b'STEP BY STEPfoot. For instance, the Soft-Ride boot is not designed to fit snugly at any time dur-ing the shoeing interval, Reilly says, and so hoof growth shouldnt impact the fit.The challenge with hoof boots meant for performance/riding, however, is getting and maintaining the correct fit around a hoof thats growing and chang-ing shape. We spend a lot of time and attention fitting a shoe in two dimensions and attaching it to the bottom of the foot, and those problems and challenges are compounded with a hoof boot because it must fit in three dimensions, says Reilly. The hard part is to maintain that fit over time. The more detailed your fit at the be-ginning of the shoeing interval, the more susceptible it is to the changes and shape FRANK SORGE/ARND.NLof the feet at the end. This can lead to rubs or sores above the hairline because the boots are not designed to accommodate those shape changes. To stay ahead of this issue, reas- Hoof pads made of silicone and other materials are easy to apply and help provide sole support and sess boot fit regularly and keep up to dateprotection.on hoof trims.Hoof Padsprotection during healing have also comeSTTOOPPTTHHEESSTTOOMMPP!!Pad materials for sole support orSa long way in the past two decades. Frog and sole support materials have evolvedUse loose- tting, chemical free duringy season from traditional oakum and pine tar, leather pads, and neoprene, says Burns.to prevent painfuly bites and reduce stressful stomping.Today we have many different silicones and pour-in pads that are easy to apply Prevents Botflies from laying eggs causing hoof damageand very effective. I still use some neo-Decreases healing time of abrasions and wounds prene or closed-cell foam pads in someby allowing air flowlaminitis cases, but having all the variety Easy to attach, comfortable to wear and will not sag of densities to match the horse perfectlydue to their unique sewn-in plastic staysis a huge improvement.We can have the pad as dense as the horse will allow, for adequate frog and sole support, yet soft enough to be com-fortable, and horses dont resent it, he continues. Having the variety to do this is a plus.Take-Home Message With a good farrier and many options in shoeing and padding materials and boots, our sources say most horses with hoof issues can become sound or con- Colors Available Exclusively Distributed By:tinue working in spite of their problems.Pink, Blue and OrangeThanks to high-tech hoof care advance- Sizes Availablements, farriers can now help horses inMini, Pony/DonkeyYearling, Small www.shooflyleggins.com QUALITYSERVICEINNOVATIONways that 20 years ago they didnt dreamMedium and Large Sizes Patented DesignUS6508205B1 www.stonemfg.netpossible.hTheHorse.com|The HorseMarch 202057StepByStep_Mar USE.indd 57 2/4/20 9:04 AM'