Treating a Horse With Low Heels - Using Digital Support Pads Farriery Tutorial

[@IAIWE]

Great video! I hope we can get a short follow-up video on this horse in about 4-6 months, that would be interesting!

[@cakedesigner]

You have the absolute best farrier and anatomy videos I’ve watched, I just love watching and learn so much !! Thanks for making them!

[@Farrierdownunder]

One of the best instructional videos I've seen.

[@frankleone8695]

Thank you Dr Simon Curtis for sharing this video

[@JavierBonillaC]

That’s impressive. Hope you have a video of months later to see if the heel grew.

[@spencerhazelwood9355]

good video guys! awesome to see sam find a niche and we look forward to more to come!

[@McChrister]

I am laughing at the beautiful horse in the background vying for your attention. He is too funny, what a character! LoL....😂👍🏼🐴 Great job on the feet, Sir!🙌🏼🙏🏼🍀

[@Shadeskast]

Well done fellas. Ready for the show!

[@bernicedanahay7851]

My Big horse needs you, loved the video.

[@RobinFinnell]

Can we see a follow-up, @Dr Simon?

[@luksurias]

Thank you Sir.

[@cbsmitty7281]

I wish you were in the States.. I'd love to pick your brain and ride with you a bit.. Just the way you speak, not down to people, was extremely helpful.. Can't say thank you enough.. Have a great day 😁

[@simoncurtis393]

That is very kind, thank you. I do (once this virus is out of the way) speak frequently in the States. So I hope to see you sometime. Simon

[@cbsmitty7281]

@@simoncurtis393 Yes Sir.. I look forward to it.. I've watched just about every thing I can find from you online, and pod cast i listed too.. Take care and have a Great Rest of your Day 😁.. I'm looking forward to finding a copy of your Book on The Farrier. Tgr pictures I've seen so far are pretty Cool.. I really like the idea of the understanding of the History of how it came about.. The reeds in Egypt tombs and leather bound shoes from Greece and the Roman styling.. I surely appreciate what we have now. 😂 Take care Mr. Simon's i don't Facebook but have just started instant gram acct. Smithshodhorses78.

[@chrisbutenko8974]

I would like to second your comments on Mr. Curtis' demeanor and also compliment his shoeing on this horse. I don't think this particular horse could have been done better. Well fit shoe, nice blunt toe. Great system for the horse's problem. I believe this horse's foot probably felt better and will grow in much better. Also very well done on the video presentation. Concise, full of information, professional, and no unnecessary distractions. My first time seeing this farrier, but he reminds me of the great British clinicians (Bob Marshal, Dave Duckett, and Grant Moon), who have been so helpful to me. I'll be watching more.

[@meganpahl3612]

Thank you for your video. I have an arabian who has the arabian high/low in the front. My farrier addressed this by doing what we see in this video. My question is this, her right front hoof seems flatter in the sold to me. The frig is nearly level with the sole and the toe always seems to grow outward faster than it should. She is barefoot but I wonder if I should shoe a horse like this. Could you offer any advice just as informational data suggesting when it is good to shoe and when it is not?

[@sunnahberkuda8574]

Thanks 👍

[@shmeeden]

Is there a reason the bars weren't trimmed back as well? Or did we just not see it happen in the edit? They look underrun and laid over too, and they'll just keep pulling the heels under if they're not also taken back.

[@allisonm6622]

Yes very interesting. Watching from USA. My horse in hoof heel wedges with material injected in like the dental material. He’s been shod like this for about five months. He’s doing well. What does he transition to? Normal shoes? Farrier who started doing him to far away to continue going there and farrier at home new to this method but has done a good job.

[@horseshoe182]

i've had success with castle frog support pads. it helps imo, to turn the horse out for 1 or 2 shoe cycles , i order to drop the heels and it will bring the heels and frog into alignment, then add the frog support pads.

[@DirkWinters]

nice video. i always like to use RWL sport shoe foam, witch extend a bit. and gives it a bit more presure, to release some weight from the heels. but awesome and clear video :)

[@HoofStudies]

Great video Simon!. In New Zealand, we often blend in copper sulphate crystals into the the DIM to help prevent thrush. Is that done in the UK? Also that you said that this is not a long term fix, and that you would use this to start the process to bring the heels back. How long would it take to see some improvement in the heels placement? Are we talking about months? I have a TB with the same issue, so am keen to explore all options for him.

[@elskysto1]

In my experience it takes about 3 shoeing cycles at 5-6 week intervals.

[@simoncurtis393]

Sorry Lindsey, missed this. Yes we do. Simon

[@kakomoraes1]

Hello Dr Simon, your video is very interesting! What's the brand of the hoof pad?

[@DrSimonCurtis]

Thanks Kako. These are Michael Puhl pads.

