Pedigree Query

Has anyone tried these pads? I want to try them for my two foundered mares. I wonder how long they last?

http://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.html ... 390ee16948

It's an interesting concept. I checked to see if there were any testimonals, but there were none. My biggest concern would be durability and the adjustments. On today's farrier's list the price isn't too bad. I think I told you once before on another thread that I use a MAC Boot and cut a shim to raise the heel. After many years of shoeing horses, I'm not in favor of shoeing foundering horses, particularly those with severe rotation of the coffin bone. I can remember when we used a bag full of fine sand to support the foot. With the shoe removed, the foundering horse by moving his hoof on the ground was able to find a comfort zone which gave him both relief and support. The sand moved in the bag as the horse pawed and when the comfort zone was found, the horse took a more upright stance vs the stretched founder stance. This item looks like the same approach.

I took a look at the photos... the air pocket looks like it would be good for a horse whose frog isn't touching the ground, for extra support and protection against concussion. The rest of the pad doesn't look very thick, no more than the average pad. As it's filled with air, I wouldn't think it would be as sturdy as a shim...?

I have them on my show hunter. He did not have any specific foot problem, just tended to get foot sore after a 2 or 3 day show, lots of jumping. My vet wanted to put pads on him, my trainer wanted to put egg bars on him (a dead give away that something is amiss in the hunter world), and my farrier wanted to continue to support his heels and let his feet grow differently over a period of time. We found these pads and gave them a shot, the first day my horse was literally bouncing around. His stride at the trot under saddle got significantly longer, he was able to freely reach forward and not worry about his feet hurting. He walks right over stones in the driveway without a care and has actually started jumping more correctly and landing nice and soft and relaxed. Before he would always tense up the first stride or two after a fence and would tend to rush if he could get away with it.

My farrier has a standing appt. at the farm weekly so he checks the air each tiem and can adjust it as his feet grow throughout the showing cycle. I have never had one leak or pop, my horse has not pulled them off. He has been wearing them for about 3 months and I am thrilled. I too was skeptical, but he really does move a lot better and no longer tries to protect his feet.

Thanks, amanda. That sounds just great. I'll order them today.

Oops, sorry, just reread my post and realized that it sounded like he had been wearing the same set for 3 months. He is on his 2nd set, the first ones held up great and we decided that he would get new ones each time his feet were done, just as precaution, as the aren't very expensive. Even if my farrier puts the same shoes back on we replace the pads, figured it would be easier that way than 5 minutes before he is supposed to go in the ring!! In his size a set (he only wears them in front, but I guess you could use them in back) only costs about $24, and since my farrier may as well just be a signer on my checking account, what another $24.....at least that's what I keep telling myself!!

Gee, I've never seen these pads before. Wonder if they are legal for racing purposes? I can see someone inflating them prior to a race and getting maximum spring effect. I would think a horse wearing them would have an advantage from a physics standpoint.

Has anyone tried them in an actual race??