FIRM– The “Workhorse” of SURE FOOT Products
- Benefit: Long-term use to aid in improvement of overall horse health and well-being.
- Color Coded: Coated with Green DuraFlex, a highly durable, anti-microbial coating.
- Shape: Rectangular shape allows the different density pads to be paired or stacked for ease of use.
- Size: 10”x12”x2” (25cmx30cmx5cm) so that there is sufficient area for the horse’s hoof and thickness to withstand the compression under the horse’s weight.
- Pad Weight: Each pad weighs 6.5 oz (184 grams).
- Weight load limit: Can be used with horses of any size, weight or breed.
Genuine SURE FOOT Equine FIRM Pads have Green DuraFlex coated top stamped with the official SURE FOOT logo and an are charcoal on the other side. They are packaged in pairs along with a Warranty Card registration form and QR code for immediate access to the SURE FOOT® Equine website.
Choose the FIRM Pad for calm horses if you can only start with one density. It is the most versatile of the SURE FOOT Equine Pads. This flat Pad offers more lateral give than HARD but is not as challenging as MEDIUM and SOFT.
The FIRM Pad may be used with any size or weight horse who is typically calm and easily accepts new ideas. For horses over 17 hands and 1800 pounds the HARD Pad is recommended as the FIRM may compress too much to give sufficient feedback at first.
The FIRM Pad has two working surfaces; diffuse (green) and direct (charcoal) giving your horse two choices. Pads may be used same side up, or one up and one down. You can feel this difference yourself by standing bare footed with one foot on each surface.
Generally, FIRM is considered the starter pad – unless you have an anxious, weak or nervous horse, one rehabilitating from injury or accident, or returning to work after a long break. In these cases, you would start with the HARD pad to avoid overtaxing your horse in the beginning.
- Pads are suitable for use on any surface with horses that are shod, bare foot and/or wearing boots.
- Pads will show wear over time. Nicks, tears and cuts are considered normal wear and tear and do not limit the effects of the pads in any way
*When using the pads in a cold environment (below 40°F or 4° C) use the uncoated surface. The DuraFlex surface stiffens slightly in cold temperatures and may crack. This type of blemish does not affect the function or performance of the pad, simply the look.
Other SURE FOOT pads include: Soft, Medium, Hard and Slant. The SURE FOOT Program can be combined with other modalities of equine bodywork and training.
To learn more go to the Murdoch Method YouTube channel, Murdoch Method, LLC Facebook page or www.murdochmethod.com
Be sure to familiarize yourself with the SURE FOOT instructional video before starting this program with your horse. If there is any medical issues please consult your veterinarian before beginning SURE FOOT to be sure this program is right for your horse.
You can learn more about the SURE FOOT Program and pads on-line.**
Fact Sheet:
They are made of as much environmentally friendly material as possible, designed and tested by Wendy Murdoch, carry the official SURE FOOT Logo and are assembled in the State of Maine, USA.
Firm is the introductory pad in the SURE FOOT lineup.
Firm gives immediately under the horse’s weight with some rebound effect.
Each Firm pad has two workable surfaces—a diffuse and a direct response surface.
Can be used with horses of any size, weight or breed. Variation in the pads density provides different degrees of firmness each providing a different experience for the horse.
Durability: The Official SURE FOOT pads have been designed and tested to hold up under the demands of use with horses in any environment. While they are not impervious to damage (tears and cuts) they will continue to service the horse even is somewhat damaged by the horse’s hooves. Therefore the benefits of the SURE FOOT program can be offered to the average horse owner for (in many cases) the cost of one shoeing. Offering the horse and horse owner a long-term use to aid in improvement of overall health.
Warranted against delamination of the DuraFlex coating and/or pad layers.
Stackable: SURE FOOT pads can be combined to stack layers generally two high but in instance three pads high. Stacking allows the person to give the horse an experience that matches the habit patterns in the body. Horses will not stand on stacked pads unless they wish to, you cannot force this on the horse as they will slip the pads to be lower if so desired. However, stacking allows the horse to experience limb differential and in many cases is beneficial to establishing a more normal, balanced posture and movement.
Pads can be use to benefit the horse pre-exercise, post-exercise, during a training session to improve and enhance performance, recovery from injury while stall bound or in limited movement, reset proprioceptors to reestablish normal patterns of movement, calming for any breed horse in any discipline, improve overall well being of horse and owner, improve relationship between horse and owner as the owner is recognized by the horse as the one who brought the comfort.