EasyCare has been working on the glue-on process for a couple years now. We have a very good set of instructions for glue-on application that have worked extremely well for hundreds of riders and thousands of installations. Although our current application methods are working we continue to seek better methods. Methods that are better for the horse, quicker and easier on the pocketbook.
Chris Martin has been working with the Goober Glue for many months now. He continues to try different methods and most recently has been mixing a bit of water with Goober Glue to accelerate the curing process. I have been using the Goober Glue as a packing (I think it's the best boot packing material available) but I have only used the Goober Glue for a couple full installs due to the longer set up time. I did a complete install yesterday using Goober Glue and the new instructions posted by Chris Martin.
I have to say that I'm impressed with the Goober Glue and the new method really speeds up the process. Here are a couple photos that show the new method.
I used a small plastic cup and squeezed in five pumps. Next I added a 1/2 teaspoon of water. The key to the whole process is mixing the Goober Glue and water together. The better you mix it up the quicker the set time.
I purchased a small paint mixer and added it to my DeWalt. The mixer and DeWalt really mixed the Goober Glue and water well. I think the mixing is the key!
The next step is to use a putty knife and apply a thick bead of Goober Glue to the walls of the shell. The boot is then slipped on the hoof. Give the boot a quick twist to smear the glue. Then twist back to center and let the horse stand.
Put a small bead around the top of the shell. Use your finger to spread it out and make it look nice.
What you didn't see in photos is I also used the putty knife to apply the Goober Glue to the sole area. This makes the install a bit trickier but it was a non issue. I was surprised how quickly the Goober Glue set. It was very tacky and set in roughly 5 minutes.
So whats the big deal with Goober Glue? Why are we spending time with this process if the current process works so well? I'll list the reasons below.
1. I believe the Goober Glue is the best packing available and provides the perfect cushion and support for our barefoot horses. This support removes peripheral loading inside the boot and gives the sole and frog the support the doctor ordered. Read more here.
2. Goober Glue is very tacky and sticks very well to the hoof and Easyboot Glue-On shell. It sticks so well to the sole of the hoof that very little moisture gets inside the shell. On one of my last installs I peeled Goober Glue off the hoof, the bond was so good that no water was between the sole and Goober Glue.
3. Goober Glue sets with water. Much easier to work with when the hoof is wet. No need for denatured alcohol. In fact denatured alcohol is bad for the Goober Glue set up process (recently learned that).
4. Goober Glue is easy to remove from the shell after use.
5. It has a nice price point and can be used in a standard caulking gun.
6. The bond between shell and hoof wall is flexible. The Goober Glue will elongate many times before the bond breaks.
The only thing I don't like is the set up time. Mixing with water makes the set up time much quicker and mush less an issue.
To learn more about Goober Glue and how to purchase click here.
you mix it then put it in a caulking gun?
Posted by: gene limlaw | August 31, 2009 at 05:02 AM
So what did you do with the sole? The GG site says that it shouldn't be on the sole when you apply the boot because it is slippery ...
So did you drill holes to apply it later, or something different?
Posted by: John Haeberle | September 01, 2009 at 05:11 AM