Recently, Derek Poupard CJF, DipWCF introduced a new, very simplistic, easy-to-apply pad that readily addresses many of the farriery principles discussed in our lead article. These pads can be used with any type of shoe that is open at the heels. The pad is injection molded using a rubber elastomer material. The material makes it thin and light weight yet firm and resilient. The dorsal part of the pad is in the form of a rim and at the middle of the foot it forms a wide expanse including a frog plate that covers the palmar/plantar section of the foot. There are holes placed in the pad corresponding to the frog and frog sulci, so when dental impression is added, it forms even uniform pressure under the soft tissue structures of the foot. Finally, there is an arm that connects the dorsal and palmar section of the pad for stability. When applied properly, the pad has all the properties to make the palmar/plantar section of the foot ‘load sharing’. It is always helpful to note that all aspects of applying farriery begin with the appropriate trim.
STEP-BY-STEP APPLICATION GUIDE

STEP 1. Foot trimmed to approximate proportions and heels trimmed to the base of the frog or to the same horizontal plane as the frog.
STEP 2. Once the shoe is fit to the foot, the pad can be adjusted to fit the shoe. The frog plate is adjusted to fit the space between the heels of the shoe to form a mirror image of the frog.
STEP 3. Nail or rivet the pad to the shoe. There is guideline in the pad to cut a notch for a toe clip. When using side clips, tap the shoe with the clip side down to mark the pad and then cut a notch. Using nippers and a rasp, a pad cutter, or a belt sander to trim the pad around the perimeter of shoe.
STEP 4 STEP 5 STEP 6 STEP 7
STEP 4. Using equal amounts of FootPro DIM (Impression Material), mix until a uniform color is achieved. The amount of impression material needed will depend on pad size, frog sulci depth and surface area of frog to be covered. DIM will start curing immediately, so it must be applied quickly before becoming too firm.
STEP 5. Place the FootPro DIM between the heels of the hoof capsule and push down into frog sulci as shown here.
STEP 6. Position the shoe and pad on the foot, press pad into the proper position and secure with two nails. With the DIM still soft, place the foot on the ground and lift the opposite limb, spreading the impression material evenly under the pad. This process will press excess material out through the holes in the pad and ensure a smooth, uniform distribution.
STEP 7. Remove excess DIM with a finger or cloth while still soft. It is difficult to remove once it cures. Apply the remainder of the nails and clench in a routine manner.