Frequently Asked Questions
Learn more about maintaining a healthy hoof and how 3D HoofCare can help equine athletes maximize their performance.
The 3D pad is designed to emulate the forces generated on the barefoot hoof with a shoe applied. The frog support stops the frog from trying to reach the ground with the weight and movement of the horse. This dissipates all the force on the seat of corn and heels and distributes the weight evenly over the wall and frog as nature intended.
The Ed Eclipse is designed for racehorses as a lightweight frog support to dissipate force to the heels. It is used without digital support material.
The Half Mesh pad is used in conjunction with a soft digital impression material mixed with anti bacterial copper sulphate. This pad is used for horses in a grass pasture and arena or controlled riding environment.
The Full mesh pad is designed for maximum protection also in conjunction with digital impression material and anti bacterial copper sulphate. This is for horses in stony turnout and riding environment. This would also be my recommendation for thin soled horses as a protection
The size of the pad is measured at the widest point of the hoof and from toe to heel. Various degrees can also be incorporated with 2, 3 degrees being standard degree pads. This degree needed will be dictated by the Hoof Pastern Angle.
The pads are not designed to be reused as the impression material is designed to be held in place by the holes in the pad. If your horse is light on these pads they have been known to be reset in some cases but not guaranteed.
After 35 years of shoeing and gluing horses I have found this to be the most efficient way of protecting and aiding a compromised foot. A shoe can be nailed to a cast very easily as in effect you are creating a thicker wall that absorbs and distributes force. This thicker wall can be nailed to without the risk of close nails.
I have found this to be the most effective crack repair to date. The video on this site will give you an insight into stabling the crack. The other alternatives of screws, wires and braces can be risky if there is no wall thickness to work with. As long as an interface is placed over the crack itself then there is very little risk involved
If I am presented with a bruised foot or suspected corn then I will use a full pad with a medicated osmotic gel. This will protect the foot from further injury and basically float the sole of the hoof within the HoofCast giving it time to heal while still exercising or racing. I use a wall only cast on the hoof wall that in the past I would have applied a glue on shoe. By casting, I am creating a new thick wall that accepts nails with little risk and gives me a good few cycles of shoeing to nail to.
I generally use a 2" cast for wall rebuild on a racehorse with a size 4-7 race plate. If it's a larger foot or I also want to cover the sole, I would opt for the 3". The 4" is used for very large feet or to apply a clog.
I do not recommend stripping the dorsal wall or roughening it to apply a cast as this removes all the natural hoof varnish and will weaken and soften the wall. A light sanding is all it needs, especially at the anchor points at the heels. This way when the cast is ready to be replaced or removed it will come off easier with little damage to the wall. The shape of the cast when applied will hold it in place as well as the small amount of glue needed.
This has not been an issue as such a thin layer is applied compared to direct gluing. Also, the water drenching after applying cools it down significantly.
Yes, absolutely.
A DE Hooftap can be used as a wear plate if needed to help wear. I do like to restrict maximum movement (canter, gallop and jumping etc.) until full cure of the adhesive (between 2-4 hours)
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