Anti-Skid Protection and Winter Equipment for Your Horseshoe

One advantage of the plastic cover of our alternative horseshoes is that they inherently have a certain grip due to the material and the profiled surface. Sometimes, however, there are situations in which additional grip in the form of Spikes or studs can be useful. Further below, you will also find an overview of the areas of application and the specifics of the studs that you can buy from us.

Possible Reasons for a Horse Slipping with its Hoof Protection

• The material of the hoof protection: A steel shoe behaves differently than a shoe with a plastic coating. But even with the various plastic shoes and hoof boots that are available on the market, there are differences in terms of 'slipping behaviour'.
• The horse's gait and surefootedness: On the same muddy or rocky path, one horse may gallop while another struggles even at a walk.
• The ground condition and speed play a particularly important role. Mud, gravel or even ice and snow pose different challenges for hoof protection and horse than asphalt or sandy paths. However, a steeply descending road can also become slippery.
• In addition to speed, the riding discipline also plays a role. It makes a big difference whether you are 'only' cantering or whether you also jump or have to ride tight turns at high speed. The requirements for additional grip and the stability of the anti-skid protection are different in show jumping, eventing or even hunting than, for example, when leisure riders lope outdoors.

As there are always several factors that play a role in the topic of anti-slip protection, it is difficult to make a generally valid statement.

The use of spikes and studs as well as the monitoring of their correct fit and intactness during the shoeing period is at the responsibility of the horse owner in cooperation with the on-site farrier. Speed, especially on slippery surfaces and in winter conditions, is always at the discretion of the rider. To prevent injuries, speed must be reduced appropriately. If you are a horse owner in a livery stable, please coordinate the use of spikes and studs with the owner of the stable. Please follow our safety instructions and usage guidelines in the product descriptions.

When it comes to winter equipment for horseshoes, many people first think of the well-known Snowgrip®. Most of our composite horseshoes and pure synthetic shoes feature an integrated debris guard that largely prevents snowballing . However, depending on snow conditions, it may be necessary to completely seal the sole area of the horseshoe to prevent snow from balling up. For this purpose, you will find Protective Insoles —for traditional steel shoes—and the Hoof Sole Protector for our composite shoes in this category.