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Using Borium For Traction, Not Torque
Jerry Trapani, a farrier from East Islip, N.Y., spent many years shoeing horses for the police departments. When working with these horses, that do most of their work at a walk or trotting, he says he's more worried about traction than concussion.
In most cases, he says the found adding Borium to the shoes to work best.
"On hinds shoes, I put two small dots of Borium on the back edge of the toe and near the end of the fuller," he says. "Then I just wash it lightly over the toe. On the front, you don't need as much, just a wash at the toe and a small bead at the heel."
Trapani explains that with a heel first landing, this pattern allows some natural slide for the hoof.
"They're not going to land right on that Borium and stop, putting all that pressure on the soft tissues, tendons and ligaments," he says. "This way, we can get traction without so much torque."
Trapani made these comments during a presentation at the 2009 International Hoof-Care Summit in Cincinnati, Ohio. More of what he had to say is included in an article in the Sept./Oct. issue of American Farriers Journal, which subscribers will be receiving soon.
