What Are Plastic Horseshoes?
Plastic horseshoes—often called composite or synthetic shoes—are hoof protectors made from polyurethane, urethane, or similar polymers. They can be pure plastic, a plastic-and-metal hybrid, or a plastic shell over a steel core. Because they weigh a fraction of a traditional steel shoe and flex with the hoof, they have become popular among leisure riders, endurance competitors, and therapeutic farriers alike.
Why Riders And Farriers Are Switching From Steel
Field experience over the last decade shows a steady uptick in requests for plastic horseshoes whenever shock absorption, weight reduction, or hoof rehabilitation is a priority. Below are the most common reasons owners and farriers cite when reaching for plastic rather than metal.
- Lightweight stride: A synthetic shoe can weigh 50–70 % less than its steel counterpart, reducing limb fatigue on long rides.
- Shock dampening: Independent tests conducted for several brands show impacts reduced by as much as 60 %, lowering concussion on joints and internal hoof structures.
- Natural hoof function: Because most plastic designs flex, the heels can expand and contract more freely, supporting circulation and frog engagement.
- Customizable traction: Inserts, tungsten pins, or molded tread patterns can be added only where a horse needs them, rather than covering the entire foot with metal.
Key Plastic Horseshoe Brands And How They Differ
The synthetic category is broad, so choosing starts with understanding each brand’s construction and ideal use case.
Duplo Composite Horseshoe
Hybrid design with a steel core and plastic rim. Quarter clips on the standard model keep the shoe secure when nailed. Owners in snow country report less balling up thanks to the smooth plastic sole, while plastic knobs on the ground surface add mild traction and reduce torsion. Farriers can grind the plastic edges or widen the metal inlay to fine-tune the fit. A variety of traction profiles—stud holes, ice spikes, or a heavily textured toe—allow the shoe to move from arena footing to rocky trails without wholesale replacement. More details, sizes, and modification photos are available at Hoof Hoof Hooray.
HOOF-it Natural Flex Plastic Horseshoe
A single-piece urethane shoe designed for maximum concussion relief. The full-surface frog support mimics a barefoot load pattern and stimulates circulation. Where steel shoes often leave compromised feet sore, this model’s forgiving material helps horses transition out of bar shoes or wedge pads. According to the manufacturer’s data sheet on American Farriers, each pair is warrantied for one entire shoeing cycle (6–8 weeks), even for heavy horses.
PolySteel Plastic Equiflex Hind Horseshoes
Built for endurance, this shoe blends a special urethane compound with a double-bridge design that allows farriers to adjust width on the anvil. Riders covering 50–100 mile races appreciate the combination of flexibility on impact and rigidity under propulsion. The brand’s FAQ at EDSS notes that most pairs last two race seasons when horses live in stalls and train on variable ground.
EponaShoe
A nail-on, glue-on, or cast-on polyurethane shoe that allows the whole hoof capsule to flex naturally. Farriers working on laminitic or thin-soled horses value the ease of pairing EponaShoe with impression material, essentially turning the shoe into a therapy pad. The brand’s case library, hosted at EponaMind, showcases Olympic dressage horses competing in composites without sacrificing precision.
Practical Experience: Fitting And Maintenance Tips
Plastic shoes are not simply “nail on and forget.” Below are best-practice pointers refined through dozens of real barns and farrier workshops:
- Use a sharp clinching block: Urethane’s elasticity can rebound under standard clinchers, leaving nails loose. A finer-toothed clinching block seats the nail head without crushing the material.
- Pre-drill if necessary: Some farriers drill pilot holes in the clip area so quarter clips sit flush, reducing the chance of micro cracks under repeated loading.
- Balance heat while shaping: Composite shoes can be warmed with a heat gun for subtle tweaks—do not exceed 150 °C or the plastic will blister.
- Monitor wear patterns: Because plastics abrade differently than steel, check toe and heel wear every two weeks during the first cycle to confirm your horse is landing evenly.
The short video below shows the process of fastening a plastic shoe in real time. Notice how the farrier keeps the hoof low and nails high to avoid flex stress.
Are Plastic Horseshoes Right For Every Horse?
While composite shoes solve many problems, they are not a universal remedy. Horses working on asphalt or concrete (carriage horses, police mounts) may still need studded steel for extreme traction. Draft breeds pulling heavy loads can sometimes overpower mid-density urethane shoes, crushing the toe faster than a farrier can reset. Additionally, certain disciplines—FEI-level show-jumping, for instance—have rules on shoeing materials, so always verify regulations before competition.
An often-overlooked alternative is the polyurethane hoof boot. According to the overview at Wikipedia, boots cover the entire hoof and come off after work, making them ideal for barefoot transitions or short-term medical protection. Some riders combine plastic front shoes with hind boots on mountain trails, balancing traction and cost.
Cost, Longevity, And Environmental Considerations
Upfront, a pair of plastic horseshoes can run 1.5–3 times the price of standard keg shoes. However, many farriers observe that the labor savings—fewer pads, less forging, minimal borium application—offset the material cost. In my own practice shoeing endurance Arabs in the high desert, a Duplo set often lasts two resets, equating to 8-10 weeks of continuous use on granite footing.
Disposal is another variable. Polyurethane is not biodegradable, yet most brands encourage riders to return worn shoes for recycling into arena footing or new composite molds. While steel can be melted down, plastic reprocessing has a comparable carbon footprint when transport is factored in, so the environmental ledger remains neutral in many regions.
Final Thoughts: Choosing The Best Option For Your Horse
Plastic horseshoes are no longer experimental gear; they are a mature, field-tested option backed by competitive results and therapeutic success stories. Whether you select the rigid-core Duplo, the shock-absorbing HOOF-it Natural Flex, the endurance-minded PolySteel Equiflex, or the therapy-friendly EponaShoe, your decision should balance workload, terrain, hoof health history, and competition rules.
Consult a qualified farrier who has experience with composites, watch the fitting demonstrations, and schedule early performance checks during the first cycle. With correct selection and workmanship, plastic horseshoes can keep horses sounder, longer, and freer in their movement—one stride at a time.
Disclaimer
The information above is based on hands-on hoof care experience, manufacturer data, and publicly available resources. Always work with a professional farrier and veterinarian when making hoof care decisions unique to your horse.