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CAN ANY FARRIER INTALL THE EASYWALKERS?
Any farrier can install the easywalkers as long as they can do a competent job of trimming and sizing. It is extremely important that they view the DVD installation guide prior to using the shoes (we send this free of charge with all first time orders or upon request by your farrier)
If your farrier has questions they may be answered in For the farriers .
MY HORSE SEEMS TO BE DOING FINE IN METAL SHOES WHY SHOULD I CHANGE TO EASYWALKERS ?
Firstly, a metal horse shoe is extremely rigid and does not allow the vertical movement of the hoof capsule as nature has intended, to balance unevenness of the ground.
The damage from shock and vibration caused by metal shoes are cumulative over time and the results may not be immediately apparent. Health care of a horse is no different from that of a human and prevention is always the best cure. Easywalkers provide health care for your horse over its entire life and the advantages may become visible only as the horse grows older.
WILL EASYWALKERS HELP WITH NAVICULAR, RINGBONE AND OTHER HOOF PROBLEMS?
Yes definitely - our greatest success stories so far with the shoes have been with horses suffering from concussion related injuries such as Navicular (either disease or syndrome), Ring Bone and Side bone. The results vary with each case but somewhere between 60-80% improvement in soundness is common.
If your vet or farrier needs to consult with our specialist farrier
or our consultant vet please get them to phone the free call number to arrange this.(1800058171)
WHAT SORT OF WEAR WILL MY HORSE GET FROM EASYWALKERS?
The shoes are reusable and most riders report at least two shoeings from one set. This of course depends upon how often your horse works, and on the type of surfaces you ride on.
Show jumpers, eventers dressage and pleasure riders are usually getting two shoeings from Easywalker. Pacers , gallopers or horses working predominately on bitumen get between
4-8 weeks. Endurance results are varied but this sport seems to wear them out quicker than any other, especially on rocky terrain. As a general rule you should expect similar wear to standard steel shoes.
DO I NEED STUDS ?
For competitive showjumpers and eventers we recommend to use studs as you would with metal shoes. Our inserts , drill bit and studs are all metric sizes and especially designed for the easywalkers.
MY HORSE HAS VERY THIN/BRITTLE WALLS CAN I GLUE THE EASYWALKERS ON ?
Yes we recommend gluing for thin or brittle walls. “Vetec” make a special glue called “Adhre” that works well with the easywalkers. Alternatively use a Mustard brand glue (available from most farrier supply stores).
Another solution for keeping shoes on horses with thin ( but not severely so) walls is to use a combination of nailing and Bond & Flex” .Your farrier will have information on this product.
WHY DO THE EASYWALKERS HAVE SIDE CLIPS AND A TOE CLIP ?
A - On traditional shoes without lateral clips, the shear forces that occur when turning, accelerating or stopping are absorbed only by the shaft of the nails in the hoof. In order to relieve this sensitive area from stress, easywalkers have lateral adjustable clips to relieve the stress on the nails and absorb the lateral energy into the outside of the hoof (its strongest point).
HOW ARE THE SHOES SHAPED TO FIT THE HOOF ?
Contrary to a steel shoe, which must be bent, easywalkers are cut to the shape of the hoof. The farrier trims the hoof as usual and then cuts away the surplus shoe material using his nippers.
WHY DO THE EASYWALKERS HAVE A MINI HEART BAR ?
A - When a horse if barefoot, the frog will always have ground contact and a substantial share of the load. This is essential to ensure proper blood circulation as the frog is a form of pump for the blood in the hoof. If the frog has no ground contact, as with standard horseshoes, the function of the frog is reduced, often to zero. This results in a reduction in the size and function of the frog, which will lead to a reduction in the size of the heel and may eventually lead to a case of Navicular or lameness.
In order to ensure proper ground contact similar to that of a barefoot horse, we've designed the shoe with a bridge that has a shape like the frog to ensure full function of the frog. In addition, the bridge gives the shoe stability when using studs for show jumping or other disciplines.
DO HORSES REQUIRE TIME TO ADJUST TO SYNTHETIC SHOES ?
Horses that have never been shod before don't require any adjustment period.
Some horses, that have a long history in metal shoes may require some time to get used to the new feeling of unrestricted movement and flexibility. Also, because the easywalkers suddenly allow correct vascular flow (like a barefoot hoof) a horse that has lost proprioception due to the constant restriction of metal shoes may take a day or two to adjust as the feeling returns.
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