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Rubber Pads (Horseshoe)

Introduction

For horses, rubber pads are occasionally used in conjunction with metal horseshoes for a variety of purposes, including protecting the sole of the hoof or preventing the build up of ice and snow in the shoe. These pads are most frequently seen among performance horses, older horses, or horses with hoof weakness/deformities, and among horses that live in climates that experience heavy annual snowfall. Rubber pads do not replace metal shoes, nor can they be used without a metal shoe holding it in place. Rubber pads come in many shapes, sizes, thicknesses, and textures, all for different purposes. A rubber pad is generally used for at least one of two purposes: to protect or elevate the sole of the foot, or to correct a deformity.

Parts of the Hoof: If you need a refresher on the parts of the hoof, look here.

Whether it is a full or half pad, the rubber pad is attached underneath the metal shoe, which is nailed between the white line and water line of the hoof. This process causes no pain to the horse as, like human nails, there are no pain receptors in that section of the hoof. From the outside the hoof is a half moon shape, but it is also concave: the rounded section (the white line and outwards) touches the ground while the frog is lifted so it does not generally make contact. The sole of the foot is higher still and almost never normally touches the ground unless the horse steps on uneven soil or rocky footing. The sole and frog are much softer than the hoof wall, and so are more prone to bruising, scrapes, abscesses, and other injuries that lead to lameness. A rubber pad may only follow the shape of the horse shoe, extending slightly over the sole of the hoof, or could go so far as to cover the entirety of the bottom side of the hoof. These full pads are generally filled with silicon or another hardening agent to prevent any unwanted outer particles or moisture from entering via the heel bulbs or frog and causing discomfort or infection. See the following forum for complaints on horses whose pads are not filled.

The Purpose(s) of Hoof Pads:

Weak Walls: In horses with weak or thin hoof walls, rubber pads encourage the frog and sole of the foot to bear some of the load, distributing the horse’s weight more evenly on the hoof and away from the weakened walls. One consideration of this, of course, is that the hoof is traditionally designed to elevate the frog from the ground to prevent soreness and injury, so these horses may be more susceptible to bruising in some cases.

Bruises: In the case of uneven or poor footing, horses may develop bruising on the soles or frogs of their hooves. These can be protected with a full flat pad (a smooth pad that merely covers the area, designed for protection)

The Three Main Categories of Hoof Pads:

1. Emergency Boots (Hoof Boots): Like human fingernails, horses’ hooves are constantly growing and require trims when shod, usually every 5-6 weeks. Some horses can live successful lives without shoes, but many working horses (whether for sport or physical labour) require shoes to maintain soundness and longevity. When a horse loses a shoe, usually by stepping on themselves and pulling it off, they are at risk of lameness. For this purpose, hoof boots were created. These boots are just that: made of a combination of rubber and metal, they cover most or all of the hoof and offer temporary protection from the loss of a shoe. For some barefoot horses, hoof boots are worn only when they are ridden, particularly on rocky terrain or uneven footing. This is typically to avoid the use of shoes and allow the horse to go barefoot, which could be best for the animal for a variety of reasons. One consideration with hoof boots is proper fit and placement: improperly fitting equipment risks injury to both horse and rider, and so should be approached with appropriate caution.

2. Full Pads: There are many types of full pads, ranging from the heavy duty “bubble” pad, so named for the large rubber bubble protruding from the pad, to the sleek competition pad. A full pad is designed for full coverage, and is typically sealed with a hardening agent to prevent debris or moisture from entering the hoof.

3. Half Pads: A half pad follows the shape of the horseshoe and does not offer any frog protection and only minimal sole protection. These pads are generally designed to add support to the hoof wall or to prevent the build up of snow and ice within the hoof that could cause a snowball within the hoof in the winter. A half pad may also cover only part of the hoof – half of the front or half of the back. These pads are generally corrective and protective, and cover only part of the frog or part of the sole, respectively. This type of half pad is less frequently used (see: pairing rubber with bar shoes) primarily because the interior is more likely to become packed with debris that can be difficult to remove, which could lead to infection and irritation in the hoof.

Seasonal-Use Pads:

Performance Pads (for competition equines): Many performance (specifically jumping, dressage, and cross country) horses wear full pads during the competition season to protect the soles of their feet. These pads are slender and lightweight, designed to protect the sole and frog without creating a bulky or annoying shape at the bottom of the hoof. Performance equines will usually wear these pads only during the competition season and then may have them removed during the off-season, depending on the horse’s natural hoof integrity.

