Half a dozen farriers attended the Andrew Poynton FWCF, Imprint Clinic hosted by Haydn Price DipWCF (Hons) at his forge, near Usk, South Wales, home of EQUIRAP, the new agents for Stromsholm UK Ltd.

The early morning session began with a slide show led lecture explaining the theory behind utilising plastic shoes and why it may be an option for some horses. Indeed the application of metal shoes attached with nails has occurred for millennia and knowledge has been passed down through generations. As modern materials have evolved, the choices available to a farrier have too. Andrew described the hoof as a dynamic structure, considering galloping and jumping and the impact on a variety of surfaces the hoof and limb is asked to accommodate. Suggesting metal shoes limit hoof function, Imprint Sport was proposed as an alternative to metal shoes allowing the foot to flex, expand and move as an unshod foot would.

Cyclists winning Gold at the last Olympics utilised the finest modern materials to ensure their clothing and their bikes worked in harmony with themselves and the surface they were racing on, is it possible that Olympic horses can do the same with their shoes? Imprint Sport shoes are undoubtedly more expensive than traditional steel shoes, perhaps four times the price in some areas. But, at the top end of the sport particularly, is money such an issue? In cases where nailing-on shoes is not a viable option, the Imprint Sport can provide a solution to enable a horse or pony continue and fulfil its career.

Performance is indeed directly related to efficiency; the Imprint Sport is not only lighter but has an increased surface area. The plastic grips well and tungsten pins and studs can be utilised should extra grip be needed, it is hard wearing and moulds at a low temperature. The Sport was initially launched with a white rim although a new graphite (black) rim is now available and offers a more aesthetically pleasing appearance for horses with dark hooves. Many horses demonstrate a marked improvement in comfort once Imprint Sport shoes are fitted and anti-concussive properties, increased safety and improved hoof health through reducing bacterial infections of the white line have also been noted. Horses that have benefitted from using Imprint Sport in competition include –

Catherstone Limbo Dancer, owned and ridden by Fiona Padfield in dressage. Fiona believes there has been as much as 10% difference in her test marks since using Imprint Sports.

Yanza, owned by Horses First Racing, trained by Jeremy Gask, for flat racing. Yanza has won and been placed several times whilst wearing Imprint Sport shoes.

Jane Holderness Roddam’s horses - Cuillin Hills (has been shod since July 08 and is currently at Intermediate level), Tiger’s Eye II (entered for Badminton) and Dustin (has been shod with Imprint for a year). All horses are going well.

Lost shoes... The application of Imprint Shoes and indeed Imprint Sport is relatively straight forward although does require some specialist knowledge and training is recommended. It is suggested that approximately half of all farriers in the country currently use some Imprint products at least some of the time; furthermore 600 farriers have attended Imprint training clinics. Should a rider or owner be concerned about losing a shoe at an event, the Imprint office can provide a ‘goody bag’ for them to travel with and details of farriers near to the event that have attended an Imprint training course. The incidence of lost shoes however, is very small and relatively unusual. Correction application is key.

Dean Bland BA (Hons) DipWCF Hons took the second part of the presentation that led the attendees through the theory behind the application of the Imprint Sport. The trimming of the foot appeared quite ‘radical’ to some although the need for cleanliness throughout the hoof and the removal of any structurally unsound material is paramount to the successful application of the Sport shoe. Using a Dremel (or similar) ‘notches’ are placed into the lower third of the hoof wall to form ‘ball and socket’ joints for which the plastic can get into and attach to the hoof. Extra material in the form of Imprint Granules can be used to rebuild foot or to drop into heels to give the effect of ‘raised’ heels if required. Glue is ‘scribbled’ on to the hoof wall and the heated Imprint Sport Shoe applied toe to heel, the plastic being pushed into the indentations and subtle adjustments made to the overall positioning of the shoe on the foot. Wet hands run around the outside of the hoof can smooth the appearance of the Sport shoe to the hoof wall but is also good practise and beneficial as it can help to smooth any potentially weak points and increase structural soundness. Imprint Shoe Freezer is used to strip heat out rapidly so that the foot can be placed down more quickly. The horse should be left to stand for at least 10 minutes and a rasp can be used lightly to finish the shoe on the foot and smooth any lines.

Putting theory into practise, Andrew continued by demonstrating the process on ‘Splash’, a ten year old gelding who had evented in previous years. Splash had suffered an injury to his front near fore approximately four years ago and lost a proportion of his foot. He has suffered lameness periodically in all feet and was presented with Imprint Sport shoes on all four feet. These shoes had been on for six weeks and he was considered overdue for shoeing. Splash was trotted in hand and lunged lightly on a hard surface before and after re-shoeing. He was notably more comfortable following re-application of the Imprint Sport shoes which included some reconstruction work with the aid of Imprint Granules, demonstrating flexibility in fitting.

After lunch farriers were given the opportunity to gain ‘hands-on’ experience. Guided by Andrew and Dean, each farrier attending the clinic applied an Imprint Sport shoe to a horse with one to one tuition, support and guidance. All farriers successfully completed the application process, many noting how straight forward it was with the guidance provided. The horses were trotted before and after application and work evaluated with Andrew providing additional advice on how the application procedure may be adapted to consider different styles and practise.

The day was rounded off with questions and answers and all attendees confidently completing a new procedure, new techniques and considering a new approach to shoeing!

New Farriery Techniques for the Performance Horse is one of three courses run by Imprint Shoes, the other two include Farriery Techniques for the Laminitic Equine and Hoof Repair and Reconstruction including Developmental Farriery for Foals and Youngstock. The Clinics, held regularly across the UK, combines theory followed by a demonstration and practical coaching session. Each full day clinic includes course tuition, notes, materials, lunch and refreshments and is approved by the FTA CPD Steering Group to the extent that it awards each participant with 4 CPD points. For further details on when and where the courses are being held visit the Forge & Farrier Calendar or contact Julia Poynton on 01666 822953.

Note: This article is not intended to provide comprehensive and accurate fitting instructions but purely an overview of the day, for full fitting instructions please visit http://www.imprintshoes.co.uk/fitting_instructions.htm.

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