Actually you can shape the shoe some. You shape the steel base shoe and
the plastic shoe is then fit into the base shoe. You can't major changes
in the toe area, but the shoes come in two shapes ("front and rear") and a
large number of sizes. When I ordered I took their template and old shoes
and tired to get the best fit. When the farrier went to put on the shoes,
he said I needed a rear pattern for the front, so I had to exchange. So
getting the proper pattern the first time is not fool proof, but not
difficult since the Slypner people are easy to work with. Actually for me
this was better since I have the same shoe on the front and back and only
have to stock one style for the "extra" shoe.
Over the years I have used steel, titanium and wide web Al. shoes. Usually
I get about four week between resets. If I am lucky I may get 5 with
titanium. At about four weeks the shoes work loose. For a lot of reasons
(mosture, fine sand, etc.), shoes come loose in FL faster than other areas.
With the Slypner's I can go six weeks with no problems, so I see my
farrier less - which is good for my wallet.
My real reason is concussion. We have none in FL and we can't train for it
so when we go to rides with rock, roads, etc., I feel a little more
comfortable with the Slypner's since they have better traction and provide
a little absorption to concusion. I believe Carlos Crespo was very happy
he had Slypner's when he took his horse from South Fl to the OD this year.
So far I am satisified with the shoes. One issues is getting your farrier
to work with them properly. Some farriers seem negative to the concept and
they do require a little more care when being worked with, but so far I
have found the extra effort worth it.
Truman
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The race is not always to the swift, but to those that keep running.
Truman and Mystic "The Horse from HELL" Storm
prevatt@lds.loral.com - Sarasota, Florida
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