Easyboot Glue-Ons with Gorilla Glue and Athletic Tape

I tried a new Easyboot Glue-On application technique with Gorilla Glue and athletic tape.  I got the idea one night as Jeremy Reynolds and I discussed boots and different application techniques.  Jeremy was talking about Gorilla Glue and I thought it may work with the athletic tape.  If it works, it would be a low cost alternative to the other adhesives. 

Here is what I tried today.  I glued the Easyboot Glue-On shells in place using the technique below.  I have not ridden in them yet but I believe this technique may work.  I'll keep you posted.

First.  Clean up the hoof walls and rough with the rasp.

Apply the athletic tape to the hoof where the boot will fit.  Two or three wraps works well.

Dampen the athletic tape with water.

Apply the Gorilla Glue to the athletic tape.

Apply the Easyboot Glue-On shell.

The Gorilla Glue reacts to the moisture in the tape and starts to set and expand.  It foams as it sets. 

Let the horse stand quiet for 30 minutes. 

I have a big ride planned for the weekend.  I'll let you know if the technique works.

Comments

[WhiteHorse]

I'm curious to hear how the Gorilla Glue works out. I've used it for some woodworking projects and what a mess it is to clean up after it expands/cures. It lives up to its name.

[Susan Gill]

Hi Garrett, have you used a size bigger boot in this experiment? There's a couple of layers of tape, + the expanding glue, yet the "Vee" at the front of the boot looks fairly straight like there isn't much stretching happening which I thought was an indicator that the boot might be too big for the hoof...?
Just curious :) Susan.

[Lauren]

The boots with the athletic tape and gorilla glue stayed on for 2 days until I took them off. The horse was ridden three times, an arena workout and two trail workouts totaling 20 miles +. Up and down hills, rocks, steep stuff, walk, trot, galloping etc. I'm pretty sure the boots would stay on for a 50 but I wouldn't trust them on a multi-day.

Getting them off took a little elbow grease but not as much as I was expecting and certainly not as hard as with Adhere. The boots are very useable for another session. I plan to ride with the boots again this week but only with a dab of gorilla glue.

So Garrett, how were your boot trials this weekend?

[Garrett Ford]

Yes, the boots are a touch big for this horse. He also grows allot of toe and has low angles. We did a tough ride today and I'll see how they come off tomorrow.

Garrett

[Garrett Ford]

Lauren- Thanks for the feedback. My boots are still in place after some difficult miles. I pulled at the sides today and could tell my bond between tape and boot was better than between tape and hoof. I'm thinking the hoof may need a bit of Gorilla Glue before the tape?

I'll pull them tomorrow and see how they look.

Thanks for the testing and feedback.

Garrett

[Denise Frick]

I finally got to test this out... boy was I impressed and happy! Since I only do 1 day NATRC events at a Novice pace (3.5-5mph) I want my boots to last. But because of the rules, I have to use something below the coronet. I only compete every 5 or so weeks, so to throw the boots out after only say 24 miles would be a huge waste. This might just be the answer for me! Thank you Garrett and whoever thought of the tape idea! I again am impressed with Easycare for helping their customers with solution after solution.