When Jackson, the subject of American Farriers Journal’s 1 Horse, 1 Farrier 1 Year project, showed signs of being tenderfooted, his farrier turned to the basics.

Two weeks after initially applying Glushu glue-on shoes with Vettec Equi-Pak pour-in pads, Jackson began to move as though his feet were tender. His stride shortened slightly, and his usual confidence on firmer footing diminished. Recognizing that even subtle changes in movement can signal deeper hoof comfort issues, his farrier Esco Buff returned to reassess his setup with the owner.

“There were no increased heat or pulses in any of the hooves,” writes the International Horseshoeing Hall of Famer. “Using an infrared thermometer, I found no significant temperature differences between the two hooves. The next step was to remove the Equi-Pak pour-in material and test the soles and frogs for a response to hoof testing. No positive response was noted.”

After discussing the findings with his owner, they concluded that Jackson likely needed firmer frog support than the initial pour-in provided. In Buff’s experience, horses with developing arthritic and caudal hoof changes often benefit from targeted frog loading to stabilize the back of the foot and reduce potential pressure on sensitive solar regions.

Custom Solution

Buff fabricated a customized frog support system to address the issue without removing his current glue-on shoes.

“I created a firm, pour-in frog platform using Vettec Super Fast that’s designed to provide positive engagement and load sharing through the frog,” he writes. “I then applied Mustad ComfortMix as a complementary sole pour around the firmer frog support to maintain sole support, sole protection and moderate shock absorption (Figure 1).”

Jackson’s owner reported the next day that he was once again moving freely and comfortably. His stride had lengthened, his transitions improved and his willingness to move across gravel returned. The balance of firmness and flexibility between the two different pour-in materials appeared to meet his mechanical and comfort needs.

Learn More

Gain more insights from Jackson by visiting the 1 Horse, 1 Farrier, 1 Year series landing page.