Firm Slants – Firm Angle Change
- Benefit: Long-term use to aid in improvement of overall horse health and well-being.
- Color Coded: Coated with Yellow DuraFlex, a highly durable, anti-microbial coating.
- Shape: Rectangular shape cut on an angle along the length.
- Size: 12”x10”x3” (25cmx30cmx7.6cm) so that there is sufficient area for the horse’s hoof divided into two angled pads.
- Pad weight: Each pad weighs less than 6 oz. (170 grams).
- Weight load limit: Can be used with horses of any size, weight or breed.
Genuine SURE FOOT Equine FIRM SLANT Pads are Yellow DuraFlex coating top stamped with the official SURE FOOT logo and charcoal on the other. They are made of the same material as the FIRM Pad cut on an angle. They are packaged in pairs along with a Warranty Registration Card and QR code.
FIRM SLANTS will give more under the horse’s weight than HARD SLANTS. This is beneficial to many horses because they can yield laterally – similar to the FIRM pads – depending upon where the hoof is along the slant thickness.
FIRM SLANTS may be used on either side; however, the pad is more stable when used colored side up. FIRM SLANTS may be used in any direction, heel high, heel low, or laterally (supination or pronation). Horses may stand anywhere along the angle of the pad from the thin leading edge to the full height (up to 3”) at the back.
Horses that are particularly unsure or nervous benefit from using FIRM SLANTS because the horse can stand on the leading edge, which is very thin. They may be used under front and hind hooves. Horses appear to prefer the FIRM SLANTS heel high. FIRM SLANTS may be comforting for horses with laminitis and arthritis, for those rehabilitating from stringhalt, shoulder or pelvic injury, or those that have stifle or hoof concerns.
- 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: Firm, 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.
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.
Uses the same foam as the firm pads and is cut into a wedge shape providing an angled surface that fully supports the hoof while allowing for the experience of toe or heel loading.
Horses with excessive toe or heel loading can use these pads to experience the differences between a flat and angled surface and correct their habitual posture.
The Slant pads have two workable surfaces—a diffusion surface 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.