Cytek - yes or no?

[MitchiestInge]

Am giving them a whirl but I know opinion is very sharply divided, so wondered if anyone here had any experience of these shoes? Or maybe Natural Balance, which I suppose is similar and maybe my next option.

At least nobody has said they are cruel or dangerous (really wish I had googled before having them fitted) yet.

I must admit I've never heard of Cytek (as the owner of a barefoot horse) but dpony has natural balance and my sister is convinced they've made a difference. Judging by the way he careers down the field I'm inclined to agree! Although they do seem a bit odd to me because when you pick the feet out there doesn't seem to be a lot of sole showing.

It looks interesting, but I was put off by the bit where it says they are packed with sand or soil. I prefer to think that horses ought to be barefoot. If I had a horse that needed something on it's feet, I'd probably try old Mac boots. I really don't like the idea of nails in the shoe. And as for the whole front break over thing, surely, if a horse needed that, it would wear away naturally when barefoot?

Not heard of Cytek, but I have used Natural Balance for my old tb who was hopeless at keeping his shoes on - when I first got him they had to be redone every 4-6 weeks, and after my fab farrier had spent over a year sorting his feet we got him to 7-8 weeks depending on wear. He used them because of the double toe clips at the front more than anything else, and I'd certainly consider them again if I had another horse who flung his shoes off left right and centre. I've no idea about using them for any other reasons though.

So far so good, quite whizzy today despite new bit and they are really nice and grippy on the road. Did some jumps on hack and he got v excited so went in the school to do more jumping in there (first time since we moved!) and it was all very good.

Still not sure if will keep them or go back to traditional shoes or try something else. Unfortunately he does need something at the front because of pawing the ground etc., he would just be in a puddle of blood.