Pedigree Query

Anyone tried these? In theory the concept of flex and shock absorbtion in a shoe is very appealing. I was training barefoot, but alas I am seeing more wear and tear than I care for. Nothing against metal shoes, but I am looking at them as Nikes per say for horses.

http://www.plastichorseshoes.com/groundcontrol.html

You might want to check your track rules before you run one in them, and my son the horse shoer said he thought they may be heavy

No probs with the rules on that end, other than using the clear ones, since they are easier to be inspected. Though specifically I hadn't really thought about racing in them as I will make that decision once I see first hand how they perform. About 2 years ago I held one and they definitely did not seem anywhere as heavy as a regular keg. I noticed them on some mounted police horses, but never got around to inquire what the riders thought of them. (I should say I held and observed some kind polymer shoe, I just happened to like this particular type/brand as it seems logical to me as to what the function(s) would be)

I keep reading these studies about stresses on the leg when competing so vigorously and many hint to the root cause being that a metal shoe, even a nice light aluminum, not being able to produce the same shock absorbing qualities as the hoof in the natural state posesses.

I just hate buying something that I will be kicking myself in the butt for getting. Though I guess I could just go with the fact that the mounted patrol was using them, so they can't be all that bad....... can they???

If you use them, let us know how they work.

looks like a good product at first blush till you realize it's just another shoe to be nailed on. unless you're exercising on concrete, what's the point?

other possible problems, dirt and moisture trapped under the plastic which might cause abscess, thrush or whiteline disease. also, unknown how the plastic would hold up unless it is very thick. if thick, it may elevate the horse and change the angles which can result in bowed tendon. check www.horseshoes.com both for the shoe, and the debate with the barefoot crowd that may give some pause for thought about protection (or lack) provided by hoof capsule for thoroughbreds. other breeds may differ.

well...... after googling my brains out on these shoes, I ordered a pair of the ground control and a pair of these:
http://www.hoof-it.com/horseshoes-application-instructions.pdf

I like the hoof-it's, as the information that is out seems to suggest that regular shoes tend to take the frog out of the equation. These have a built in plastic bar across the frog. Supposedly it mimics the barefoot pressure mechanisms of the hoof by allowing frog pressure contact. Actually seems like all the plastic/composite shoes have something that covers the frog.

I don't like the large amount of area the ground controls cover, but we are pretty dry and I have yet to encounter thrush in any of my horses.

We do a lot of our riding on hard surfaces, which doesn't bother them at all barefoot, but throw a couple of jagged little rocks in there and you have a recipe for disaster. Not to mention I was looking for something that evened out concussion better than steel and protected the wall from the wear and tear of chips and chunks.

I prefer barefoot, but I am not going to ruin their feet by going barefoot when I am logging 15 plus miles a week on each one. I also have the BOA hoof boots, which are great, but for my own peace of mind, I just don't like them at cruising speed. In my minds eye I just see the thing coming off and I prefer not to think about that when we are cruising. I also have used the EASYBOOT and have had the good experience with them, walk, trot, and canter. It's galloping again that I worry about. Though I have some kind of two part foam adhesive system from them that is supposed to add extra grip to the hoof to further prevent incidence of a lost boot.

At the track, I like that the composites are receiving a good review about leg stresses when a horse is confined to the stall for long periods of time. Even a small amount of flex in a hoof seems to be beneficial when there is not a lot of real movement and all they might do is shuffle or stomp.

So I will resurrect this thread in a few weeks with my thoughts on them. I am going to put a different pair on two horses with similar work schedules and note the changes.