Joker: 21-year-old Quarter Horse gelding with arthritis
My horse’s name is Joker. He is a 21-year-old Quarter Horse gelding. Despite his age, he is still very motivated and is mainly used for leisure riding, especially for longer trail rides and trekking rides.
Joker has a special history: due to a misalignment in his front right leg, arthritis has developed over the years. Because of this, regular and very precise hoof correction every four weeks is absolutely necessary to keep him moving as pain-free as possible.
Why traditional hoof protection was not ideal for Joker
Because of his misalignment and the resulting arthritis, finding the right hoof protection had been an important topic for us for quite some time. Traditional metal shoes were not a good solution for Joker, as they are too rigid and cannot flexibly adapt to his individual hoof situation. They also could not simply be removed in between, which was a disadvantage given his regular hoof care schedule.
We also tried hoof boots, especially for our longer trail rides. At first, they were a good alternative, but in the long run they proved to be impractical. Especially on our frequent long rides over challenging terrain, the hoof boots wore down quickly. In addition, putting them on and taking them off was time-consuming, and on longer rides there were always uncertainties regarding fit and hold.
Why we chose the RUNA glue-on hoof protection
In the end, we chose the Hoofstar RUNA glue-on hoof protection for several reasons. It was important to us to find a solution that was both flexible and gentle on the hoof, while also working well alongside regular hoof corrections. The glue-on seemed to meet exactly these requirements.
Another important point was that RUNA offers an alternative to rigid metal shoes while also providing a lasting everyday solution — without the constant putting on and taking off required with hoof boots.
Hoof protection for gravel, asphalt and trail rides in the Swabian Jura
We mainly ride out on trails, especially in the Swabian Jura. This means very varied ground conditions: lots of gravel, stretches of asphalt, forest tracks, but also meadows and occasional sandy sections. The many gravel paths in particular are a challenge for sensitive or previously affected hooves.
Our rides are often longer, especially when trail riding, and take place several times a week. That is why reliable and robust hoof protection is essential for us.
Gentle movement on trails despite arthritis
Joker is a classic leisure horse, but he is worked regularly. We are out riding about three to four times a week, mostly on trails. We also occasionally go on longer trail rides.
Due to his age and arthritis, he is of course exercised in an adapted and gentle way, but movement is very important for him. We like to ride straight ahead and therefore spend a lot of time out on trails, as tight turns are not good for him because of his arthritis.
Our everyday experience with RUNA
Overall, the fitting and application of the RUNA glue-on hoof protection went well, even though it was unfamiliar to us at first. In everyday use, RUNA quickly proved itself. We were especially impressed by the stable hold, even on difficult surfaces such as gravel or asphalt.
The fit is reliable, and we no longer had to worry about anything slipping or getting lost — a major advantage compared to hoof boots. Handling has also become much more relaxed, as there is no need for daily putting on and taking off.
What we learned when switching to glue-on hoof protection
Especially at the beginning, there were of course some uncertainties. We were not sure how well the glue-on hoof protection would really hold and whether it could withstand the demands of trail riding. Switching from hoof boots to a permanent glue-on solution was also unfamiliar at first.
One challenge was finding the right rhythm and the best way to combine it with regular hoof corrections. Close cooperation with our hoof care professional helped us a lot with this.
Looking back, we would seek more detailed advice right from the start and perhaps take the step toward glue-on hoof protection sooner. Many of our initial concerns turned out to be unfounded in everyday use.
Conclusion: RUNA as reliable glue-on hoof protection for Joker
I would use the RUNA glue-on hoof protection again at any time. For horses like Joker, who have special hoof requirements and are worked regularly, it is a very good solution.
In my opinion, RUNA is especially suitable for horses that are ridden on trails, have sensitive hooves, or for whom traditional metal shoes are not ideal.
My personal conclusion: RUNA has made our everyday life much easier and gives me the confidence that Joker can move well and as comfortably as possible, even on challenging ground. Especially in combination with regular and professional hoof care, it is the best solution we have found so far.
Thank you to Tine Gänßler from Pferd in Harmony for this experience report.