When I put my arena in, 20 plus years ago, I used a USDF booklet.  I found this link to it.  Not sure if you can still order it from the USDF.  An important point is to use manufactured sand rather that river sand.  River sand is round and will roll while manufactured sand has tiny flat sides which keep it from rolling.  A friend and I Installed our arenas the same year and she used river sand.  She ended up having to replace it.  A proper base is extremely important as well.
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This is a great tip, Regina.  Thanks for the suggestion.  As hard as I try to keep my pea stone clean, it’s nearly impossible.
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Lavinia said:  "For the horses' feet, the best thing to use is 4"-6" of 3/8" pea stone."

I am getting ready to do my dream-come-true grading, footing, and surfacing project.

Can anyone direct me to specific instructions on surfacing material?  I do plan to have a pea-gravel section, and will use Lavinia's instructions above.  But I also need advice on the track portion and the riding area. 

Thanks in advance.
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Cindy
Denton, Texas
Joined 2/19, but I was a member of the old Yahoo group
Case History:  https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/files/Cindy%20and%20Oden/Oden%20case%20history%20%287%29%20%281%29.doc
Photos:  https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/album?id=91125

Down at ground level it will be from some time in the past.

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Lavinia

Moderator/ECIR Support

I was rasping Abs front hooves and noticed  he had pink showing up.  No noticable difference in travel. I started soaking hay. Is this a current issue or is it just showing up from some time ago?
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Lori's  Morgans
Northern Calif.
2017

Trisha DePietroJul 27 #11189  

I’m still very interested in your advice if you have time. ☺️🤓🧐
--
Joella Foust 
Montana
2015
Bronwynn
https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/files/Joella%20and%20Bronwynn/Bronwynn/Bronwynn%20Case%20History.pdf
https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/album?id=91706&p=pcreated,,,20,2,0,0
https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/files/Joella%20and%20Bronwynn/Hay%20Analysis/Lewistown%20Hay%202018.pdf
Negrette, Oliver, Riley, Graybee, Diesel, Zsa Zsa, Bronwynn
Asleep: Hunter, Snip, Houston, Frisky, RyeLee, #5

--
Diann Kuzma
One Hoof at a Time
PHCP Practitioner
Joined 2018

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Diann Kuzma
One Hoof at a Time
PHCP Practitioner
Joined 2018

Hi Susan,

That's going to be a tough one as the majority of the boots are designed to be used on feet where the trim is pretty optimal, which means the heels are the appropriate height. Your best bet is going to be one of the rehab-type boots like the EasyCare Clouds or the Soft Rides as these have a more forgiving fit.

All boots should have a good bevel added to the treads at the toe to help get the breakover into the correct place. More on that here:

https://www.hoofrehab.com/BootArticle.htm

In the rads from 8-2020, there was slight rotation of the RF, so she needed to have the heels lowered a bit to correct that.  From the 6-2020 pix in her album, all the toes needed to come back more, heels were underrun, flares present on all four feet - all of which is going to make boot sizing very difficult.

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Lavinia

Moderator/ECIR Support

I am a big fan of the Easy Care pads, all 3 densities.  The softer ones conform more over time, the firmer ones retain their shape better but still squish when weight is applied.

The interlocking floor mat foam did not last more than a day for me, it just flattened out.

--
Kirsten Rasmussen

Hi Rebecca,

You need to rocker/bevel the back of the heels but leave the vertical height of the heel buttress alone. Also need to rasp the wall out of weight bearing in the heel, leaving only the bar as the weight bearing point.

If you're using boots and pads, use a thicker pad,that really supports the entire bottom of the foot, but you can trim it so that the perimeter fits just inside the walls. Experiment with frog support of different heights and densities as well. Be prepared to change the pads as the needs of the horse change.

