Re: Shoes-Pads-Sneakers-ST

[WSAbg@t-online.de (wsabg)]

RR wrote:
> I use and re-sell both the SHOCKTAMER pad and the SNEAKERS as well as
> the MUSTAD Nail SHU..
>> ( This one is an open std alum--- shoe covered in  polymer plastic..
> does not give much wear .. but does take up shock and it is legal for
> NATRC CTR.. )I use these on my old ctr horse..except IF we do the IAHA
> NAt ride she will go back to the SNEAKERS..the ride site is rough and
> rocky and at 6 mph I want more protection..

> We use the St Croix Eventers behind AND we use 2 (two) MUSTAD(CAPWELL)
> DURA-TRAC nails per shoe-- in the LAST nail holes.. They sure do help
> with rear end slip. We use a 5E  nail its larger then the std 5 nail and
> it acts like a very small stud until it wears down. We have not had any
> problems with raised clinches..

Hi Roger,

at this time we have a similar discussion here in Germany in a newsgroup. The 
riders here want to know about the use of "plastic shoes".
Me myself I have tried out the Mustad as well as the Ollöv (which is a metall 
shoe covered with rubber!?!). I tested for Mustad the Nail-Shu in some different 
versions. First I have to tell you that my horse is footing (correct word?) on 
the front hooves with the end of the hoof and is turning the back hooves when 
lifting.
You are absolutely right with saying that the shock absorption is great on this 
shoes. My horse is walking like on clouds. Our training terrain is most asphalt, 
hard ways and less grass ways so you have to think about your horse's shoes!
But because of the footing-problem with my horse he made off one pair of 
Mustad's within a maximum of 80 km!!! We tried special Nail-Shu with glass fiber 
- good idea but no help! I met Mr. Clarin Mustad several times at the German 
"Equitana" where we discussed the problem. Unfortunately he can't help me. The 
only thing which helped for a little time were the Dura-Trac-Nails. But they 
cause another problem (corresponding to the amount of asphalt we are riding on - 
nearly 40 % of the way!). Because the Dura-Trac has a little head like a stud 
each of this nails is searching grip on asphalt. And because asphalt is not 
mirror-like each of the nails is causing vibrations on the wall of the hoof. The 
wall is cracking under the hole of the nail and so the shoe is getting loose! 
This will not happen with a standard nail - this one will be plain with the shoe 
after some kilometers.
So after trying and trying we are now using Werkmann iron shoes with standard 
nails and four pins of "Vidia" in each shoe.

Oops, almost forgotten to tell about the Ollöv. Don't try them... The rubber 
shoulb have the same grip as a unshoed hoof (Ollöv said!). But the rubber is 
stopping the hoof immediately when hitting the ground (just hard ground like 
asphalt). My horse is able to trot downhill at asphalt with nearly 30 km/h 
(nearly 18 miles/h). With the Ollöv he is shortening the trot and is using the 
shoulder when trotting downhill. I needed 3 months to give him back his security 
(and speed) in downhill-trotting!!

I hope to read more about alternative shoes. Our German as well as the European 
Rules do allow any kind of shoe so maybe I get another idea. Can you tell me 
what the Sneakers and the Shocktamers are made off?

Thanks and happy trails

Wolfgang + NINJA 11