nolan hoof plate is working as well as it does? I thought they we're a bit expensive at first, (both farriers charged $120.00 to put each of the plates on and cover them with equilox adhesive material, but now we feel that this may be a bargain if they can provide such consistency and give horses these results) but now I'm convinced, like our friend, it's probably worth doing especially since the hooves seem to stay so good (so far at least). It's nice to see a product this effective, but we still can't figure out why they work. Anyone else out there using these yet or know why they work?

Gary Hill
04-18-2005, 08:26 AM
I have used cut up alum cans to help stabilize cracks in the past. Used little screws to hold them to the hoofs. They helped to hold the cracks closed but the hoof growth has nothing to do with these plates. Good circulation is the number one factor with good hoof growth and of course as a horse shed's winter hair the feet will pickup and grow faster. Good Luck! Gary

George Geist
07-28-2006, 05:37 PM
Just got an advertisement in the mail today concerning these things. Some of the claims seem quite outlandish.

Any of you guys have any experience with them?
George

e decker
07-28-2006, 06:07 PM
I listened to the inventor at the Horsepark last year. The older brother (inventor) did not impress me. I was willing to try them but expressed my concerns about nor wanting to drive nails in an acutely lamintic horse. I was wondering if I could leave out the nails and just use the wood screws and glue.

The guy proceeded to tell me that I just needed more skill in driving nails. I told him not wanting to use the nails because the horse was in so much pain I didn't feel it would be benificial to go pouding on his foot.

He could't grasp that concept and said he would come out and nail it up for me and show me how to do it.

I eventually tried to use some of the free samples he handed out but ended up cutting the dogpile out of my hand in the process and threw them out.


That said; Dr. Redden advocates the use of casting horses for transport to his clinic and noted how much more comfortable the horses seem after being cast which could be simulated with the hoof plate.