Summer Dryness & Flies: In the summer (or hot seasons, or fly seasons, depending on the region) many horses stomp their feet as they swish their tails to rid themselves of annoying flies and bugs buzzing around them. On ground packed hard with constant walking and dry weather further hardening the earth, it is common to see some cracks along the hoof walls of unshod – or even shod! – hooves. Rubber pads, often full pads, can help to distribute the force of the hoof as it slams into the ground as it retains its shape, helping to prevent cracks from forming. Another attribute of seasonal summer pads is that they are often filled with silicon or another material, which serves to seal the hoof. This can seal moisture in or out, depending on the method employed, and can assist in maintaining a hydrated hoof, which in turn works to prevent further cracks. A disadvantage to moisture sealed into the hoof is its inability to air out. This can soften the frog to the point that the horse risks injury should they have the pads removed, and can be an expensive investment if the horse can no longer go without rubber pads. The question of whether the pad does more harm than good if it becomes a crutch should be posed when considering long term goals and expectations for the horse and should be discussed with both a vet and farrier.

Winter De-icing Protection: Due to the concave shape of the hoof, snow and ice occasionally become packed under the hoof (whether shod or not) and can cause a ice/snowball on which a horse will likely slip and have difficulty walking. In extreme cases, the horse may injure itself trying to free the snow and ice from its hooves. Specialized rubber pads, such as the snow pad or bubble pad, were designed to prevent the buildup of ice and snow in the hoof. The snow pad is a half pad that juts over the sole of the hoof from the shoe and creates a shape that encourages any snow or ice that is stepped on to fall back out (it cannot build up if it cannot find purchase or a place to pack into). These pads are not infallible and snow and ice can still wind up in the hoof. Bubble pads are full pads with a rubber bubble protruding from the centre that completely prevents the buildup of ice and snow in the pad. It also comes with the added benefit of the bubble, which increases the contact surface area of the hoof, almost like walking with a cane or the training wheels on a tricycle. One drawback to this pad is that in cases where snow is infrequent or intermittent, the bubble can place pressure on the frog and sole of the hoof and cause bruising, which in turn can cause lameness.

Thrush Protection:

Thrush is a bacterial infection in the hoof that thrives in dark, moist, and warm conditions. In extreme cases, it can cause substantial hoof death and even split the heel bulbs into distinct parts. This can cause lameness. Thrush can be treated with a variety of topical ointments, powders, and creams, both prescription and over-the-counter, but for horses prone to thrush, considering a full pad during the wet seasons might be a beneficial preventative measure. Full pads that are sealed with silicon prevent moisture and debris from entering and infecting the hoof, and while a relatively expensive measure, may prevent thrush entirely and thus prevent lameness.

Risks and Considerations:

As with anything, rubber pads come with their own set of risks and considerations. Occasionally, certain rubber pads (like the bubble pad) can cause a ring of bruising around the frog, which can cause discomfort and even lameness. Another concern is the buildup of infection or moisture underneath the pad if the silicone sealant does not set correctly or is omitted. Infection can be difficult to spot if the pad is covering the affected area, and hoof death is an increased risk when infections are allowed to thrive for much longer than they normally would before being diagnosed and treated. Finally, the use of rubber pads can be a “choose the lesser evil” situation: some horses develop a dependence on the pads and are liable to go lame without them, which outside of being an expensive process, can be difficult to manage if for some reason the horse’s hoof needs to breathe (be without shoes or pads) or experiences complications with the rubber pads. Just as human beings who never wear shoes build up resistance in the soles of their feet and can withstand walking on many uneven terrains, and the opposite is true of humans who only wear shoes to go outside, the same can be said to a degree for horses. While rubber pads can be used to protect or correct a problem, they can also be “overly preventative,” which is to say they can sometimes cause problems that would not have otherwise presented. Use of rubber pads should always be a conversation between owner, farrier, and vet, and should be reviewed each season with the benefit of the animal as the foremost deciding factor.

Sources: Hoof Diagram: Shod: Utility of Hoof Pads: Equine Thrush: Snow in Hoof: Bubble Pad: Cracked hoof: Hoof forum: Hoof boots: Horse Boot Fitting:

Chehalis, WRI3225G-650 CheNew8 (talk) 23:00, 17 March 2020 (UTC)