Step-By-Step Guides
3D Hoof Care
Learn how to maintain healthy hooves for your equine athlete utilizing our 3D pads
![Combining Shoe with a 3D pad.](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6022c0b32d7994ba2833ffe2/64cc6763f40fa6c9d74d14b7_HoofCast%20-%20Step%201.webp)
Step 1: Combining Shoe with a 3D pad
Nail or rivet the pad to the shoe. There is guideline to trim a toe clip notch. For side clips, tap the shoe clip side down to mark the clip area to remove.
![Fitting the pad to the shoe.](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6022c0b32d7994ba2833ffe2/64cc67652f70d1454f1830b9_HoofCast%20-%20Step%202.webp)
Step 2: Fit the Pad to the Shoe
Use nippers and a rasp, pad cutter or belt sander to to fit the pad.
![Adding DIM](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6022c0b32d7994ba2833ffe2/64cc676463171ef951d2b44c_HoofCast%20-%20Step%203.webp)
Step 3: Add DIM
Take equal amounts of DIM, the amount will depend on pad size, type, and sole depth for adequate coverage.
![Mixing the DIM together.](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6022c0b32d7994ba2833ffe2/64cc6763bfe9af768eacb4a8_HoofCast%20-%20Step%204.webp)
Step 4: Mix Together
Mix these 2 parts until a uniform color is achieved. This will start curing immediately so must be applied before this cures to its final hardness.
![Placing DIM](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6022c0b32d7994ba2833ffe2/64cc6764bfe9af768eacb63d_HoofCast%20-%20Step%205.webp)
Step 5: Place DIM
Place the DIM into the bar and frog crevices as shown here.
![Positioning the shoe and pad on the hoof.](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6022c0b32d7994ba2833ffe2/64cc6764d6359adcca186d2d_HoofCast%20-%20Step%206.webp)
Step 6: Position
Position your shoe and pad and apply 2 nails to secure the shoe in position.
![Placing the horse's foot on the ground.](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6022c0b32d7994ba2833ffe2/64cc6764602be14b9bfa9d44_HoofCast%20-%20Step%207.webp)
Step 7: Set Foot Down
While the DIM is still soft set the foot down and lift the opposite limb to bear weight.
![Squeezing out the excess material.](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6022c0b32d7994ba2833ffe2/64cc6763f37b10e484ccc6e8_HoofCast%20-%20Step%208.webp)
Step 8: Squeeze Out Material
This process will squeeze out any excess material and is a very important process. If you do not do this the cured material will feel like a rock in the foot and cause discomfort and subsequent lameness.
![Removing any excess DIM.](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6022c0b32d7994ba2833ffe2/64cc67639063e7b30d0f33ab_HoofCast%20-%20Step%209.webp)
Step 9: Remove Excess DIM
Remove any excess DIM while it is still soft as once it cures it will be difficult to clean and smooth out.
![Applying nails and clenching.](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6022c0b32d7994ba2833ffe2/64cc6764e377e022d60ea9b6_HoofCast%20-%20Step%2010.webp)
Step 10: Apply Nails & Clench
Apply the balance of nails and clench up as normal. Congratulations on applying a 3DHoofCare pad.
HoofCast Guide
Learn how to maintain healthy hooves for your equine athlete utilizing our HoofCast product
![First step of the hoof casting process showing the preparation and glue application on a horse's hoof.](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6022c0b32d7994ba2833ffe2/64fe71503ba4d520dd6601fb_HoofCast%20-%20Step%201.webp)
Preparation and glue application
Dress the hoof lightly and apply glue around the hoof with a liberal amount at the heels as these are the anchor points
![Second step of the hoof casting process showing the cast being applied to the horses hoof.](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6022c0b32d7994ba2833ffe2/64fe714f51efba349f53960c_HoofCast%20-%20Step%202.webp)
Applying the cast
Once your glue is applied start wrapping your cast around the hoof. In order to have wider quarters for nailing and not create a longer toe, I normally double back on my casting at the quarter. Do a full wrap every 2-3 turns to hold the cast in place
![Third step of the hoof casting process showing water being applied to the cast.](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6022c0b32d7994ba2833ffe2/64fe714f2994b2723ac84b8c_HoofCast%20-%20Step%203.webp)
Apply Water
Use a sponge and lightly wet the entire cast you have applied. The water and exposure to air are what is needed for casting material to set hard
![Fourth step of the hoof casting process showing the hoof and cast being wrapped in plastic.](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6022c0b32d7994ba2833ffe2/64fe71504af28a2a7c84018e_HoofCast%20-%20Step%204.webp)
Plastic wrap
Plastic wrap the hoof extensively to hold the cast in position until the glue and cast have cured.
The cast will start curing after 5 minutes and fully set after 20 minutes and the warmer the weather the faster it will set.
Should the cast be dry and not fully set then sponge with water again and wrap until it cures
![Fifth step of the hoof casting process showing the removal of the heel section.](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6022c0b32d7994ba2833ffe2/64fe7150789e623c027dbd05_HoofCast%20-%20Step%205.webp)
Remove heel section
It is important to remove this heel section as it will constrict normal hoof movement.
If you have to leave it in, please ensure it is less than 3 layers thick and does not stay full for more than 10 days.
If your horse is confined than the full shoeing period is fine
![Sixth step of the hoof casting process showing a horse shoe nailed to a hoof with the cast applied.](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6022c0b32d7994ba2833ffe2/64fe714f8c5ca2fdb225225a_HoofCast%20-%20Step%206.webp)
Nailing
Nail to the cast as if you have a thick walled horse.
You do not need to block your nails or undercut your clinches as the material accepts the bedded clinch very nicely
3D Hoof Pad Application
The following video shows the step-by-step procedure for applying a 3D Hoof Pad to horse
Quick Hoof Casting Demo
The following video shows the step-by-step process of applying HoofCast to a horse
HoofCast and Plating
The following video shows the step-by-step guide to applying HoofCast and plating a racehorse