Imprint launch imprint sport shoe
Imprint Equine Foot Care chose the Festival of British Eventing to launch the latest addition to the range, the Imprint Sport Shoe.
One-Day Events present a particular combination of challenges for horse and rider, so this competition at Gatcombe Park in early August provided a relevant backdrop.
During a short presentation to the equine press, Jane Holderness-Roddam introduced the flexible and light-weight shoe made from modern plastic materials. Likening the comfort experienced by the horse that of ‘crocs’ as worn by humans, she was also able to share her own experience of the new shoe. Having had her own event horse, Ike, shod a number of times, Jane commented that she had been seeing ongoing improvements in the horse’s performance and hoof condition since he was fitted with Imprint Sport Shoes.
Andrew Poynton FWCF, who heads up the company, went on to explain a little more about the new shoe. Andrew is a farrier who specialises in remedial farriery and developed the Imprint mouldable horse shoe originally for that purpose.
The Sport Shoes are specifically aimed at the performance horse and are designed to provide a protective role to maintain the integrity of the hoof wall over a variety of different surfaces and paces.
The shoes are made from modern, composite polymers which when heated become malleable and capable of taking on any shape. Once cooled the plastic hardens to the same toughness as the hoof itself and assumes a role as part of the hoof. It achieves an excellent fit helping to restore natural hoof movement whilst providing shock absorption and cushioning qualities.
Andrew was clear to point out that he too came from the rich heritage of traditional farriery passed down through the centuries and was not about to throw the baby out with the bath water, but it was generally acknowledged that sometimes horses have problems and conventional nailed-on horseshoes can have limitations.
We understand that so far that has been a steady take up of farriers attending the Imprint training courses to learn how to fit the shoes and that the craft appears receptive to the concept.
Imprint aren’t the first to make shoes from material other than steel, but this certainly seems to be something we will be hearing a lot more about. www.imprintshoes.co.uk
New C Line Horseshoe Nails
Mustad have just launched a new range of E Head Nails for farriers that are looking to save money, the new nails are designed to fit between an standard E head and a E Slim nails giving you the best of both nails but reducing the amount of sizes farriers have to carry in their van.
The nails are very competitively priced against other cheaper brand nails currently on the market and are available for immediate despatch.
New Concave Side Clipped Fronts
Early this year Arthur Cottam Horseshoes launched a range of NEW side clipped fronts to supply the growing demand by farriers for a front shoe with a strong broad toe shape in traditional concave sections.
The shoe was completely redesigned for the UK Farrier with extra nail holes, the correct positioning of nail holes and clips allowing for accurate fitting the of shoe under the foot, the strong toe shape is safed off to help increase the hoof break over.
They are very competitively priced and are proving fantastically popular, if you have not yet seen them give us a call and ask for a free sample pair
For more information contact Arthur Cottam & Co, Carrwood Rd, Chesterfield Trading Estate, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S41 9QB, Phone 01246 453672 or email [email protected] web www.cottamhorseshoes.com
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Product news from Stromsholm
NEW from Kerckhaert the Classic Roller Unclipped available in sizes 0 & 1 in 22x08 section and 2 in 24x08 section, call stromsholm for details.
Maddox Nails have added to their range the popular MX nails call stromsholm for details 01908 233909 www.stromsholm.co.uk.
Vets and farriers sought to join Equinalysis as elite referral partners
As horse owners become increasingly knowledgeable about matters of equine soundness, locomotion screening is enjoying a high profile. Equinalysis, a company carrying out video-based gait screening through a network of clinicians, would like to recruit a team of ‘referral partners’, a network of leading equine practitioners, predominantly vets and farriers.
Using a system of markers placed on key joints and areas on the body, Equinalysis practitioners can narrow down key areas of concern to a limb, or portion of the limb. The resulting information can be invaluable for professionals in terms of assisting their diagnosis.
“An referral partner (RP) will be a leading practitioner; we are especially interested in recruiting vets or farriers,” says Equinalysis’ Managing Director, Walter May. “RPs will provide equine screening services, but be limited to using the Equinalysis system at a central location, typically within their practice premises, as an adjunct to their existing practice. An RP would not be assigned a geographical area, or offer a mobile service, as our existing business partners (PBs) provide. We envisage a ratio of around 5:1, between BPs and RPs. Local BPs would liaise and work with their local farrier or vet RP, referring certain equine cases, and working jointly on cases where veterinary and/or farriery is a key requirement.”
