Mr. Perry,

Have you tried this technique? You should not dismiss it until you have. You can't use silicone under the pads it must be the 2 part impression material.

I think all too often we here on horseshoes.com are prone to dismiss a technique that we have not personally tried.

The effects of a compressible plastic shoe - The Seattle shoe®- on the kinematics of the strides of galloping thoroughbred horses
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References and further reading may be available for this article. To view references and further reading you must purchase this article.

Patrick D. Wilson MS, DVM3, Marc H. Ratzlaff DVM, PhD1, Corresponding Author Contact Information, Barrie D. Grant DVM, MS2, Martha L. Hyde PhD1 and Olin K. Balch DVM, MS1

1Department of Veterinary and Comparative Anatomy, Pharmacology and Physiology, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164.

2San Luis Rey Equine Clinic, 4211 Holly Lane, Bonsall, CA 92003.

3Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, "IX 77843.

Available online 1 November 2007.

Summary

This study was undertaken to determine if the kinematic parameters of galloping horses were altered when these horses were shod with Seattle Shoes®. Analyses of films of six Thoroughbred horses galloping through a track straightaway, with and without Seattle Shoes®, were used to determine velocity, stride length, stride time, swing time and support time ofthelimbs, the percentages of the stride time spent in the swing and support phases, and the arcs of flight of the carpi and fetlocks of the forelimbs and the coronets of all four limbs. Descriptive statistics were calculated for each of these variables. Comparisons were made between those measured from ® horses shod with and without the Seattle Shoe,usingboththe paired-t test and analysis of covariance, which eliminated the influence of differing velocities. No significant differences occurred in the stride lengths or timing parameters when these horses were shod with Seattle Shoes®. The Seattle Shoe® had it's most significant effect on the arcs of flight of the limbs. The compression of the Seattle Shoe® appears to store a portion of the potential energy normally stored in the suspensory appa- ratus and results in a decreased extension of the fetlock. This energy is then released, causing significant increases in the heights of the forelimb during retraction and protraction. Although kinematic adjustments are required by horses to maintain the level of performance, the Seattle Shoe® appears to have no detrimental effects on the performance of galloping horses and it may decrease strain on the suspensory apparatus.

I got a message from a customer saying that her equine message therapist recomended removing the snow ball pads from the hind shoes of her horse because they were putting pressure on the hip. She also said that maybe the hooves could be trimmed differently to help. I would like to think i'm an open minded individual but I can not for the life of me figure how a snow ball pad can efect the hip .(some may say snow ball pads dont allow for frog support) I dont want to have discusion with my customer about this before I inquire about . I'm hoping my customer relayed the message wrong .
Help please , thank you
Jeff Kozerefski