Nailed It (Without Nails): My First Glue-On Experience

For over a decade, I’ve been my horses’ farrier. I still check in with my vet and local farrier now and then, and their encouragement has been so validating. But for the most part, I’ve managed everything myself.

Over the years, I’ve primarily relied on hoof boots. They’ve served me well, but I’ve also used both metal and synthetic shoes at times, usually for endurance races or when we were riding consistently over rough terrain and boots became more of a hassle than a help.

Don’t get me wrong! Boots can be fantastic. But unless your horse has textbook hooves for them, they can be wildly frustrating. Even when your horse does have perfect boot feet (looking at you, Q!), I've still had to wrestle with twisted or broken boots. Interrupting a ride to fix a malfunction is just not my idea of a good time.

For a while now, I’ve been craving a hoof protection solution I could apply myself. Something that didn’t involve nails but also offered more security than boots. I’d seen endurance riders find success with glue-on boots, but for some reason, they never really called to me. 

But as glue-on and synthetic shoe technology has evolved, my interest piqued. The past few years have brought so many new products and materials into the scene. I started paying attention. I read everything I could get my hands on. I joined online groups, especially the Facebook Glue-On group, and saved dozens of detailed posts from experienced farriers. I’ve learned so much from that community from application and removal tips to troubleshooting and product comparisons.

After three years of lurking, learning, and saving posts like my life depended on it… I finally took the plunge.

This summer, I glued shoes onto Griffin for the first time. 

Some of my prep material laid out as I double-checked my list; the shoes zip tied to Grif so they'd stay put while I applied glue; wrapped post-glue application; the messy-but-effective final product before I sealed it in super glue. 

To my relief, the process went much smoother than expected. Likely thanks to the hours (and hours) I spent researching beforehand. I definitely have room to improve my technique and confidence, but for a first attempt? I’m proud of it. The shoes have held up beautifully through weather and plenty of riding for over three weeks now.

While I haven’t been riding at the same volume or intensity I was during my peak endurance days, I haven’t exactly taken it easy either. We've done plenty of miles involving climbing, descending, off-camber traverses, mud, rocks, and water. And the glue-ons? Still solid.