BPs pay an accreditation fee to Equinalysis, as well as a percentage of their screening fees – Walter anticipates that RPs would work with Equinalysis in a similar way, although they would pay a lower annual accreditation fee. “We would expect our RP’s to identify and work with Equinalysis and its advisorsto develop new processes and procedures for specific equine problems,” he adds.
An open day is being held on April 10, at Kilbees Farm Stud (www.kilbeesfarmstud.co.uk) in Windsor, Berks, from 3 to 7 pm.
For information, please email [email protected], call 01291 671351 or visit www.equinalysis.co.uk
It is not only ponies that get laminitis!
It has always been thought that laminitis only ever affected small, fat, unfit ponies! While this may still be true we must all think again! Horses are also just as likely to suffer an attack of laminitis especially if their diet and relative exercise programme are out of balance.
“A typical example recently referred to me was a 16.3 hh warmblood gelding who was treated for laminitis using Imprint First support shoes”, explains Andrew Poynton, FWCF. The horse had been exercised regularly with an appropriate diet to meet his nutritional needs. Everything was fine until his training programme changed – but not his dietary intake! He quickly developed typical laminitic symptoms and his vet prescribed support shoes, which offer immediate pain relief and crucial support for the laminitic horse.
The increase in the number of laminitic horses has led Imprint Equine Foot Care to extend its Imprint First range to include shoes specifically for the larger horse.
Firstly, a new ‘round’ front shoe has been developed specifically to accommodate the needs and anatomy of the broader, flatter foot and overall weight of the larger horse. It has a stronger frog cradle resulting in a more supportive shoe for this shape and size of foot and the seating angle makes it more comfortable for feet with thinner or prolapsed soles.
Secondly, a new hind shoe, joins the range which exhibits all the same qualities as the existing shoe but being the correct shape for the hind foot, minimal moulding is needed, making it quicker and easier to fit.
“These additional shoes mean that even more laminitic horses can be treated,” concludes Andrew, “and with the laminitis season now upon us be sure to encourage your clients to manage their horse’s dietary intake. If you see any signs of laminitis, treat the condition as an emergency and fit Imprint First support shoes. They inhibit pedal bone descent and provide invaluable support for unstable feet”.
www.imprintshoes.co.uk
Introducing the Equus Performance horseshoe
Equus Imports claims to offer the ‘latest in a new generation of readymade horseshoes designed for balanced shoeing’. This shoe is said to have been designed to be fitted hot or cold with little or no adjustment, even on ‘in between’ size hooves.
To open the shoe, simply use your pull-off’s as illustrated. To close the shoe, hit the diagonal heel to toe quarter.
Available in five sizes, from 4 to 5 inch, the Equus Performance shoe range caters for the majority of mid size horses. The company plans to produce five more sizes offering a full range of balanced shoes.
Some of the unique features of this shoe include:
• Location marks for pin/stud holes • Rolled toe to help break over• Broad inner dimension to support sole• Clean nail holes designed for E-head nails• Made from high quality mild steel
This versatile shoe fits both front and hind feet. In general we fit one size smaller on the hind foot than the front. This allows for variations in pedal bone size and shape.
Although not essential, it is recommended that 5.1 mm tungsten pins are used with this shoe. The reasons for this are:
• Four pins in each shoe will extend the life of the shoe and allow more re-sets (The pins are re-usable).• Pins in the toe of the shoe will maintain the correct point of break over• Pins in the shoe will give extra grip on road and concrete surfaces. • Stud holes can be drilled or punched.
When the shoe is fitted front and hind the horse is balanced and this allows it to move in the way its body was designed to, meaning that there is far less risk of injury through over-reach, tripping, stumbling, and, of course, the better a horse is balanced the less likely it is to suffer from long term problems such as navicular disease, tendon strain, side-bone, ring-bone, and so on.
