Application
Instructions
Sneakers can be applied with ordinary farrier tools but the application is
greatly facilitated using power tools that are common to many farriers. The
minimum tools required for shaping and punching the holes are:
1. A vise
2. A sharp rasp
3. A sharp pritchel
Recommended
power tools are:
1. A drill with 5/32 or11/64
bits.
2. A saber saw or a band saw.
3. A grinder with a flexible
disc or belt with 24 or 36 grit.
Step #1
Align the toe of the hoof with the toe of the shoe. Trace the outline of the trimmed foot on the shoe. The new metallic markers are ideal. To have the toe positioned correctly, sometimes it may be necessary to remove some wall with the rasp or nippers for the clips to fit. We recommend removing the poly urethane covering on the clips for the best fit and security of the shoe.
Step #2
If the fit is close it may only be necessary to rasp the shoe to
shape. If it is necessary to trim more than
1/4", cut the excess shoe with a saber saw or band saw. Use a blade in the
saber saw that has a medium tooth blade such as 10 teeth per inch. If a hand
held hacksaw is used 14 teeth per inch is recommended. Grinding with a 24 grit
flexible disc or belt is also very effective.
Step #3
Locate the position of the nail holes according to
the thickness of the wall and the location of the white line. Drill the holes
on the guidelines to locate in the nailing grooves. If E nails are being used
use a 3/16-drill bit to accommodate the larger head. Note the nail holes can be located anywhere on the shoe to
optimize nailing; the grooves are to facilitate the seating and removal of the
nails. If drilling the
holes is not possible they can be pritcheled. Use a sharp pritchel and punch
from the ground surface through the tread over the pritchel hole. Any
distortion of the metal shoe can easily be hammered out.
Step # 4
Place the shoe and nail. Be certain to drive the nail head into contact with the aluminum base shoe. Use a punch or a piece of bar stock to drive the head beneath the poly urethane. The punch end of a clinch cutter is ideal for this critical step. Clinch and finish as usual.
Tech Tips
1. Sneakers
can be reset multiple times. As long as there is tread to cover the nail heads
you can continue to use the shoe.
2. Toe
studs showing through the tread is normal wear.
3. The
edges of the shoe break in quickly to the horse's way of going. This rounding
of the tread occurs fairly quickly and is beneficial for the horse. If the
horse travels unevenly the shoes will reflect that wear pattern.
4. Large
jawed pull-offs will make the job of removing the shoes easier.
5. Do
not drill the nail holes too fine, this makes nailing difficult. On flat-footed
horses the holes can be angled inward (pitched) while drilling to get more
secure nailing.
6. If
sole pressure needs to be relieved, hammer around the center hole on the foot
surface to concave the shoe.
7. Corrosion
around the nails is unavoidable, a little silicone applied to the hoof surface
before nailing will reduce the amount of corrosion.
8. Under
most circumstances no packing of the center hole is necessary; however silicone
caulking can be applied in the center hole to prevent infiltration of debris
under the shoe. The silicone must be in place 24 hours before riding to allow
for curing. If time is short we recommend Equi-pak by Equithane. Equi-pak sets
up in minutes. The plugs may be removed at any time without removing the shoe
for inspection and cleaning.
Sneaker application with Equithane
Materials
1.
Disposable
gloves
2.
hot
air source
3.
solvent
4.
tongue
depressor or putty knife
Hoof
preparation
1.
Trim
the hoof as normal paying close attention to removing as much exfoliating sole
as possible. Rasp the bottom ½ of the hoof wall to remove all traces of dirt.
2.
Rinse
with a suitable solvent such as Acetone or Isopropyl alcohol and let dry.
Sneaker
preparation
1.
Step
1:
Shape the Sneaker to the hoof as per the
application instructions. Leave a small margin of shoe extending around the
perimeter of the hoof, about one eighth inch (3mm). Bend the clips so they
contact the wall.
2.
Step
2:
Roughen the hoof surface of the Sneaker with an angle
grinder and rinse with solvent and let dry. Do not contaminate the cleaned
surface by touching it with your fingers.
3.
Step
3:
Warm the shoe by heating with a hot air gun if the
ambient temperature is below 50° F (10° C). Do
not overheat and melt the poly-urethane.
Application:
4.
Apply
a heavy bead of Equithane to the sole of the hoof, enough to cover the entire
surface of the Sneaker.
5.
Press
the shoe into the glue making sure to keep an even layer over the hoof. Hold
the shoe in place till the glue sets, about 90 seconds.
6.
When
the glue has set firmly, about three minutes, place the hoof on the floor and
apply a rim of glue up the side of the hoof wall about 1 – 1 ½ inches (25 – 35
mm). If the ambient temperature is cool continue to warm the glue to accelerate
the cure rate.
7.
Rasp
smooth after the Equithane has cured.