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  Discussion on "Easywalker" plastic shoes-anyone have info?
Author Message
Member:
Bethyg2

Posted on Tuesday, Mar 30, 2004 - 9:49 am:

Hi- I have a trail horse (paint) who has sensitive feet - nothing disease related, perhaps a bout of laminitis before I got him but nothing that shows on an x-ray. He gets used 5 times a week for light trail riding only, is very fit, but has never had great feet. There are big cracks where he has managed to pull off the old shoes,and the hooves look dry and generally not great.I do the hooflex thing, and he wears pads all the time in front under the steel shoes. I was wondering if anyone had experience with these plastic/ rubber nail on shoes. They look great, but I'd worry about tripping with the increased grip. Any info would be much appreciated.
Member:
Sparky

Posted on Tuesday, Mar 30, 2004 - 12:56 pm:

Beth - I looked those up and showed my farrier - her comment was that they did not look as if they could be shaped to the foot as easy. I have had the same thing. Flat feet, sensitive sole - my gelding is now totally barefoot with just regular trimming and I bought Old Mac's and love them. Had a bit of a problem with figuring out the right size but had a friend come out with her boots and we fitted him. Once the nail holes were grown out I have not had any chips at all. I really did not like the idea of having to put pads on him which is the only way I would have been able to trail ride him. With shoes on he would still pick his way very slowly with his nose close to the ground. Now with the boots he moves thru mud, creeks, rocks and anything else I put in front of him. His feet are improving all the time. He was also long toed and underslung in the heels. I know that I can ride anytime I want and don't have to worry about the fact that he needs to be reshod or lose a shoe. Old Mac's price has come down and I got mine for $159.00 a pair CDN.
Good luck
Janet Schmidt
Member:
Tlcstabl

Posted on Tuesday, Mar 30, 2004 - 1:31 pm:

Hi Beth:
We tried the Ground Control plastic shoes for a season on our guys. Did fine for one of my quarter horse, my appy developed high ringbone in both front feet that year (never had a problem with feet before). Coincidence? I don't know, but we will not use them again. If you do try them, they are really not hard to shape. We just drew the outline of the horse's foot (after trimming) on a piece of paper, drew the outline on the shoes, did the major trimming before putting on the foot and then the minor trimming once they were in place. They were very good for traction on paved roads which we have to cross over on our way to some of our back roads. Not necessarily so great when raining (wet roads, wet grass, etc.)
Just my 2 cents worth,
Sherry
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