[@lesvenola2380]

Thank you Dr Curtis. I have been working on a very large warm blood who has the worst crushed heel/ flat foot I have come across. The horse has been lame off and on for seven years before I got to him. I started him with a rolled toe heart bar aluminium shoe and then went to a Jim Blurton graduated frog support shoe with Vettec between the bar and the frog. He improved and was sound for a year or so, we got his toe back and started to gain some heel but the heels crushed again when we went back to a standard shoe. He now seems to go good for a while once he is back in work then goes backwards again. My question is: I am keen to try these pads and dental stuff. This horse is extremely flat in the one foot and I know he would be sound with the wedged pad, but can I keep him in the wedged pad permanently to improve his Palmer angle? I would be interested to hear what you have found, thank you.🇦🇺

[@simoncurtis393]

I have known horses to be permanently in PM pads underfilled with DIM but it is not ideal. Never-the-less, if that is what keeps them sound, sobeit. Vettec has great products but the advantage of the method that I showed, is that it really engages the whole foot in a way that is as close to nature as possible. Try a few shoeings with the wedge pads and then try dropping to the flat ones. Best of luck, Simon. And let us know how it goes.

[@lesvenola2380]

Simon Curtis thank you for the reply. I am definitely going to try this method as I like the fact that it doesn’t involve a bar, the last farrier had welded wedges onto the shoe making it very heavy . He also had those plastic wedges between the shoe and heel that crushed the heel and I believe the blood circulation and natural movement of the foot was compromised as it looked terrible but that issue completely changed after I did him the first time. The horse also had ultra thin soles which has improved but I was still doing a pour in pad plus bar shoe making it expensive for the owner but these pads you use contain both. I will let you know how I go and thank you again for posting this. It is a fantastic thing now to have access to farriers like yourself world wide via KZbin etc where as 30+40 years ago you were limited to the occasional seminar or if you were lucky finding a more experienced farrier who was willing to pass on some of his knowledge, this is a great development.

[@lakagranger3012]

@@lesvenola2380 I would love to know if it worked. My horse has the same problem and we are going to try this with the next shoeing

[@lesvenola2380]

@@lakagranger3012 I did use this method and both the horse and I liked it. The problem with this horse I was working on was that there was just no fixing the problems as his feet and conformation/ size/weight was all against him. If I had got to him several years ago there may have been a small chance. Using this method worked with the horse in the short term, you would have him standing beautifully and he would be sound but once the owner increased the work up to his performance level or we started to return him to standard shoeing he would go sore again and his heels would start going backwards. The owner gave him an early retirement. I would highly recommend this method and also the other way I was treating him as both were excellent. It is definitely worth the money and effort as there are many ways to get the same result and your horse may respond very well. What I especially like about this method is that the horse has weight spread over the feet evenly and the shoes and pads are light compared to bar shoes which is a little more severe. I hope this helps and encourages you to give it a try, let us know how you go and if you have any more questions.

[@lakagranger3012]

@@lesvenola2380 hey thanks for the answer. We are definatly trying this for the next shoeing. But I have one question. My horse has very thin soles (8mm at the thinnest spot). And her hooves look like a pancake. Do you think it will get any problems with sole pain?

[@tommyroddenjr7633]

Hello, could you show the results? After first shoeing all the way to when you feel that it has improved. Definitely would like to see how this works! Thanks

[@DrSimonCurtis]

Hi Tommy I am working of getting a part 2 for this uploaded. Thanks for watching.

[@lakagranger3012]

@@DrSimonCurtis I would also love to know if it worked. There is no part 2 if I saw correctly

[@SouthFLFarrierShorts]

Is that the same Sam Fowler from Alec Steele’s blacksmithing videos? I sure miss Sam and his antics.

[@DrSimonCurtis]

Check out this podcast episode we made about the channel's new direction: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fHfaYWdroNd0fNU We both have a shared love of working with horses and sharing knowledge, and Sam is looking to expand his work in videography.

[@MaryMac199]

That looks great!

[@BreechBodyy]

Such an interesting video, thank you Dr Curtis!

[@nimblehorsemanship]

Awesome job. Any follow up videos please?

[@simoncurtis393]

Sorry but I have now retired from shoeing. Simon

[@michaelodonnell4119]

Toe still to long, impression material should only be put at the back of the frog for support, it takes awhile to figure out what the horse needs, I've been doing impression material since 1994, love and learn

[@danielpollak3752]

Hello ! What are the brand of the products used in the video? Thanks for the help

[@DrSimonCurtis]

Hi Daniel, I used Michael Puhl hoof pads and packing material for this video. Thank you for watching and commenting.

[@KenziWolfe]

love this channel!!

