Remove any flares and/or dishing. Make sure the hoof is in the middle of the bony column; check the wall thickness on both the medial and lateral sides, uneven wall thickness is a sign of imbalanced feet. Try to achieve the best hoof angle that you can get. Do not cut the toe area to close to the sole you can always add shims to the ground surface of the shoe before you cast the hoof. Fit the shoe full and in the center of the boney column the cast will fill in areas where the shoe is hanging over the hoof to provide the support that is needed.
Wrapping A Hoof With Equicast
Starting the Wrapping Process
Attach a pre-shaped Eventer type shoe with fitted clips, make sure the shoe is secure. Place the casting tape in a bucket of cold water for about 5 seconds squeeze out excess water. Start near the hair line unrolling the tape across the heel area cross under the bulbs of the hoof. In a counter clock wise motion alternate the wrapping process, go high on the medial heal low on the lateral heel on the next wrap go high on the lateral heel then low on the medial heel. If you are unsure of the wrapping process practice with either vet wrap or an ace bandage. You only have about 1minute before the cast starts setting up.
Note: Do not get any casting tape on the hairline or the soft heel area. If you do, trim while the cast is curing.
Finished Cast
Casting For Under A Shoe
When
applying a cast and then nailing/gluing a shoe onto the cast it's
important to have a level and flat cast. If the heel area is deep or
medication is needed: filling with silicone, dental impression
material, Vettec SilK-Pak, CS or Equi-Pak helps hold the packing in and
distribute weight. After wrapping the hoof make sure there are no major
lumps or winkles then place the freshly cast hoof on a hard flat
surface, pick up the opposite foot for 20 seconds, this expands the new
cast to a weight bearing shape. Moisture does
not affect the integrity of the cast and air can still reach the hoof.
Stand New Cast on a pyramid of sand or foam block.
Forming The Cast To The Bottom Of A Hoof
Press the casting tape to the bottom of the hoof make sure there are no lumps or folds on the sole. Place about a quart of sawdust, shavings, or soft sand on the floor (like a pyramid) then place the freshly cast hoof on the pyramid. This will press the cast up into the sole area, adding support to the sole and frog of the hoof. Lift the opposite hoof off the ground for about 30 to 45 seconds. This allows the hoof you just wrapped to expand within the cast.
