As you may or may not know, I'm a barefoot trimmer. I've wanted to offer nail on protection (laser tips, poly shoes) for ages now, buy I've only nailed on one laser tip into a live horse under supervision.
I've been trying to find a farrier to help me learn how to nail on for a while now, but not surprisingly I've had no takers.
So I've had to just bite the bullet and just nail some tips on Gracie as practice. Natalie suggested tips for Gracie as she's battling some separation and sensitive (although thick) soles. It's all insulin resistance related and we are trying to tighten up her diet but in the mean time Nat still wants to be able to ride without worrying about Gracie being sensitive.
Anyway, today was the day. I went over my notes from college a few years ago, I had already recieved all my gear in the post, and Gracie was already due a trim anyway.
I was nervous but I really shouldn't have been. I think one or two of the nails are a bit low but that's better than pricking a horse! But other than that I think I did an OK job. I'll reset them after 3 weeks because I want Gracie on a short cycle.
Anyway, after a few more goes with tips I'll try nailing on a set of easy shoes or maybe Epona shoes. I'll have a go with Allie too, even though she doesn't need the protection.
Nail ons are far far cheaper than glue ons, plus you can reuse the shoe (depending on wear). It will be more viable offering nail ons than just glue ons.
Just thought I would share!
10 comments:
Interesting and new to me. What is the advantage of the laser tip?
I've never heard of these! Why those instead of a whole shoe? To allow for movement of the hoof? Dies it affect the break over ? What about hoof balance?
So many questions, lol
They can be used in situations where a boot might not be viable/competition legal. It provides protection to the tip of p3 while still allowing proper function in the back of the foot. It's not the answer to every footy horse, but it's an excellent tool to have in the bag for some cases.
The difference between these and a whole shoe is that these don't peripherally load the hoof wall, they load the inner wall and the toe callous. You can set breakover quite a fair way back if required, and yes they affect balance if you don't leave an extra 4mm heel height to compensate for the thickness of the tip. I didn't trim Gracie's heels at all, but I think next time I can take them down a smidge as there is plenty of heel height there. If the horse has low or underrun heels then the tips really can't be used.
http://www.barehoofcare.com/laser_tips.html
They were developed by my lecturer at college, Andrew Bowe. Above is his write up on them.
What a great option to have available! I can think of so many situations in which these would be helpful.
Thanks for all the information. It's fascinating.
I thought the heels looked high. I was starting to wonder if I was doing something wrong with my horse's heels. Thanks for mentioning it.
(I remembered the thing I wanted to say!!!)
In this photo, Gracie's coronet band doesn't look straight, the hairline looks like it drops down at the heels. Is that representative, or is it just the angle of the photo?
And...
I think I must know a lot of 'alternative'/non-traditional hoof care type of horse owners (including several hoof care professionals)! I was thinking about all the options that I know about, the options that I know someone that has tried or is using...
I take it as normal to have that sort of open-minded "what option will work here" approach, and don't realise how non-standard that is until I have a conversation with someone who is concerned that leaving shoes off their horse's hind feet will ruin their feet (won't they get all chipped and split?)! I have to admit I had a blank look on my face whilst I got my thought together and politely asked whether my horses' feet were ruined? (This person often comments on how great their bare feet look)
Always good to learn a bit more about another option! :)
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