[@fearlessboy_cherry]

Hi simon curti iam farriery student rajastan india

[@kevingerwatoski2667]

I’m just curious Dr… wouldn’t a Egg bar or Straight bar shoe work better for heel support than an open shoe and a pad???

[@jamiekinch188]

DSC Rocks!

[@robertgallo4405]

What was the name brand of your frog support pads, dr.Simon?

[@DrSimonCurtis]

Hi Robert - they are PM pads by Michael Puhl.

[@stephenmurphy5264]

Is it ok to just put a pad on one foot if the other is in good shape? Also my farrier is always saying how much the dental impression material is, i would say he only uses half of what you used, how do i encourage him to use more without upsetting him............?

[@DrSimonCurtis]

Yes it is. Regarding the dental impression material, I believe it is good value and goes far. I would say you must at least use enough that some squeezes out the back.

[@Trapezius8oblique]

Interesting thanks I’ve been thinking my farrier has under run my horses heels. It’s a worry..

[@lareemcra347]

I believe leaving the shoes on too long can cause it. The whole hoof capsule can move forward away from the pedal or coffin bone.

[@Norebx]

wow....

[@teresabrown4457]

What is the best way to shoe a over-at-the-knee and broken forward HPA? My young horse also 'paddles' the lower leg where he is most over-at-the-knee. Thank you

[@davidmckenzie8934]

Dr Simon I have a QH with a low heal and he gets irritated , grows a long toe . I need to find a guy in Texas to help me do this . Any contacts appreciated. Also if you read this and you are near Dallas , send me note.

[@DrSimonCurtis]

You could try contacting Russell Deering at Handmade Shoes: 3425 Crawford Road Spicewood Austin Texas 78669 Contact Details: 
Russel Deering 
 Office [phone] Cell [phone] E-Mail: [e-mail]

[@tanyaatkins9932]

Have you got a follow up video of this horse

[@IAIWE]

When I come out to these kind of horses I usually don't use pads. My experience is that the horse (usually thoroughbreds; like in this video) tend to lose the shoe more often and walls cracking around the nails, caused by the shoe to move more. I usually use Equi-Pak or Comfort Mix and a equi mesh. Does this make a difference on a horse like this? Does it affect the frog differently? Also, would you consider somekind of shoe with rolled toe or rocker toe? Sideclips or even no clips to put the shoe further back? Or is that just going to the extreme? Thank you!

[@simoncurtis393]

Yep, getting the fulcrum point back is important. I love equi-pak but this is by far the best system that I have come across for these types. Simon

[@allangreenley9901]

Best I ever found for if shoeing longer than normal and worried about overreaching pulling a shoe off , is to ask the owner to fit standard overreach rubber boots on when turning out

[@drestergios7328]

Is there another way of helping the reversed angles if the horse isn’t this bad? My dressage mare has a RF that is slight (visually and with radiographs) and I need to know if it is just my farrier running the heels under. It seems to be an American farrier’s disease by how much I see on all my horses. They come from Germany with plenty of hoof and support. Thank you!

[@DrSimonCurtis]

Slightly under-running heels can be helped by trimming and fitting the shoe with additional length. It is impossible to answer in more detail without seeing the horse.

[@drestergios7328]

I understand. Wish I knew how to attach pictures to this conversation.🤣🤣 Thank you!!!

[@marelyndixon8338]

Question: why not just place in a navicular shoe and leave the sole and frog open? This way it can breath and wouldn't have to worry about thrush.

[@simoncurtis393]

Hi Marelyn, They don't usually get thrush but if they do, we treat it. You cannot get the digital support without the pad and DIM. It works well. Simon

[@johncatanese4483]

where can i buy the pads and the dental impression compound?

[@DrSimonCurtis]

Hi John, Stromsholm Farrier Supplies sells these if you are in the UK. If not, the international dealers list is on the brand's website: www.pmhuftechnik.saarland/home-english/dealers/

[@mmouse8627]

Hmmm toes are still to Long after trim. You didn't take any sole out either. Ya can't get heel hight if your not taking sole out and bringing toes back to the white line.

[@lakagranger3012]

I don't think there is any sole to take of

[@lillybellmore8290]

where did you get the frog support pads? I have been on several sites and NO luck

[@DrSimonCurtis]

Michael Puhl PM pads. Global suppliers list on their site: www.pmhuftechnik.saarland/home-english/dealers/

[@SuperBookie01]

Can you ride a horse with this shoe job?

[@4LegJumper]

How do you treat horse w underrun heel AND a quarter crack on coronet band by heel?

