From Shoes to Magic Pad: A Guide to Transitioning to a Shoeless Equine

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The Magic Pad Shoeless Equine The concept of the magic pad shoeless equine is an innovative and controversial one in the world of horse care and hoof management. Traditional horseshoes have been used for centuries to protect horses' hooves and provide support, but some argue that they can also cause damage and restrict the natural movement of the horse's foot. The magic pad shoeless equine aims to address these concerns by offering a more natural and flexible alternative to traditional horseshoes. The magic pad shoeless equine consists of a flexible pad that adheres directly to the horse's hoof, providing protection and support without the need for nails or metal shoes. This pad is made from a durable yet lightweight material that allows for natural movement and provides shock absorption. It also has perforations that allow for air circulation and moisture control, which helps to prevent bacterial and fungal infections.


I use this multi-purpose epson salt poultice and it works really well with drawing out abscesses. It’s a wonderful product to have on hand in your tack room.

He is improving everyday and still manages a canter around is field and its only on the last couple of steps as he comes back to trot he is still not quite right. Boots and Pads A True Breakthrough In Healing 12-28-05 Pete Ramey Copyright 2005 Added 2017 More recently, I tend to use the Easyboot Gloves and Glove Glue-On Shells.

Magic pad shoeless equine

It also has perforations that allow for air circulation and moisture control, which helps to prevent bacterial and fungal infections. Proponents of the magic pad shoeless equine argue that it offers several advantages over traditional horseshoes. Firstly, it allows the horse's hooves to function more naturally, flexing and expanding with each step.

Magic pad shoeless equine

Boots and Pads: A True Breakthrough In Healing (12-28-05) Pete Ramey

Copyright 2005

Added 2017: More recently, I tend to use the Easyboot Gloves and Glove Glue-On Shells. Easyboot Epics are still my second choice when Glove sizes don’t go small or large enough, and when no one is available to heat fit the Gloves.

Read http://www.hoofrehab.com/GloveMod.html for updates. Pete

When I started my own journey away from metal shoeing and into the barefoot world in ’98, for a while, I thought of hoof boots simply as a crutch to help me through transition. When you pull shoes off a horse with truly healthy feet, or if you start natural hoof care with a foal there is little or no need for boots. In fact, if the diet is right and there is no permanent pathology, we usually only need them long-term when the riding terrain varies wildly from the living terrain. When you pull shoes off a horse with unhealthy feet, though, the boots are wonderful for keeping the horse and rider happy while we wait for the hooves to become healthy.

I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my career. At this point I have realized my biggest one was this under-use of hoof boots. I had my sights so set on the unequaled traction, health and energy dissipation of the barefoot horse, I was overlooking the quickest way to get there. I used to feel defeated when I had to use boots. I never realized how much I passed this feeling to my horse owners until I, myself, started looking at boots differently. At some point, I started considering hoof boots to be the 21 st century horseshoe. They allow us to have our cake and eat it too. We can provide the health and function of barefoot turnout and still protect the hooves when the demands of the rider exceed the current health and capabilities of the hoof. The owner continues using the horse while watching the health of the hooves steadily improve, rather than steadily becoming less healthy over the years as is often the case when horses are only capable of compensative movement under saddle.

Our own imaginations are the limit. Any traction device or traction reducing device that could possibly be attached to a hoof, can be attached to a hoof boot. I started requiring that customers buy boots when I pull shoes off unhealthy hooves. When they don’t need them anymore, I often buy them back and sell them “used” to someone else. When I shifted my business this way, my customer satisfaction increased dramatically. I got emotionally "done" with transition time and came to consider it a challenge and a personal responsibility to ensure that if the horse was rideable in its shoes when I arrived, it would be performing the same or better when I left. This attitude and added responsibility I took on sent me on a whirlwind of new learning. Often the boot alone wasn’t enough to achieve this, so I started experimenting with foam insoles and frog supports. To my excitement, I started finding that the boots with padded insoles could not only match the comfort level provided by fixed shoeing packages, they almost always exceed it dramatically.

I found that these methods could commonly get horses comfortable enough to ride when no fixed shoeing methods seemed to help. Of course once we get a lame horse comfortable enough for work, the added stimulation accelerates growth and increases circulation. It speeds up everything we’re trying to accomplish in growing healthy hooves, taking rehab times to amazing new speeds, compared to the old way of waiting through transition or healing time. I used to be very happy if I could start with a horse with a 15 degree P3 rotation or a navicular horse and get the owners riding the horse in a year. These days, I am really scratching my head if I can’t do it in a month. Basically, if there is not an abscess, chronic internal pathology or current acute laminitis we can find a boot/pad combination that puts the hooves to work (and often when these situations are present, we still can).

I put a lot of pressure on the professional trimmers that come to my clinics. In front of the vets and horse owners attending, I say that a competent natural hoof care professional must carry a full stock of hoof boots, a variety of pad material, and all the tools, materials and knowledge to customize the fit. The professional should leave the customer with a properly fitting boot that suits their needs and discipline. As the hoof changes the professional should automatically modify the boots to keep them fitting and providing for the support needs of the horse. This way, boot use adds one minute to the tacking up process for the owner, and the rest is just pure enjoyment.

Pete's corner office with a view:

The other side is filled with a variety of densities and thicknesses of foam pads, epoxies, impression material and casting material.

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Magic pad shoeless equine

This can lead to increased blood flow and improved overall hoof health. Secondly, the magic pad shoeless equine reduces the risk of injury caused by shoes that are too tight or ill-fitted. It also eliminates the need for frequent shoeing and allows for regular trimming and maintenance of the hoof. However, there are also critics of the magic pad shoeless equine who argue that it is not suitable for all horses or disciplines. They suggest that certain horses, particularly those with specific hoof conditions or conformation issues, may still require the support and protection that traditional horseshoes provide. Additionally, some trainers and riders may be hesitant to adopt the magic pad shoeless equine due to its unfamiliarity and lack of proven long-term effectiveness. In conclusion, the concept of the magic pad shoeless equine offers an intriguing alternative to traditional horseshoes. Its flexible and lightweight design aims to promote the natural movement and health of the horse's hooves. However, further research and education are needed to determine its efficacy and suitability for different horses and disciplines..

Reviews for "The Magic Pad Innovation: Maximizing Comfort and Protection for Barefoot Horses"

1. John - 1 star - I recently purchased the Magic pad shoeless equine for my horse, and I have to say, I was extremely disappointed. The product claimed to provide comfort and support to my horse's hooves, but it did the exact opposite. The pads didn't fit properly, and they caused my horse to be in discomfort and pain. Additionally, they didn't seem to offer any additional protection as they wore out very quickly. I would not recommend this product to anyone looking to provide their horse with proper hoof care.
2. Sarah - 2 stars - I had high hopes for the Magic pad shoeless equine, but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. The pads were difficult to install and didn't stay in place during exercise. They also caused my horse to feel unsteady, and I noticed a decrease in his performance. Furthermore, the product materials seemed cheap and didn't hold up well after just a few uses. Overall, I was not impressed with the Magic pad shoeless equine and would explore other options for my horse's hoof care.
3. Robert - 1 star - The Magic pad shoeless equine turned out to be a complete waste of money. The pads were advertised as providing a natural feel and support to my horse's hooves, but they did the opposite. My horse appeared uncomfortable and reluctant to move when wearing them. The pads also didn't fit properly, causing them to shift and slide off easily. I had high hopes for this product, but unfortunately, it failed to deliver even the most basic functionality. I would not recommend the Magic pad shoeless equine to any horse owner.

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