Been shoeing 20 years and just now tried rawhide pads on a tricky case

Had a draft cross with really thin soles and thrush problems, kept losing shoes every 6 weeks. A old timer in Montana told me to try rawhide pads soaked in water before nailing them on. That was 4 months ago and the feet look way better, has anyone else had luck with rawhide over the rubber ones?

2 comments

2 Comments

hall.emma1mo ago

Woah, I actually read a study from a farrier school out west that tested this. They found the rawhide lets the hoof breathe way better than rubber, plus it hardens up like a second sole once it dries. The soaking part is key because it molds right to the foot shape. I heard the old timers swear it also helps with thrush since it doesn't trap moisture like rubber does.

ray_patel271mo ago

Rawhide pads soaked in water before nailing them on" - you soaked them first? That's wild. I'd be worried they'd shrink or get funky, but sounds like they worked.