There are mark-ups in Lynn and Relevante's Photo album and discussions to go along with those on the Main ECIR Group. Also see Ramey's discussions here:

https://www.hoofrehab.com/BootArticle.htm

https://www.hoofrehab.com/HeelHeight.html

https://www.hoofrehab.com/HorsesSole.html

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Lavinia

Moderator/ECIR Support

I am interested in this topic as well, as I am currently working with a good barefoot trimmer with ground parallel/negative angle in my boy's back feet with underrun heels all around. Lavinia what is involved in the trim to leave the walls of the heels unloaded?
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Rebecca and Joe,  Lexington KY, 2020

Case History: https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/files/Rebecca%20and%20Joe

Joella, there are All types of pads.  Easy boot has comfort pads, 3 densities. Another company is HoofPads?  Can not quite remember.  I have had clients use yoga mats, the puzzle mates for long term standing even carpet.  It all depends on what your horse needs.  I work on a foundered horse that has rock hard hooves. I tried using a baby diper in his Trails.  Cut to fit, then added water.  Did not know that the inside part would swell up so much.  Then since the diper was cut, all the inside squished out.  What a sight.  It still did what i wanted, soften the hoof.  Next i tried a med feminan pad.  That worked a lot better.  The thing about hooves, is you really need to think out of the box.  It helps alot to ask question, as you are doing.  Good luck 
--
Diann Kuzma
One Hoof at a Time
PHCP Practitioner
Joined 2018

Can anyone suggest a hoof boot for a horse with  high heels and a steep angle? She has a bit of high low syndrome. I've sent pictures to scoot boot and they told me that their boots won't work for my horse. I making due with a pair of easyboot gloves. But it's hard to get  her toe  all the way to the front, even though the width is right (and I have the wide version). After walking around in them a bit her toe seems to slip into the front, but the gaiter around the ankle is very loose and gaping. I'd like to leave them on full time until she gets sound, but I'm afraid she'll catch the gaiter on something, so they come off at night. And I'm also worried that because it may be a bit loose in the toe, that the break over is in the wrong place, which isn't helping her with her heel first landing. You can see pictures of her hoof in Ella's photos. It's her right front that is the problem.
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Susan in BC 2020
Copper and Ella's Case Histories
Ella's Photos

HI Joella, 
I am a big fan of Flex Hoof Boots. I did 8 miles last weekend through mud, creek, off trail, rocks, hills basically the whole gambit. My mare did not take a wrong step and some areas were muddy and we went up steep hills.  But you asked about pads. The same company makes Kevlar pads that i like in my boots.  My mare does not necessarily need them, but she seems to go better than ever in her life. 

The owner is Lindy and she is super nice and helpful if you call her.  Hope this helps in your search. 

https://flexhoofbootstampa.com/collections/accessories-for-your-flex-hoof-boots

--
Mary Marzec, Chelsea MI, 2012
Mary/Katie Case HIstory

 Hello! 

Lavina,  thank you for your wonderfully informative comment to my last question! I learned a lot which was my goal ☺️ So thank you! ☺️

Regarding pads, what types of materials would provide support but still allow for pressure and release?  And does such a thing exist in a low profile that could be used in boots?   I’m not thinking a wedge pad per se. But if such a material exists I suppose it could be glued together in several layers to create the desired wedge height. What comes to mind right off is rubber. 🧐🤔

I’ve wandered around hardware stores and auto parts stores and craft stores and wondered about the utility of some of the items. Just wondering if there’s a material that works wonderfully that I haven’t yet found mentioned in a post this group. 🙂

Thanks so much! 
--
Joella Foust 
Montana
2015
27y owner 
13y trim own
11y rehab
Bronwynn
https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/files/Joella%20and%20Bronwynn/Bronwynn/Bronwynn%20Case%20History.pdf
https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/album?id=91706&p=pcreated,,,20,2,0,0
https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/files/Joella%20and%20Bronwynn/Hay%20Analysis/Lewistown%20Hay%202018.pdf
Negrette, Oliver, Riley, Graybee, Diesel, Zsa Zsa, Bronwynn
Asleep: Hunter, Snip, Houston, Frisky, RyeLee, #5

Hi Bobbie,

It sounds like his toes can come back even more than they already are. The squaring-off is due to him wearing them down himself as he breaks over the center of the hoof - a perfectly normal occurrence that we don't generally notice when the feet are shod or when the toes aren't too long. He doesn't wear the rest as much so you see the amount of growth/excess very clearly.

You're welcome to send pix as well.

--
Lavinia

Moderator/ECIR Support

Computer took a bit to update.  Yippie
--
Diann Kuzma
One Hoof at a Time
PHCP Practitioner
Joined 2018