The most important factor in determining EasyCare glue-on success is hoof prep. The hoof needs to be rough, clean and dry for the adhesive to work properly, says Garrett Ford, owner of EasyCare, at the 2025 International Hoof-Care Summit. He uses the Hoof Buffy, which attaches to any drill with a ⅜-inch or larger chuck, and 60-grit sandpaper. A rasp is a viable alternative if a horse won’t accept the Buffy, but the goal is to create peaks and valleys on the hoof wall, so the glue can better bond to the surface (Figure 4).
“I always use the Buffy in a downward motion,” he advises. “If we had the drill going the other way, we’d be re-introducing the dust back onto the hoof with every revolution.”
After roughing the wall’s surface, even if at a downward angle, clean the hoof with a wire brush to ensure all dust is removed. Without a completely clean surface, the glue won’t adhere properly to the foot. The next step in hoof preparation is to run a torch over the feet to remove moisture, which can interfere with adhesion. The wire brush and torch steps are to be repeated 3 times.
“The shoe should fit well around my cuffs,” he says. “I want tight engagement on both sides of the cuff, not any gapping on the sides. And I want extra length and extra width in the heels. I like to fit them full, and I’ll take a Buffy, rasp or nippers and slowly clip material away.”
One trick Ford learned is to set the weight-bearing surface of the shoe with super glue before gluing on the shoe but after the foot is prepped. For Ford, it takes the stress out of gluing and allows farriers to work on the ground.
A modest amount of urethane or acrylic glue is applied through the openings in the cuff, and then the foot is wrapped in plastic. This compresses the glue to the hoof wall and pushes any excess out, allowing for a smaller, smoother package. Ford recommends letting the glue sit for 10 minutes, or 20 minutes if it’s cold out, before finishing the foot. If applied correctly, the wings should be nearly seamless with the dorsal hoof wall.
“Especially for horses in wet environments, we’ll finish the dorsal wall in super glue,” he says. “We’re starting 5-10 mm below the hairline, applying your super glue and rubbing it all the way down into your glue work. It maintains the integrity of the shoeing.”
Maintaining a strict routine helps ensure a successful application time after time. Skipping the wire brush or the torch can result in a poor glue bond and a lost shoe on the track. The same type of care should be given to glue storage. Urethane or acrylic glue that has been heated or cooled to extremes will not function as well as an adhesive that has maintained a consistent cool temperature. The foot, the glue and the shoe should also be roughly the same temperature. Ford advises farriers use a heating pad in the winter and cooling techniques in the summer.
If using dental impression material or additional products in combination with a glue-on shoe, change gloves regularly and keep the foot clean. Any oil on the hoof will prevent the glue from setting.
Gain more insight by reading "Benefits & Application of Glue-Ons for Racehorses" in the April 2025 issue of American Farriers Journal.
