Glue-on Tabs Wolf Busch® "powered by Duplo"

If a glue-on shoe comes off even though the weld seam is intact, the cause is usually not the welding itself, but rather the adhesive bond or mechanical stress. In many cases, several factors play a role – from the size of the glue-on tabs to the stresses of the horse's daily activity.

Yes. To achieve the most optimal ratio between bonding surface and hoof size, the size of the glue-on tabs should match the selected shoe size. If the glue-on tab is too small, it provides insufficient bonding surface. If it is too large, it may not fit properly on the hoof or may even touch the coronary band, which can significantly reduce the durability of the bond. In some cases, it may therefore be advisable to choose one size up or down. Always check carefully whether the selected size is optimal for the individual hoof.
As a general guideline:

• Glue-on tab size 1 for horseshoes from 50 mm to 70 mm (3D printed)
• Glue-on tab size 2 for horseshoes from. 70 mm to 90 mm (3D printed)
• Glue-on tab size 3 for horseshoes from 90 mm to 114 mm
• Glue-on tab size 4 for horseshoes from 114 mm to 134 mm
• Glue-on tab size 5 for horseshoes from 134 mm to 162 mm
• Glue-on tab size 6 for horseshoes from 162 mm to 198 mm

As a rule, no manual adjustments are necessary if the correct size has been selected. However, you should always check the height of the tabs. If they are too high and would extend onto the coronary band, they should be trimmed accordingly.

If glue-on tabs are placed not only on the hoof wall but also on the coronary band, the adhesive bond becomes unstable. This can result from tabs that are too large or from incorrect placement. If the tabs are too large in the rear area of the hoof, the issue can be easily corrected: simply trim a small amount from the top to keep the coronary band clear.

Absolutely. The shape and size of the glue-on shoe must be precisely adapted to the hoof. In the area of the glue-on tabs, allow approximately 1 mm of material to extend beyond the hoof to create a proper weld seam. Before attaching the glue-on tabs to the shoe, remove all knobs – both the colored integrated knob arrays and the softer ones resulting from the manufacturing process.

This step is necessary because otherwise the tabs may compress afterward if the knobs were not fully pressed into the bearing edge during bonding. This subsequent compression can negatively affect the durability of the glue-on shoe.

Yes, this happens more often than you might think. Some horses tend to strike their front hooves with their hind hooves, even when the shoe is properly fitted. In such cases, it can be helpful to apply additional overreach protection on the ground surface of the horseshoe. Make sure to grind down the plastic coating only up to a maximum of half its thickness. This additional cut in the heel area allows the shoe to give way more easily.

If the entire glue-on shoe remains intact but the glue-on tabs detach from the hoof, the cause is usually related to hoof preparation, environmental conditions, or the handling of the adhesive.

Various mistakes can occur when preparing the hoof for bonding. Common issues include insufficient roughening of the hoof surface or inadequate cleaning. Poor degreasing of the hoof or the glue-on shoe can also reduce adhesion, as can touching the glue-on tabs with your fingers after degreasing. In addition, using unsuitable cleaning agents, such as brake cleaner, may damage the material. Another frequent mistake is drying with linting cloths, which can leave residues on the hoof or glue-on tabs.
A clean, grease-free, and properly roughened surface is essential for a strong and durable adhesive bond.

Both acetone-based and acetone-free brake cleaners reduce the tear strength of the black Elastomer used in the glue-on tabs. Depending on the intensity and duration of exposure, this effect can range from barely noticeable to severely damaging. Since it cannot be ensured that such products are applied briefly and gently enough, their use on Wolf Busch glue-on tabs is generally not recommended.

Moisture and ambient temperature play a crucial role when bonding to the hoof.
Especially in summer, the hoof and the surrounding air can become too dry. Many adhesives require a certain level of humidity to activate properly. If this is lacking, the adhesive may cure faster on the glue-on tab than on the hoof. In addition, insufficient moisture can slow down the overall curing process. How an adhesive reacts under very dry conditions can vary depending on the product used. For summer conditions, we recommend using a dedicated summer adhesive such as Marston-Domsel "Summer Glue" or Top2Glue "Gel".

Yes. Regular Wolf Busch® glue-on tabs can generally be used year-round. However, at lower temperatures, the tabs tend to be less flexible, which can make it more difficult to apply them evenly and securely to the hoof wall . Wolf Busch® Soft glue-on tabs have been specifically developed for winter use. Choosing the right adhesive is also important in colder conditions. As the viscosity of the adhesive changes with temperature, we generally recommend using a winter adhesive such as Marston-Domsel "Winter Glue" or Top2Glue Medium.

No – quite the opposite. When bonding, less is often more. Flooding the glue-on tabs with adhesive does not automatically improve hold and can even have a negative effect on the bond.

If the glue-on tabs are difficult to position due to their stiffness or the shape of the hoof wall, it can help to gently warm the finished glue-on shoe and then let it cool while resting on the tabs. This creates a slight curvature, allowing the tabs to conform better to the hoof wall and making them easier to bond.

Yes, old adhesive can cause problems when bonding to the hoof. Even if the adhesive is generally suitable, it can lose its bonding strength if it has been opened for a longer period and has absorbed moisture from the air.

There are generally two ways to speed up the process:

1. Using a faster adhesive
   The Marston-Domsel "Blitzschnell" (instant adhesive) is particularly suitable, as it typically provides reliable bonding and cures very quickly – both in summer and winter.
2. Using an activator
   Another option is the PRE FIX Activator from glue-u. This is especially helpful for restless horses or when a horse cannot stand still for long due to health reasons.
   Apply the adhesive to the glue-on tab as usual. Then spray a small amount of activator specifically onto the area of the hoof where the tab will be attached. Avoid spraying the entire hoof. Then press the glue-on tab onto the hoof. When pressed together, the adhesive reacts with the activator – this chemical reaction significantly accelerates the bonding process.

Very important. If the horse is subjected to excessive stress before the adhesive has reached its final strength (often around 24 hours), the bond may fail or become permanently weakened. After application, the horse can of course return to the paddock or pasture as usual, but should not be fully loaded before the adhesive has fully cured.

If the glue-on tabs are still firmly bonded to the hoof but the shoe itself has come off, the cause is usually an unstable weld seam.

The key indicator is a smooth, glossy bead visible along the entire weld line. This shows that the material has been properly fused.

Yes and no. A special tool is not strictly required to create stable weld seams. However, experience shows that many users find it easier to achieve consistent and therefore more stable weld seams when using our specially developed welding tool.

A stable weld seam primarily depends on consistent and sufficient pressure, the correct rolling speed, and the appropriate temperature of the hot air tool. Since the plastics used in the different glue-on tabs – whether regular, soft, or with or without color additives – have slightly different melting points, these parameters must be adjusted accordingly depending on the product used.

Cooling weld seams with water is not recommended, as it can make the plastic brittle.

Absolutely. We always recommend performing a tear test once the weld seam has cooled. This allows faulty or uneven weld seams to be identified and corrected early, before the shoe is applied to the horse.
Don't worry – you cannot pull too hard during this test, as the forces acting on the shoe at the horse's hoof will always be significantly greater.