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Re[2]: [RC] Plastic Shoes More - Roger RittenhouseI too have used the Vettec products Equi-Pak, the major problem I have is keeping it in - that is it falls out shortly after it dries. Seems the moisture in the hoof soles/walls will not let it bond. Yes I do use a heat gun to dry the sole, we dry before we put on the shoe. I have tried just about anything that pulls water.. including ether (sp) Good thing no one was smoking? NOTHING I used to dry out the foot worked. The pack fell out sometimes the same day sometimes the next week. The ONLY way I get the pack to stay in was using a screen mesh under the shoe. I have used fiberglass screen and gutter guard plus the mesh from vettec. This works but may over time work loose. My shoer has not been able to figure out a good fix. My gang lives in a bottom land area, and they go through a creek all the time.. no way the foot will dry out. And it is suppose to rain all this next week.. I have NOT had any major problems using the Luwex pads nor the Shocktamers. I normally keep shoes on for 5 to 6 weeks. Clinches do not raise up, nail holes do not appear to work open. My current shoer must know how to get the shoe well set and the nails tight. So did my past 2 shoers. Over the 20 plus years I have used pads of one form or another I have had very little problems. Lucky? The reason I prefer to use a pad under the shoe - even a rim pad is I do not want steel direct on the hoof wall. It is just the way I want to do it. I think it reduces concussion and shock up the hoof and the structures. I can tell the difference in the way they all travel with and without pads. As long as the shoer I use, can get the shoes seated and the nailed on using pads and they stay on, I will continue to use them. My shoer hot seats the shoes. Dont know if it means anything since he puts on a pad.. but the shoe and the hoof ground surface are matched to fit. The best shoe I use was the Equithotic sneakers. Alum plate with plastic over it. Used them up north for many years. Did lots of OD50/100 VA trails and rocky PA trails. Problem was they were slippery in grass and the mud here in the SE. I am thinking about trying them again.. and go slow in the mud rides. This shoe has great support. Although it was a bit more work to put on. My new shoer really likes to shoe for me since I try the new stuff and he gets to learn about alternative methods.. and what does or does not work.. and I pay him to learn.. I have also had great luck with the MUSTAD Nail-Shu. Regular shoe -alum with plastic. I think my old mare has about 3000 miles in them. I am going to put them back on the old mare and maybe one other to let my shoer get used to them. Not sure they offer enough support for my current working horse. Roger Rittenhouse www.vmaxept.com pictures at http://ImageEvent.com/vmaxept pictures at http://community.webshots.com/user/psdendurance JRB> First, I am an endurance rider, Second I am a farrier and JRB> third, I have tried alternative shoes.? Roger, I have been in JRB> steel/aluminum shoes for 25 years, tried the trends, keep my JRB> traditional shoes.? That stuff doens't work on my horses either.? JRB> Anything that gives that much is going to tear up the hoof wall.? JRB> When you tear up the hoof wall, there is the chance to introduce JRB> crud into the white line.? From there, you only get more JRB> problems.? Now, the hoof must expand when the horse sets it down, JRB> if not, you have problems there too,? but steel shoes can be JRB> applied so that it "increases" the give.? Like leaving the heel JRB> nails out, shoeing with plenty of heel room and beveling the JRB> edges of the shoe.? I personally do not even use pads any more.? JRB> With the Equi-pak products, you can keep from using? pads that JRB> also cause wear/tear on the nail holes and hoof wall.? It is JRB> wonderful stuff IF applied properly.? I love it.? used it this JRB> past weekend on a two day 100 on rocks/hills in KY.? I could go JRB> on and on about it, but won't.? The main point here is: anything JRB> that?wiggles in the hoof wall is a problem.? It might not be if JRB> you are shoeing every 3 weeks.? But most people are not doing JRB> that.? I can do it, because I don't have to call the farrier and JRB> get them out there.? I have the luxury of shoeing "when needed".? JRB> So, if you can't live with it for 4-5 weeks....don't use it.? The JRB> old style will still work, and many horses have gone 1000's of JRB> miles sound doing it. J =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
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