What is a Klebebeschlag (glue-on shoe)?

You may already have come across the term Klebebeschlag or glue-on iron and asked yourself how this system actually works, how durable it is and which horses it makes sense for.

In this article you will learn:

• what a Klebebeschlag is in technical terms – and why „Beschlag“ describes the function on the hoof, not the type of attachment

• why hoof protection is more than wear protection – and what role hoof mechanism, force distribution and load play in this

• how a Klebebeschlag works in practice – from hoof trimming to fitting to gluing

• how long a Klebebeschlag lasts – and which factors influence hold and function under load

• which benefits can be assessed objectively – particularly with regard to depth of intervention, adaptability and reversibility

• for which horses and use cases a Klebebeschlag can make sense – and where its technical limits lie

• how Klebebeschlag, iron shoe and barefoot differ functionally – without ideological judgement

The aim is an objective, comprehensible assessment – not an ideological judgement.

In order to assess a Klebebeschlag sensibly, it must first be clarified how the hoof is fundamentally understood.

The hoof is not a passive contact surface, but a functional organ in the horse’s locomotor system. At the same time, it performs:

• load uptake and load distribution
• shock absorption
• stabilisation and balance
• transfer of forces into tendons, joints and muscles

What is decisive:
Movement at the hoof takes place under load . The hoof deforms when landing and returns to shape when lifting off. This dynamic behaviour is called the hoof mechanism.

Every form of hoof protection intervenes in this system. The question is not whether it intervenes – but how strongly and in what way.

A Klebebeschlag is therefore not just wear protection. It is a tool in load management and must be measured by how it:

• preserves or restricts the hoof mechanism
• distributes forces
• behaves under real use

In principle, Klebebeschläge can be divided into two main categories: prefabricated shell or complete systems and individually fitted, modular systems.

Prefabricated systems usually consist of a rigid shell that is attached to the hoof with a two-component adhesive. They are available in defined sizes and are applied with as little adaptation as possible.

Individual Klebebeschläge, by contrast, are based on a separately fitted base plate to which glue tabs or glue collars are welded and then bonded to the hoof wall. These systems are more variable in shape, stiffness and design and allow more precise adaptation to anatomy, use and load.

Beyond that, glue-on irons differ in material properties (e.g. flexibility, wear behaviour, sliding behaviour), depth of intervention, expandability and orthopaedic modification options. Which system makes sense depends not on the term „Klebebeschlag“ alone, but on the respective use context, the hoof situation and the desired functional goal.

Depending on manufacturer and system, glue-on irons are available in different sizes – from small pony hooves to large-framed coldbloods. In addition, there are variants designed specifically for sporting demands which, for example, allow the integration of studs . This means competition horses can also be equipped with additional grip under slippery conditions, provided the relevant rules permit it. What remains decisive, however, is always the professional selection of the system in relation to discipline, surface and load profile.

With the Klebebeschlag, an individually fitted base plate with tabs is attached to the hoof wall. Attachment is done using a special adhesive.

The key difference compared to the nailed horseshoe:

• Nails fully penetrate the hoof wall.
• Glue systems bond superficially with the outer wall layer.

Mechanically, this means:

• no localised nail tension
• no penetration of the horn structure
• lower structural depth of intervention

This does not mean that one system is fundamentally „better“ – but rather that the intervention at the hoof is technically different from traditional shoeing with nailed horseshoes.

An individually made Klebebeschlag is produced by a farrier in several steps:

The question „How long does a Klebebeschlag last?“ can only be answered sensibly if it is clarified what „lasting“ means.

Durability includes :

• mechanical seat

• preservation of function under load

• behaviour over time

Durability is less a property of the material alone than the result of fitting, preparation and use. With professional application, the gluing intervals usually correspond to the customary shoeing intervals of classic systems. If, on the other hand, a Klebebeschlag is applied improperly, it can come off under load after just a few days – not because of the principle, but because of faulty execution.

In most cases, durability corresponds at least to the classic iron shoeing. The recommended trimming interval is 6–8 weeks. The Goodsmith glue-on irons can normally be reused for 2–3 shoeing intervals. In extreme cases, they can also be used for up to 4 shoeing intervals or half a year.

Actual durability depends on:

• surface

• training intensity

• hoof growth

• fit

• professional application

• material properties

What significantly influences durability?
The more precisely the glue-on iron is fitted to the hoof, the more evenly forces are distributed.
Clean and correctly prepared bonding surfaces are a prerequisite for stable hold.
A correctly set breakover point reduces leverage forces and minimises the risk of the horse stepping off the shoe.

What happens if a Klebebeschlag comes off?

As with any shoeing, it can happen that a horse steps on its own glue-on iron.

Modern systems often have predetermined breaking points in the tabs. In the event of strong leverage, these tear in a controlled way to avoid damage to the hoof wall.

The costs for a Klebebeschlag depend on several factors:

• region and business

• individual fitting

• choice of material (base plate, tabs)

• possible modifications (e.g. wedges, pads, spikes)

In practice, an individually fitted Klebebeschlag is usually moderately above the price of a classic iron shoeing. The difference arises above all from the higher fitting and labour effort – not from the material alone. Working time is therefore a significant cost factor with glue-on irons.

Is a Klebebeschlag „expensive“?

Whether hoof protection is expensive depends on the benchmark. What is decisive:

• What load is to be managed?

• How relevant is the measure for the long-term use of the horse?

• What functional added value does the system offer in the respective context?

Nail-free, adaptable hoof protection is generally somewhat higher-priced because it is individually made, reversibly attached and designed for movement under load.

Economic efficiency is therefore shown not only in the individual price, but in the overall course over several shoeing intervals – particularly when material components can be reused.

Conclusion:
A Klebebeschlag is usually somewhat more cost-intensive than a classic shoeing, but the price difference is technically justified by fitting and system design. Whether it makes sense depends on the respective horse and use context.

The question is not: „Which system is better?“

But: „Which system best meets the defined criteria under the given conditions for the respective horse?“

Barefoot can be the biological reference model under suitable conditions.
Iron shoes offer robust protection, but intervene rigidly in the hoof mechanics.
Klebebeschläge represent a nail-free, potentially more movement-friendly option. The glue system holds at all temperatures – meaning the glue systems can be used in summer in the heat as well as in winter in the cold. Different surfaces are not a problem, making them a solution for various situations and thus for many horse owners.

Which system makes sense depends on:

• Function

• Load

• Objective

• Adaptability

A blanket assessment is not technically tenable.

Different disciplines

Klebebeschläge are used today in:

• Leisure and trail riding

• Dressage

• Showjumping

• Western sports

• Endurance riding

• Eventing

• Gaited horse sports

For sporting use scenarios, systems are available that can accommodate additional traction elements such as studs. As a result, Klebebeschläge are not limited to leisure use, but can – with correct design – also be used in competition.

In many competition regulations, Klebebeschläge are permitted – Goodsmith glue-on irons are LPO compliant.

. The rules should always be checked individually, however.

There are situations in which a Klebebeschlag is only of limited or no use:

• When the hoof must be fully immobilised (e.g. with certain fractures)
• With a severely damaged or strongly fungus-infested hoof wall
• When there is too little load-bearing bonding surface available

In such cases, an individual decision must be made as to which system is technically appropriate.

Its benefits lie in particular in:

• lower structural depth of intervention
• adaptability
• reversibility
• potentially more movement-friendly design

Its suitability is – as with any hoof protection – context-dependent and must be assessed individually.

The question is not: „Which system is better?“
But: „Which system best meets the defined criteria under the given conditions?“