Polyflex Shoes

[Norm]

Worried about handicapping on polytracks ? Here's a new concern . . . Polyflex shoes. They are made out of polyurethane and attached with glue to a horse's hoof, the Polyflex shoe is designed to help the foot absorb more concussion. They were invented three years ago and are gaining in popularity. How will you know when they are being worn ? Ah, well, uh . . . you won't. Here's a link to a DRF article on the topic.

http://www.drf.com/news/article/93237.html (http://www.drf.com/news/article/93237.html)

I wonder what happens when Polyflex shoes are worn on a polytrack ? Anybody know what a springbok is ?:D

[cj]

I wonder what happens when Polyflex shoes are worn on a polytrack ? Anybody know what a springbok is ?:D

Yep, a member of the South African rugby team.

[robert99]

These have been used in UK for 20 years:

http://www.equinescienceupdate.co.uk/imprint.htm

[Norm]

On a more serious note, here is a link to a list of foot ailments that have been treated with Polyflex shoes. I really do wish that track websites maintained an on-line "shoe board" where handicappers could learn what shoes a horse is wearing. It does make a difference.

http://www.noanvil.com/trainers/bpf/public/index.cfm?menuid=185 (http://www.noanvil.com/trainers/bpf/public/index.cfm?menuid=185)

[maxwell]

Let me guess what kind of glue they use on these polyflex shoes ... polydent?

What about rubber gaskets between the hoof and shoe? That would absorb a lot of concussion. It would also give us another excuse for picking losers : "He must have blown a gasket!" :)

[Pace Cap'n]

Here is another interesting article on poly shoes...

hoofcare.blogspot.com/ (http://hoofcare.blogspot.com/2008/04/greetings-from-gluegrass-will-2008-be.html)

The photo (bottom of this post) shows a typical injury of this type, usually caused by a subsolar abscess, trimming too short, or training and racing on hard tracks (or a combination of these factors).

[joanied]

Let me guess what kind of glue they use on these polyflex shoes ... polydent?

What about rubber gaskets between the hoof and shoe? That would absorb a lot of concussion. It would also give us another excuse for picking losers : "He must have blown a gasket!" :)

:lol: :D :lol:

[russowen77]

They are nothing new actually.

It is going to be interesting to see how all this affects breeding. It seems to me that stallion owners who throw stock that can run on anything are going to be in for a windfall.

[LottaKash]

They have been using plastic shoes, in harness racing since the seventy"s............

[Norm]

While glued-on shoes have been around for some time, these flexible, impact absorbing shoes are a relatively new invention. According to the DRF article, the polyflex shoes have been around for just under three years and are only now gaining in popularity.

The real issue, however, is the horseplayers need to know what footwear a horse is sporting. The shoes are a part of the horses equipment and tell you a great deal about the health of a horses feet and his potential running ability. It would be equally important to know if there are traction devices on the shoes.

[cj's dad]

They have been using plastic shoes, in harness racing since the seventy"s............

The mention of Harness racing on this board is blaspemous. Please, I beg you, refrain from such absurdity in the future.:lol:

[LottaKash]

Mea-Culpa's