The other day I put shoes and snow pads on a horse for a client.
Where the horse is boarded, the paddocks are 8 to 10 inches of mud and doesn't look like it will be drying out any time soon.
The horse that I shod that day has feet that just crumble under the clinchers. I warned the client that I couldn't guarantee the shoes with feet in this condition and that the horse should be kept on drier ground. No luck right now, everything is mud at their place.
So I'm hoping that the shoes will stay put but, am planning my next move.
What cuffed shoe's do you like and where to get them.
I didn't see anything in Centaurs catalog.


Thanks for the replys

Gary Pfeiffer

Sigifoos shoes www.soundhorse.com

Dalric cuff www.nanric.com

Both work well.

Gary,

Why are the walls so crumbly? The problem with the glue on cuffs is that they can create a really moist environment and for crumbly feet, that is going to really be bad. Even a forged continuous clip/toe cap shoe will have some moisture issues, especially since the horse will also be wearing pads.

When you fit the shoes, did you hot fit them? Are you certain there is no underlying hoof wall infection?

Instead of a full cuff, what about say three tall clips? You can also drill a hole(or two) in each clip and then use short screws and screw the package to the wall, in addition to your regular nailing to secure the shoe to the hoof.

Thanks for the replies George and Rick.
I did hot fit the shoes.
The wall is crumbled away, in some places an inch above the ground surface.
Horse was walking on his soles because of the wall being broken away.
I was able to pare out little sole and barely ran my rasp across the bottom to get a flat surface.
I got nice high nails using Cooper 5 lites but, when I went to clinch, the nails pulled down and crumbled the wall.
It really is a sloppy mess that these horses are in and I attributed the poor quality wall to the moisture.
I was considering shoes with tall clips and screws as you suggested Rick.
Just thought that I would check out the opinions of the cuff shoes also.

Gary

Gary,
It sure sounds like there is some hoof wall/WLD infection in those feet. If so, no matter what you do, no matter how you affix those shoes to the feet, its not going to work/help. And it will have absolutely nothing to do with your excellent skill and ability. Can you post some photos of those feet? Does this horse have or has it had, any metabolic issues now or in the past? What is its diet?

Rick

Hi Gary

any chance you can get some pics of the feet



did you use machine shoes or hand-mades
i find if you get this type of foot

make a light set for him you might have to
put nail holes where you woudent normally

put the clips where they will do a better job
this should help

Thanks for your replies.
I did not get any pictures until I reset the horse.
The inner layer of wall is sound and no seperation shown.
Wouldn't WLD affect the inner wall at the white line more.
It is the outer portion of the wall that is gone.
Just chipped off until there is little left.
I did clip the shoes between the 1st and second nail holes to cut down on some pressure on the nails.

Personaly I'm not looking forward to doing this nag again. While I was nailing, he would rear up and leap forward in the ties, and knocked the owner down.
A real pickle that was previosly trimmed by his last owner all his life. He is a 6 yr old now. I think the Vet and a good coctail is in order if I reset him.

Hows that new addition Rick.

Gary

Gary
I have had several horses with the same type of feet you have mentioned. I have had great deal of success with applying wood blocks. With a 2X6 you can get the hoof out of the muck and start to dry up the white line.If the problem of what is causing the crumbly walls is not adressed then nothing will help as Rick mentioned.The block can also be concaved to relive the sole pressure in really bad cases. If you have not seen this process it sounds a little off the wall. Dr Stewart of Shawnee Ok. has mastered this process and started it with helping foundered horses. At first I laughed at the idea of applying wood to a horses hoof and then saw some great results that I could not argue with. There is also a product out called Xout Plus that I have had good results with. It sounds like this horse needs help but if the owner is not willing to change the environment the horse is in then nothing you do will help in the long term. Best of luck John.

Gary Pfeiffer wrote: It may be a different fungal/yeast/bacterial attacking and affecting the outer wall. Sometimes its a combination of the two(WLD and something else)It still sounds like some kind of pathogen is involved. How far up the hoof capsule is the wall chipping away? Is this all the way around the perimeter?Have you considered adding a toe clip and clips between the thrid and fourth nail holes? for that matter, you could add spooned heels too.I'd make that a pre-requisite.At last report, quite well. The new parents on the other hand......
Thanks for asking, Gary.

Rick

Thanks for all the input everyone.

Rick:
The chipping in some areas seems to be 1/2 to 3/4 inch up the wall.

I am calling the owner today and suggesting the local Equine Vet clinic get involved.
The problem is that most of the barn uses a local vet service that is more involved in farm livestock and I do not think that they will have the experience in this area.
I will try to get them to call the Equine clinic, there they will have at least 8 horse vets that can be called on for their expertise.


Gary