Regardless of the reason for using hoof packing, the options have certainly broadened since pine tar and oakum were the preferred ingredients for many applications. This is especially true when using packing to provide sole support.

Whether it is through old trusted methods, impression materials and liquids/gels, there are a variety of solutions for addressing sole support. Likewise, there are plenty of opinions on the subject, covering differences in what’s accomplished structurally and the effectiveness of the delivered application.

What’s Going On?

Mike Savoldi, who heads the Equine Research Center in Shannon, Calif., is in favor of competent farriers supplying sole support in cases that need it. He says to be successful in treating these cases, one must understand what is going on with the internal structures.

The former resident farrier at California State Polytechnic University does say he is reluctant to use the word support because many farriers will say you can’t support a sole on a foot. Savoldi argues that a horse’s…