Posted by LoveMySpots on 6/26/2012, 11:53 am 12.185.27.253
I keep my mare barefoot and she does just fine on small gravel/groomed surfaces. I have boots for trails, etc. However, I recently went to a show at a facility that had a pretty rocky arena. I think maybe they had tractored it to deep and brought up the big rocks underneath. Any rate, she was a bit foot sore after jumping there.
I want to give her feet a little protection for our next show. Since it's a hunter/jumper event, I can't really use her Gloves and gaiters. I was hoping for something a little less conspicuous. Has anyone used Vettec Sole-Gard or ridden with casts on? I just need protection for the weekend so it doesn't have to be a super long lasting fix.
You can also glue a shoe over a cast - I've glued St Croix aluminum eventers to casts with Vettec Adhere and they stayed on great for about 3 weeks I've also glued used Epona shoes to cast and they stay on VERY well.
I've done a ton of riding, as many of clients have also done, in casts. You just need to add something to the bottom so that they don't wear through quickly.
How do they hold up in moisture?
Posted by Horse n hound on 6/29/2012, 9:43 am, in reply to "I'd use casts"
I worry about the longetivity of casts in bathing, or water or mud along a trail, arena moisture at a show, etc. Do they have to be kept dry?
Blessed with wonderful horses and amazing friends! Elk Grove, Sac County
Nope - I've used them all winter. They work just fine. I do like to apply an adhesive, such as Vettec Adhere or Sole Guard to the walls just before casting, especially in wet conditions. My casts generally last at least 3 weeks as long as there is something added to the bottom to keep them from wearing through at the ground surface. You can make a "shoe" out of Vettec Superfast, or glue an aluminum or plastic shoe to the casts.
I've also glued used Epona shoes to cast and they stay on VERY well. 
