Sole-Guard for Horses?

Question

http://www.vettec.com/65/index.htm

Has anyone ever used the sole guard or any of their products. I have an un-shod horse that is fine in my area with lots of sand and soft dirt but we are now traveling to the mountains where their are loads of rocks. We don't go up often (2-3x a year at most) but whenever we go I am always worried about him getting bruised or lame from a rock.

I have never been able to find someone who uses the product so any input would be appreciated!

Answer 1

I've seen the product advertised and have been very interested in it, myself, but don't know anyone that's used it.

It sounds logical - a product with some flexibility and strength should give the sole some real protection from rocks and debris.  I guess the two questions I would have are 1)does it really last? and 2)Does it increase the risk of fungus and other problems to your horse's hooves?  I know that my farrier wouldn't apply pads to my tender footed young horse when I had him shod because my farrier believes they hold in too much moisture and greatly increase some problems.  I would wonder if this would do something similiar.

Have you tried hoof boots?  I bought Easyboot Epics this year since I wanted to try my horse barefoot.  I had tons of questions about hoof boots, but they have worked well for me.  If you get the right size (and the info is on the box or online, just measure the bottom of their hoof for the widest and longest parts) then they do stay on.  And my horse can trot down my rocky gravel road just dandy with them.  The cost is about $60/hoof, but the ones I bought this spring are still like new, and I saved about $60 each time my farrier trimmed, but didn't shoe my mare.

I'll have to check back to see if anyone knows anything about Sole-Guard as I'm still curious about it.

Answer 2

I haven't used it.  I could have used something like that today when I took my unshod horse along with the pony club cross country schooling at a park with gravel paths.  Judging from the pictures it looks like your farrier has to apply it to a freshly trimmed (and very clean) hoof.  I guess if you really scrubbed it and let it dry without picking up any dirt or bedding you might get it to work.  Any dirt/bedding or water on the hoof would cause the stuff not to stick as well.  I think I'll ask my farrier what he thinks about it the next time he comes.