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Discussion on Hoof Armor by Equilox
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Member:
Gdiup1
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Posted on Wednesday, Jul 16, 2003 - 6:14 pm:
Well - I've been doing the barefoot trims since early Spring (March?) and am ready to toss in the towel. My Paso Fino is just to tenderfooted to ride the rough terrain I continually ask him to cover without shoes. He tries to walk on tiptoe or short strides and I just can't do it anymore. I have a pair of Old Macs for the front but I need them all around not just front. He's just as wimpy with the back feet. So I've found something new and want to see if anyone knows anything about it - it can be read about on the Equilox website under Hoof Armor. It sounds like it may be a great thing....My Paso has flat feet - rock hard but flat and walls on the thin side. I hate the thought of shoes as ripping a shoe off if what started this whole mess of bad feet. So anybody got any thoughts????
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New Member:
Clover
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Posted on Thursday, Jul 17, 2003 - 1:35 am:
I don't know anything about Hoof Armor but I've had great success with Keratex. We had a horse with very thin shaly walls and after using Keratex were able to ride her barefooted on endurance rides. It does work. It's not that expensive. The only place I've found it is at www.keratex.net. Give it a try.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Thursday, Jul 17, 2003 - 10:37 am:
Hello Karen,
I would recommend patience it may take more time but concerning Equilox, we have just received a sample and looking forward to a chance to experiment with it.
DrO
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Member:
Gingin
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Posted on Tuesday, Nov 9, 2004 - 9:08 pm:
I friend of mine just asked about Hoofarmor (https://hoofarmor.com/) since this product is now listed on the Parelli website....
I just made the switch from shoes to no-shoes with the understanding that it may take some time to get my horse's hooves "toughened" before I can do serious trail riding on all sorts of ground again..so I got Old Mac's for serious riding and no boots for the less demanding rides and now after only 8 weeks of shoes off, my mare's hooves are already able to handle most surfaces..amazing!
So, just because Parelli "endorses" this product, I am not sure how good it really is and what the benefits are over getting a good barefoot trim and letting the horses's feet adjust to going without shoes....has anyone had a chance to try hoofarmor on their horses and really see a difference in their ability to handle tough ground? I could see that if horses on tough ground wear their feet to quickly initially after the shoes are pulled (does this actually ever happen..hmmmm) that some epoxy stuff with kevlar would provide more abrasion resistance...but then again, what about the moisture exchange that happens through the sole of the foot...doesn't this get affected with Expoxy on the sole????
Any advice or thoughts would be greatly appreciated!
Christine
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Member:
Fpony
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Posted on Wednesday, Nov 10, 2004 - 6:39 am:
Christine,
If your horse is doing well and you have already purchased boots for the tougher terrain why would you want to add something to his hoof? I would think this would conteract some of the reasons for doing a barefoot trim? Just my opinion.
Karen,I just took my horses shoes off this fall. I'm learning the natural trim, also. I think my guys are doing very well, but it sure takes patience and a lot of effort. We have very hard ground here so that helps the feet toughen. If your soil is muddy or excessive soft I believe it will be difficult for your horse to going on hard or rocky ground without boots.Unless they are conditioned to it by riding a lot on that terrain. Right Dr. O?
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Member:
Gingin
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Posted on Wednesday, Nov 10, 2004 - 7:12 pm:
Thanks Kim,
I just reread my post from yesterday and noticed that it may have been a bit cryptic and diffuse and mixes several isses: sorry!  ..this is what I MEANT to ask:
1) A friend of mine wants to use HoofArmor to help her horse go barefoot...does anyone have any experience with this?
2) I am a bit suspicious about HoofArmor since it is an epoxy and is to be applied all the way over the sole....and don't really see what I may add over the additional trimming and care you need to do to transition your horse to barefoot.
3) I personally don't think HoofArmor is needed if you are willing to give your horse a break during transition, as I think I did, an provide hoof boots or just time to adjust....I was wowed by the effects I am seeing with my mare and my own trimming...
so, for these 3...does anyone have any experience with HoofArmor or any thoughts on its use and utility?
BTW...I fully agree with you...why apply anything to hooves that are doing well all on their own and be realistic about what you expect your horse to be able to do...hooves need to be able to condition to the ground they will be ridden on so expecting them to tacke rocks when they live on sand is just unrealistic!!
Thanks again and sorry about the confusing post...
Christine
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Thursday, Nov 11, 2004 - 7:26 am:
Kim that has been our experience though there is tremendous variation from horse to horse. We have 2 horses that seem to be able to take anything thrown at them, several that are fine barefoot on much harder grounds for shorter periods of time, and one that needs protection anytime on gravelly surfaces.
DrO
Concering the use of epoxy on the sole...we actually experimented with this product without noticing any help but perhaps we did not use the product aggressively enough (more layers might be better?). Using epoxy on the wall over a long period it tends to soften the horn underneath but if used episodically and it wears off quickly it might have some use?
DrO
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