Building Glue-On Shoes for a Horse with Laminitis

The recent advances in Glue On shoes have been a boon for horses with chronic hoof issues and the equine care professionals treating them. Glue-ons provide an important option when the goal is to add protection to the foot and allow the hoof to regrow naturally without the invasive elements of nailed shoes that can aggravate already inflamed and sensitive tissues… assuming there is even enough hoof wall to nail into.

Podiatrist Brandon King, DVM is an expert in modifying glue-ons for therapeutic cases, and Noble Farriery’s latest video on YouTube presents a detailed overview of one such case at Pilchuck Veterinary Hospital. The horse, who was initially admitted for laminitis, was stricken with intense pain. King initial stabilized him with pain control, soft boots, and stall rest, and in the video the horse is having his specialized glue shoe clogs reset and specifically designed to realign the hoof capsule and the rotated coffin bone (P3).

King explains the critical importance of addressing the misalignment between the hoof capsule and the coffin bone and the “slipper foot” conformation that follows and compromises hoof function. To counter this, the hoof is first trimmed carefully to restore the palmar angle close to zero by lowering the heels and trimming the toe. This aids in minimizing pressure on the coffin bone and deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT), which are major contributors to rotation and pain.

Before he sets to work, King evaluates biomechanics through X-rays, ensuring the optimal breakover point to improve mobility and decrease the tension and stress caused by laminitis. The shoeing process that follows involves custom fitting, layering various adhesives, and modifying glue-on shoes with pads and stacked rim pads that create a synthetic concavity under the hoof for strength and comfort. Padding materials give the sole relief while maintaining weight-bearing support on stronger parts of the hoof.

Within the span of the hoeing, the horse’s comfort improves significantly, though continuous monitoring and adjustments will be necessary as new hoof growth occurs. We end on a hopeful note about the horse’s recovery journey.

Watch the video on YouTube below.