To purchase Equus Performance Horseshoes contact www.equusimports.co.uk
Hoof pads
AIRshod™ is an inflatable air-bladder horseshoe support pad with an air valve. It is a single unit, eliminating messy mixing and the need to carry additional materials. The product was developed in the USA to make horses more comfortable, and help to extend their usefulness.
Using AIRshod™ on healthy, balanced hooves is said to help prolong soundness. These pads will:
· Support the entire hoof capsule
· Maintain a proper arch in the hoof
· Keep proper hoof angle
· Support the entire bone column from hoof to shoulder
· Uphold medial and lateral balance
· Balance gaits
· Decrease the likelihood of stone bruises
· Improve surface purchase (the key to good performance, regardless of riding discipline)
· Improve overall hoof-related soundness
Using a hoof pad can help alleviate symptoms associated with:
· Bruised soles
· Uneven hoof angles
· Under-run heels
· Acute laminitis
· Quarter and heel cracks
· Ringbone and sidebone
· Other bone column and hoof related conditions
Pads are available in three sizes. Easy to fit, no special tools required.
For further information, please see www.airshodeu.com, or contact the distributors, Equine Advance, telephone 01543 254983, email [email protected]
NEW TO THE UK – THE EPONASHOE
The EponaShoe is a flexible horseshoe which makes use of three types of polymer to create the most effective flexible shoe design ever. Flexible shoes are the ideal tradeoff between what is natural for the horse, and the demands we ask of the horse.
Designed to be used on performance horses across the disciplines, they also have many remedial uses including heel pain, flat soles, navicular, ringbone and laminitis.
Sally Bell began using the EponaShoes on her horse 8 months ago, and has been so impressed with them that she is now importing the shoes from the USA to make them easily available. Sally competes her horse in Dressage and Horse Trials and has found the shoes perform well in all situations. She says: ‘If you imagine running down a road in a pair of ‘smart’ leather shoes, and then imagine doing the same in a pair of Nike trainers – that’s the difference! It has made a huge difference to my horse’s performance, he is able to move unrestrictedly which has led to increased power and expression’.
FIVE WAYS THE EPONASHOE IS BETTER FOR YOUR HORSE:
- Frog support – Traditional shoes lift the frog off the ground unnaturally preventing the normal action of the frog.
- Shock absorption – EponaShoes act as a shock absorber for your horse – hit a metal shoe with a hammer, then an EponaShoe - you’ll feel the difference!
- Allows the hoof to flex – The shoes’ mechanical properties are much closer than those of metal to hoof keratin, thus allowing the whole hoof to flex, much like a barefoot horse. Research shows this aids in pumping blood, promoting a healthier foot.
- The Bevel at the toe is unrestrictive – If the farrier doesn’t get it quite right, the horse will wear the bevel as needed, avoiding weeks of discomfort until the next shoeing.
- Lightweight – Much lighter than conventional metal shoes, meaning the horse moves with more natural biomechanics – less stress and strain on joints and ligaments – reduced injury risks and a longer competitive career.
The shoes can be nailed on, glued on, or a combination of both, and are very easy to fit with no special tools required. The horse’s foot can also be packed before the shoe is applied with a breathable support material, thus supporting the sole and frog – this allows the whole foot to bear weight and function properly, thus making it healthier and more able to cope with the stresses we put it under.
The shoes are available with options of carbide tips and/or stud holes, depending on the type of work your horse does. The shoeing cycle is about the same as for conventional metal shoes. They will retail at about £25 per pair depending on size/shoe option/glue/packing etc.
FIND OUT MORE AT OUR FREE TALK AND SHOEING DEMONSTRATION…
Representing EponaShoe, farrier/trimmer Daisy Bicking will be giving a talk on all aspects of the EponaShoe, followed by a shoeing demonstration to show how easy it is, on Wednesday 16th April, 2pm at The Mendip Stud, Bow Farm, Badgworth, Somerset BS26 2QA.
The talk is aimed at farriers, vets, and any riders/trainers who would like to find out more. Please book your place with Sally Bell on 07990 973913 or 01275 475003.
EponaShoe also have a fantastic website at www.eponashoe.com with all the information you could wish for and many articles and case studies. Please also feel free to call Sally who will be happy to help you with any questions you may have.