How to Make Shoe Covers for Horse Hooves

Covering your horse's hooves can be an important part of its treatment for chronic laminitis, navicular disease, punctures, sole bruising, contracted heels, lower limb or hoof problems, and recovery and rehabilitation after surgery or injury. Shoe covers can also be used as protection for horses that cannot tolerate prolonged time on hard surfaces, as emergency shoe replacement, as a defense against splits and nicks when unshod, or as therapy boots. Therapeutic hoof covers and pads reduce strain on joints and the connective tissue surrounding them, and enable the horse stay comfortably mobile while healing.

Things You'll Need

  • Cardboard
  • Retractable-blade knife
  • Duct tape
  • Vet wrap
  • 3-inch thick blue construction-grade Styrofoam
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Instructions

    • 1

      Tie the horse to a post or put him in cross ties, remove the shoes and clean his hooves.

    • 2

      Place a piece of cardboard on the ground and have the horse stand on it. Draw an outline of the horse's foot, making it a half-inch larger than the actual hoof.

    • 3

      Cut two Styrofoam placements for each hoof with a retractable-blade knife, using the cardboard template as a guideline.

    • 4

      Pack the bottom of the hoof with a golf-ball-sized dollop of the sole paste of your choice, firmly smoothing it across the entire hoof bottom, all the way to the outer edges of the hoof wall.

    • 5

      Tape the Styrofoam to the bottom of the hoof, and allow the horse to stand on it for five minutes. As the horse stands on the Styrofoam, its weight crushes the foam into the exact shape, angles and support it needs.

    • 6

      Apply a second layer of Styrofoam below the first layer to support the coffin bone. Tape the hoof and wrap the foot with the vet wrap to hold it securely in place. The wrapping should extend 1 to 2 inches above the coronary band.

    • 7

      Pack the horse's stall or enclosure with sawdust or shavings for comfort, and ensure the area is clean.

    • 8

      Move the horse to its stall or enclosure, encouraging the horse to rest and preferably lie down.

    • 9

      Remove the packing the next morning if the horse's feet are only slightly bruised or sore. If the horse is suffering from a wound, injury or laminitis, contact your veterinarian immediately for further care.