Hoof Pads for Professional Farriers
Hoof pads are used by farriers for a wide range of horseshoeing applications, from everyday sole protection and shock absorption to traction, seasonal snow management, hoof-angle adjustments, and therapeutic support. Because every horse, hoof, and shoeing package is different, choosing the correct pad material, shape, thickness, and support features is an important part of building an appropriate shoeing setup.
Well-Shod carries a broad selection of farrier hoof pads for horses, including aluminum, leather, plastic, rubber, snow, and specialty pads, along with pad rivets, nails, and professional pad-cutting tools.
Aluminum Hoof Pads
Aluminum hoof pads provide a firm, durable option for farriers who need added protection or structural support within a shoeing package. Different aluminum pad designs can be used depending on the hoof, shoe, and intended application.
Because aluminum maintains its shape under load, these pads can be useful when a more rigid material is preferred over leather, plastic, or rubber. As with any therapeutic or corrective shoeing application, pad selection should be based on the individual horse and the goals of the farrier and veterinarian when applicable.
Leather Hoof Pads
Leather hoof pads remain a traditional choice in farriery because leather provides durable hoof coverage while retaining some natural flexibility. Well-Shod carries leather pad options in multiple styles for different shoeing applications.
Depending on the product, farriers can choose from flat, wedge, bar-wedge, rim, draft, and other leather-pad configurations. Leather pads may also be used with hoof packing or impression material when additional sole support or cushioning is required.
Plastic & Synthetic Hoof Pads
Our plastic hoof pads category includes one of the widest selections of pad styles on the Well-Shod site. Plastic and synthetic pads are available in many shapes, thicknesses, materials, and support configurations for performance, everyday, and therapeutic horseshoeing applications.
Options include wedge pads, rim pads, frog-support designs, open-toe pads, caudal-support pads, perforated pads, shock-absorbing designs, and other specialized configurations. For example, the Natural Balance Perforated Pad is designed with molded openings that can help retain injectable or silicone sole-support materials within the hoof.
Farriers looking for additional caudal-support options can also explore designs such as the Edens Plexus Open Toe Flat Pad, which incorporates a large frog plate and openings designed to work with impression materials.
Rubber Hoof Pads
Rubber hoof pads provide another material option for farriers who want flexibility and cushioning within a shoeing package. Rubber construction can offer different characteristics than rigid aluminum or traditional leather pads, making it useful to compare materials based on the horse, shoe, terrain, and intended level of support.
Snow Pads for Horses
Winter conditions can allow snow and ice to pack into the bottom of a shod hoof. Horse snow pads are designed to help reduce snowballing beneath the hoof during winter use.
Well-Shod carries snow-pad designs from brands including Castle, Kahn, Kerckhaert, and Mustad, with different configurations available depending on the shoeing system and hoof shape.
Specialty & Therapeutic Hoof Pads
Some horseshoeing situations call for designs that go beyond a conventional flat or wedge pad. Our specialty hoof pads include products intended for specific support, protection, cushioning, and hoof-management applications.
These products may include frog-support, sole-support, shock-absorbing, specialty therapeutic, and other purpose-built pad designs. Because these applications can vary considerably from horse to horse, farriers should select the pad and accompanying material according to the individual hoof and the intended shoeing plan.
Hoof Pad Rivets & Nails
Properly attaching the pad to the horseshoe is an important step in preparing a complete shoeing package. Well-Shod carries hoof pad rivets and nails in several sizes for securing pads to horseshoes before application.
The current selection includes copper rivets, copper slating nails, and split rivets, giving farriers different fastening options depending on pad material and shoe preparation.
Professional Farrier Pad Cutters
Hoof pads often require trimming and shaping to match the horseshoe and finished hoof package. Browse our professional pad cutters for tools designed specifically for cutting and preparing common pad materials.
One option is the ICAR Pad Cutter, designed for cutting common hoof-pad materials and providing the leverage needed when working with thicker pad stock.
Choosing the Right Hoof Pad
The right hoof pad depends on more than material alone. Farriers may need to consider hoof shape, shoe type, pad thickness, wedge angle, frog and sole support, terrain, discipline, seasonal conditions, and whether packing or impression material will be used beneath the pad.
A performance horse, a horse working in winter conditions, and a horse being managed with a therapeutic shoeing package may each require very different pad characteristics. Matching the pad to the individual application helps create a more deliberate and functional shoeing setup.
Find Hoof Pads & Pad Supplies for Your Shoeing Setup
From traditional leather and aluminum pads to modern synthetic, snow, and specialty support designs, Well-Shod carries hoof pads and accessories for a wide range of professional farrier applications. You can also find the rivets, nails, cutters, and related supplies needed to prepare pads for installation.
Need help locating a particular hoof pad, size, style, or accessory? Contact Well-Shod and our team will be happy to help you find the product you are looking for.