Shoes or other foot protection for minis

[2LILEQUI]

Hi Everyone,

This is my first post and I have searched the website hoping it'd been covered before but I haven't been able to find anything on my question. Hope this is the right place to post this.

I am curious if there are any farriers or other resources who have designed shoes small enough for minis or other protection for their feet. I am not looking for any type removeable appliance like an Easy Boot or anything like that but an actual shoe, plastic or otherwise, most likely glue on.

My minis have pretty good feet with lots of sole but there still is the potential for bruising on trails as I plan to train them for combined driving events. I have heard it from many folks with minis that if someone could come up with a decent shoe for them they'd sell like crazy. Could be an untapped market ;) . I know I would be very interested and so would my farrier. Any ideas?

Thanks, Shirley

[Gary Hill]

Making a shoe for a mini isn't the problem! The problem is horseshoe nails! Even the smallest size horseshoe nail is too big for a mini. They just don't have the wall size or strengh to hold a clinched nail. Now what I have done in the past was duct tape a large washer to the bottom of a foot. I called it a "donut bar shoe". It will give protection for a little while but wear and tear will eat the tape up. You could glue on a washer or small handmade if necessary? Good Luck! Gary

[Phil Armitage]

I bet if you cut out a pair of aluminum plates or even cut them out so there like an egg bar you could weld little clips on them and glue them on with Adhere. Could probably do this on a band saw then drill out the center with a hole saw. I have a couple of minis, I will try it and get back to you.

[Roy Amaral CJF]

Just run a bead of Superfast- instant horseshoe.

[Jeanie Connors]

A good trim and proper conditioning of those little hooves will take care of the "potential for bruising" all on its own. With hooves that little, they would be more likely to strain a tendon than bruise the hoof on a sizable rock, and any small rocks would likely be pressed into the ground. A mini's weight also would be less likely to actually be enough to press that little hoof down hard enough on a rock to do damage. The hooves are smaller, but still made of the same tough stuff larger hooves are made of ;) .

This probably isn't the answer you're looking for, but trimming the hooves with a *good* trim, just as you would for a larger horse, will go a long way in keeping the hooves protected from bruising.

[Gary Hill]

Good answer Jeannie! Those little guys are really hearty IF you don't feed them too much! Best, Gary

[2LILEQUI]

Hi All,

Thanks for the replies and yes, I'm very aware of the nailing issue with minis and also their propensity to have a naturally good foot. Mine do have great feet, actually better than any large horse I've ever seen, however, I still am looking for protective options suitable for the type of work they will be doing.

What is Superfast and does it dry rapidly? That might be an option to protect their feet from excessive wear down which unfortunately is very common problem in minis that are driven frequently and can definately contribute to sore feet.

Unfortunately, I'm not much good with fabricating or welding so I'd need something more or less goof proof if doing it myself :o My poor farrier spends way too much time on her knees trimming them as is so I hope not to make more work for her with something complicated or a hassle to remove at trim time.

Thanks, Shirley

[Roy Amaral CJF]

http://www.vettec.com/65/products/superfast.html

Sets up in less than a minute, a lot less when its 95 degrees out. ;)

[calshoer]

I have shod foundered minis, and a couple foals with that needed hoof extensions for for tendon laxicity or angular deformities.I just cut them out of 1/16" aluminum plate with a five dollar coping saw), and glued them on the with the superfast. Works great. Quarter or 3/8 inch plywood works good too. Patty

[e decker]

Good for you giving your mini a job!!!!!
I would be careful with the "instant shoe"-- the product is VERY slick when cured. I like superfast a lot and use it often in other ways. I even tried this "instant shoe" for a racehorse on vacation so he wouldn't trash his feet- I was very lucky not to get sued.
Equilox may not be as slick but a good trim every four or five weeks, I promise, is all you need for a healthy mini.
Good luck

[SlowShoe]

Good answer Jeannie! Those little guys are really hearty IF you don't feed them too much! Best, Gary

Pony Roast?


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