Once you are sure of the size they
are cheaper if you buy them in bulk. The company will exchange if you
order 2 sizes at first till your sure of the size. Looks like
the price went up since my last order - $14/pr. I order instead of
expecting my farrier to stock.
I agree, they are not for every horse
& you have to have an open minded farrier. Mine gave me that "you
crazy endurance people" look when I first mentioned them. By the end of
the season he agreed they were no big deal.
First the nails are recessed, this
prevents nail contact with ground & is supposed to help prevent travel of
concussion up the nail. When setting the nail, it has to be tapped
completely into the groove otherwise you have a loose shoe. We used 3
nails each side & stayed toward the front, using every other
hole.
Sizing is the same as for regular
shoes. Be careful not to pick the shoe that is a "perfect" match to
the trimmed hoof size. Better to go larger and rasp the excess. This
allows sufficient shoe to stick out beyond the heel for support &
protection.
How long do they last?
Depends on the miles and terrain. I put up to 150 miles on them
& they probably could have been reset but I chose to just put on
new ones at that point. I never go more than 5 weeks between shoeings or
trims. He did 600 miles in them this year not counting CTRs so we really
put them to the test.
Did they come off? I've never
lost a shoe but I attribute that to my farrier. We did Biltmore in
the mud last year & he did great & never slipped even galloping down
hills. We also did a bunch of other muddy rain rides & even sucking
mud didn't pull them. Road rides - never slipped & no sparks.
I also liked being able to put
betadine under the shoe & the fact that air could get to the hoof &
frog. I had used regular shoes & pads with packing the year before and
ended the season with a nasty case of white line. I took from Dec. to May
to completely clear & he stayed barefoot all that time. No thrush, no
white line this year. No delaying the season because I can't put shoes
on.
Only problem I had was because they
are flexible, when he would lay down & roll the process of getting up &
digging front heels into the ground would get dirt, grass & occasionally
stones under the shoe. I had to check & clean with a flat blade hoof
pick every day. He picked up a couple whopper stones that way. Never
got a stone on the trail.
Went barefoot for the winter again
but it's good to know they work in snow. I thought they would. Also
didn't think they would be any help for ice. Gotta use studs for
that. Even now barefoot, I get him trimmed every five weeks.
We're out riding a couple times a week & try to get in one 15 - 20
miler a week but the wear isn't always even & if he goes longer the growth
begins to chip. If he does get a chip in between I rasp it enough to
prevent further chipping or tearing.
Lots of products out there. You
have to find what works for your horse.