[@paigethefarrier6243]

Egg bar, pour pads, float the area with the quarter crack. Possibly put a plate and a patch on where the crack is if needed

[@wellshodgarage2752]

Where can I buy these pads? Very interested

[@DrSimonCurtis]

Hi there, the Michael Puhl PM pads, packing and clips are available globally from various stockists. We actually stock them ourselves too, please see our info page here: curtisfarrierbooks.bigcartel.com/michael-puhl-products

[@thefarriersapprentice3853]

Love it !!

[@dorothycarwile7571]

Say mate, are you injured on your finger? Just a scratch! Lol

[@lareemcra347]

My vet is against using wedge pads for underrun heels. I've tried about everything, wedges, barefoot for months, keep the toe short, back the toes, rocker the toes, take the heels back to the widest part of the frog, don't trim the heels, with no progress. His toes have not been over 3 inches in a year and I still can't get even up to a 50 degree hoof angle. He is a 15 hand horse. He just won't grow much heel.

[@DrSimonCurtis]

It is the digital support that unloads the heels and encourages growth. Use in combination with heel elevation for two shoeings and then use flat digital support pads.

[@lareemcra347]

@@DrSimonCurtis Thanks Dr. Curtis. I like that tool carrier you have. If you get a moment maybe you could post a link to how to get one.

[@jgerl100]

Follow up to see end results.

[@denisewroblewski9444]

What causes that to happen

[@tomcooley3778]

A pad cutter might work as well .

[@kellybroussard1973]

Where do u find those pads

[@DrSimonCurtis]

They are PM Pads by Michael Puhl. They have worldwide stockists.

[@pratipalsinhjadeja5467]

Give me a name of pink meterial sir

[@DrSimonCurtis]

It is dental impression packing material.

[@colinkendziora8308]

Where do you get your DIM?

[@DrSimonCurtis]

Hi there, the Michael Puhl PM pads, packing and clips are available globally from various stockists. We actually stock them ourselves too, please see our info page here: curtisfarrierbooks.bigcartel.com/michael-puhl-products

[@MsSwingin]

Why would you leave so much flare on the sides?

[@comesahorseman]

👍👍

[@kerylcooper2314]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👍🏼🌵🇺🇸

[@dianakeller36]

How about setting the shoe back to the heal?

[@simoncurtis393]

The shoe is set back to the heel (if that is what you mean?) and the heels certainly heal, with this method. Simon

[@gkayblogs7978]

See indian marwari horse

[@michaelodonnell4119]

And you definitely trim the foot properly so they do load the heel, increased blood flow with heel first landing, not rocket science, It's true and works, that is how a foot is designed to work, load heel proper break over at the toe!

[@michaelodonnell4119]

Without proper break over it doesn't work!

[@claretollerton9715]

Wild horses don't wear shoes and manage why we thought it was a good idea to is beyond me nails weaken the sole and wall of the hoof nails can possibly cause absess infections better to clip and rasp flares and any activity where there roof terrain use boots or forma heal shoe which totally covers the hoof which is better as metal shoes don't shock absorb the leg joints against asphalt or concrete surfaces . Why can't we use rubber shoes instead and use glue than nails ?

[@johnbbreer2775]

From your confusing run-on comment it appears you already have all the answers..... so I don't imagine anyone is rushing to answer your question my friend. If you don't believe farriery is the right thing for your horse I guess this video aint for you. If you truly care about your horse's wellbeing you'll consider all the options when necessary --- and this is one of the options in this hoof-care scenario. Seems to me Dr Curtis has his head on straight and considers all the options, and is offering valuable information to other open minded individuals: those that have their mind on what's best for the horse in question, and not just trying to fulfil their own badly researched ethics. Why should anyone take their valuable time to answer you "why can't we use rubber shoes instead and use glue than nails?" - find out for yourself if you are so sure of what you rant on at the start.

[@kirkboswell2575]

Clare Tollerton - What John said. You have an obviously imperfect and partial understanding. Wild horses? Sure. And they frequently go lame and become coyote and buzzard food. Barefoot is viable for pastured horses, but you still need to maintain their hooves on a regular schedule. Glue? Sure, but then you have to watch even closer for infections due to lack of circulation and air flow. Rubber shoes? Sure, but they can't make them as durable as steel and shoeing becomes more frequent, not to mention that they don't protect the horse as well. Everything needs to be considered and the best choice for each individual horse made based on health, work, and defects. Sorry, but that often means standard shoeing.

[@smudgegrudge]

Feral horses also have quite different living conditions to a domestic horse, don't they? A domestic horse doesn't walk 20+ miles a day on various terrain to wear down the hoof like a wild horse would.... Which is why we have to trim them or they overgrow and in extreme cases start to curl. As fantastic as it would be for every horse to be barefoot, sometimes aids like pads and shoes are necessary to help correct the foot.

[@ronaldparandes989]

Why have shoes it's all non science crap