How to apply 2" or 3"equicast

When the temperature is over 80 degrees place pouch in a cold bucket of water for 10 minutes before opening the pouch. If you want more wrapping time do not wet cast first sponge on water after wrapping process. After the hoof has been trimmed and balanced put on a pair of Latex gloves to open the equicast pouch. Place the casting tape in a bucket of cold water for about 5 seconds then squeeze out excess water. You only have about 1 minute before the cast starts setting up.

Figure 1: Hold the hoof like if you were going to shoe or trim the hoof. Start on the right hand side of the hoof wall about where the last nail goes. Start unrolling the tape near the hairline on one side and drop down to the ground surface of the heel on the other side of the heel. Wrap the hoof with about two-thirds the casting tape covering the walls and one third covering the bottom of the hoof (white line). The bottom of the hoof should look like a bar wedge is covering the frog. No tape should be on the hairline or soft bulbs. Only cast the horn of the hoof, not the bulbs. You should go around 8 or more times. Cut tape so you end on the bottom of the hoof.

Figure 2: Place on a hard flat surface (or special pad) this will press the cast up into the sole area, adding support to the sole and frog of the hoof. Lift the opposite hoof off the ground for about 30 to 45 seconds. This allows the hoof you just wrapped to expand within the cast.

Figure 3: Once the cast has set (about 5 minutes) shape the cast with a rasp removing any cast that is not needed and leaving cast where support is needed. Fit a shoe to the cast and nail or glue (if shoes are required). Cast can be used with or with out shoes depending on the amount of work and footing conditions.

Removing: Use an old rasp to file around the ground surface of the shoe. Once you see the outer rim of the whole shoe you will be able to pull the center flap up. It will look like a tongue. Cut one side of the tongue flap in the heel area apart. Be careful not to cut the frog or heels. Give the cast a good twist and the cast should come right off. Note: Do not get any casting tape on the hairline or the soft heel area. If you do, trim while the cast is curing.

If  the horse shows any signs of discomfort from the casting process remove the cast and consult a veterinarian.