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Pads

Rim pad

Dr. Barb Schmidt decided that Woody's navicular syndrome would be helped by using rim pads to distance his sole from the ground.  It has worked well.  Although he has times when he isn't 100%, he is greatly improved.

Equithane Equi-Pak

	Used here for snow ball elimination.  You can see how the hoof would be effectively impervious to things like gravel.  Sharp things can still be a potential hazard (i.e. nails, etc.).  These pads seal against the sole and frog so life cannot take hold (thrush and fungus).  It also seems that these actually act to increase sole thickness.  The necessary pressures for hoof function are still there.

Traditional pads

Not at all my choice.  Traditional pads have what I call "the glove effect".  If you find yourself putting them on your horse for some reason, it is very hard to get them off because the soles become tender.  Traditional pads also create a prime place for fungus and thrush.  I'll post an example when I find one.