We are not now in humid area, but have still have
friends who use pour-in pads in the Midwest. I also have wet areas in my
sub-irrigated pasture.
I have found that after two weeks in a damp
pasture they will last about 40 miles. When properly applied, I have
gotten multiday ride performance her in MT. I suspect you will get the
same where you are.
Here is what I do:
1. Shoe the horse normally. My horses almost
always seem to be at least a few weeks into the cycle when I am going to a
ride.
2. At the ride, the day before, take my hoof knife
and clean out the sole. I take particular care to clean under the steel
shoe. If it is clean, the crack will fill with pad material, I think this
helps keep the pad on.
3. Clean the sole with 200 proof denatured
alcohol. The instructions warn not to use to much, but I am rather spastic
so I usually use a lot, but am careful with the next step.
4. Dry the sole carefully using a hair
dryer. This is very important!! The chemical reaction that cures the
urethane pour-in pad uses special alcohols. If the sole is damp with
alcohol, it will not stick to the sole or properly cure. You will need
120v AC to do this. We purchased a generator mostly for this
service.
5. Apply the stick-on foam
board.
6. I put on rubber gloves, in a futile attempt to
prevent the stuff from sticking to my skin.
7. Use Vaseline petroleum jelly to mask off areas
on the horse where you do not want the stuff to stick. It can irritate a
horses heels.
8. Pump the material in the sole. I like the
black, fast setting hard stuff. Wait the proper amount of time for it to
start to jell. Put the horses foot down on a hard flat
surface.
9. Have your assistant hold the opposite foot up
until the stuff sets.
10. If you put two much in, use a sharp
knife to trim.
When I have popped them out after a couple of
weeks, the normal sloughing of the sole has made them rather poorly
adhered. We have never lost a pad on a multiday
ride.
Ed
Ed & Wendy Hauser 2994 Mittower
Road Victor, MT 59875
