VET TALK 
​March/April 2017
by Amy Ortez, DVM
Dr. Amy Ortez, DVM
Dr. Amy  Ortez grew up spending most of her time in and around barns outside of Philadelphia, PA.  After spending many years working in various aspects of the horse industry, Amy made the decision to attend veterinary school at the Atlantic Veterinary College on Prince Edward Island, Canada.  Since graduating, Amy has made her home near Rochester, NY where she is a mixed animal practitioner.  There is no aspect of equine medicine that does not interest her.  Amy is also the proud owner of several horses that she enjoys riding.

SHOEING ALTERNATIVES TO TRADITIONAL NAIL ON SHOES
by Amy Ortez, DVM

The world of horse shoeing has come a long way.  What used to be a strictly steel and aluminum based industry now has a plethora of options for a variety of different conditions and demands.  One of the best known shoeing alternatives comes from Easycare Inc.  The owners are avid endurance riders and have a “real world” understanding of the needs of endurance riders and their horses.  They have boot options and now glue on and nail on varieties as well.  Items such as the Flip Flop and Glove offer sole protection in addition to supporting the wall.  

Sound Horse technologies where one of the early pioneers of glue on horse shoes.  They currently offer shoes that can be applied with their unique cuff design which offers excellent adhesion and wall support.  They even have a modular system where by a regular horse shoe can be glued on to the foot.  The shoes can also be found wedged at the heel for  problems such as laminitis or navicular syndrome if deemed appropriate.  
The Polyflex horse shoes sold by No Anvil LLC are an exciting option as well.  Made famous by the racehorse Mucho Macho Man, the polyflex shoes are designed to flex with the foot and not inhibit natural movement.  The shoes are a direct glue on and fairly light.  They come in many shapes and sizes as well as medical options such as foal extension.   The shoes is so flexible, it can be shaped by hand.
The Megasus Horserunner from Australia is a highly anticipated new product.  It has an adhesive tape that attaches to the wall of the hoof and the shoe essentially locks in to the tape with a unique design similar to velcro.  This product is due to be out later this year and looks to be very promising.  The manufacturer claims it is very secure and that the horses love it.
As you can see, there are many wonderful options available for horses that need more than bare feet, but not necessarily nailed metal shoes.  Discuss these various products with your farrier or veterinarian.  Traditional shoeing works for many horses but not all the time for all the horses.  Variety is paramount to being able to find the right product for your specific needs.   Do what works best.
READER CONTRIBUTION
Judy J. writes -  "I have a BLM mustang, Lil Joe, for 15 years now and we are very attached to each other. He also earned the Reserve Champion for our county's obstacle course.
DISCLAIMER
The information contained on this website is not meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.  Information found on this website
is meant for educational and informational purposes only.
When in doubt, consult your veterinarian.