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Horse Shoes and Pads: Canada’s Top 5 Options for 2025 — Expert-Backed Picks to Protect Performance, Traction and Hoof Health

Published on Thursday, August 21, 2025

Metal and synthetic horse shoes plus protective and therapeutic pads are essential for riders who demand performance, traction and reliable hoof support across Canada’s varied terrain and climate. This category covers front, hind, corrective and therapeutic shoeing options as well as compatible pad materials used for shock absorption, sole support and traction control. Canadian consumers often choose between traditional steel or aluminum shoes, lightweight synthetic options, and removable therapeutic boots or pad materials based on factors such as seasonal footing, competition rules, trail conditions, hoof conformation and veterinary or farrier recommendations. Key appeals include durability on rocky trails, improved grip on wet or icy footing, reduced concussion on hard surfaces, corrective geometry for conformation or injury, and easy-to-replace pads or boots that speed recovery and reduce downtime.

Quick Menu

1. Best Front Shoe for Eventing

2. Best Clipped Steel Shoe

3. Best Therapeutic Boot

4. Best Soft Instant Pad

5. Best Classic Plain Shoe

1
BEST FRONT SHOE FOR EVENTING

St. Croix Eventer Plus Front Shoes

St. Croix Eventer Plus Front Shoes

The St. Croix Eventer Plus Front is a purpose-built front shoe for eventing that balances traction, breakover control and durability, making it a go-to for riders who need reliable performance at a reasonable price. Compared with the premium Kerckhaert steel shoes it offers a more cost-effective, widely available American option, and pairs well with pack materials like Vettec for support or with boots like the Easyboot when a nailed shoe isn’t ideal.

4.4
★★★★☆

  • Featherweight grip

  • Event-grade support

  • Featherweight grip

  • Event-grade support

Review Summary

88%

"Reliable, well-shaped front shoes with excellent durability and consistent fit; farriers praise their finish and hold, with only occasional reshaping needed for unusual hoof shapes."

  • Cross-country kick

  • Lightweight alloy front shoe designed to reduce distal limb weight without sacrificing strength.

  • Cross-country kick

  • Lightweight alloy front shoe designed to reduce distal limb weight without sacrificing strength.

Increased Safety & Security

Recreational Enjoyment

The St. Croix Eventer Plus Front is a purpose-built front shoe for eventing that balances traction, breakover control and durability, making it a go-to for riders who need reliable performance at a reasonable price. Compared with the premium Kerckhaert steel shoes it offers a more cost-effective, widely available American option, and pairs well with pack materials like Vettec for support or with boots like the Easyboot when a nailed shoe isn’t ideal.

  • Featherweight grip

  • Event-grade support

  • Cross-country kick

  • Lightweight alloy front shoe designed to reduce distal limb weight without sacrificing strength.

  • Rolled toe and anatomical shape promote efficient breakover and better movement.

  • Featherweight grip

  • Event-grade support

  • Cross-country kick

  • Lightweight alloy front shoe designed to reduce distal limb weight without sacrificing strength.

  • Rolled toe and anatomical shape promote efficient breakover and better movement.

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$60-120 CAD

2
BEST CLIPPED STEEL SHOE

Kerckhaert SX-8 Clipped Horseshoes

Kerckhaert SX-8 Clipped Horseshoes

Kerckhaert SX-8 Clipped shoes are a market-leading, heat-treated European steel shoe prized for dimensional consistency, long wear and precise fit—features that make them favored for high-performance and competition horses despite a higher price point. Technically superior wear characteristics set them apart from simpler, lower-cost shoes like the Diamond Farrier classic, while their nail-on design complements therapeutic pads such as Vettec when additional sole support is required.

4.6
★★★★☆

  • Forge-hard durability

  • Clip-lock stability

  • Forge-hard durability

  • Clip-lock stability

Review Summary

91%

"High-quality, heat-treated clipped steel shoes that deliver consistent balance and long wear; widely regarded as a market-leading choice for professional farriers."

  • Toe-balance precision

  • Forged, heat-treated steel construction offers long-wearing durability in varied conditions.

  • Toe-balance precision

  • Forged, heat-treated steel construction offers long-wearing durability in varied conditions.

Increased Safety & Security

Skill Development & Mastery

Kerckhaert SX-8 Clipped shoes are a market-leading, heat-treated European steel shoe prized for dimensional consistency, long wear and precise fit—features that make them favored for high-performance and competition horses despite a higher price point. Technically superior wear characteristics set them apart from simpler, lower-cost shoes like the Diamond Farrier classic, while their nail-on design complements therapeutic pads such as Vettec when additional sole support is required.

  • Forge-hard durability

  • Clip-lock stability

  • Toe-balance precision

  • Forged, heat-treated steel construction offers long-wearing durability in varied conditions.

  • Clipped heel design improves traction and lateral stability for performance horses.

  • Forge-hard durability

  • Clip-lock stability

  • Toe-balance precision

  • Forged, heat-treated steel construction offers long-wearing durability in varied conditions.

  • Clipped heel design improves traction and lateral stability for performance horses.

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$40-80 CAD

3
BEST THERAPEUTIC BOOT

EasyCare Easyboot Cloud Therapeutic Boots

EASYCARE

The Easyboot Cloud is a therapeutic, reusable boot that replaces or supplements nailed shoes by delivering durable shock absorption and an adjustable fit, ideal for rehabilitation and barefoot management. Although the upfront cost is higher than a single nailed shoe, its reusability can reduce long-term farrier costs and it offers a non-invasive alternative to adhesive pads like Vettec for short- to medium-term protection and comfort.

4.1
★★★★☆

  • Cloud-like comfort

  • Therapeutic cushion

  • Cloud-like comfort

  • Therapeutic cushion

Review Summary

81%

"Comfortable, protective therapeutic boots that many owners report relieve sore feet and provide good traction, though some users experience fit and durability issues under heavy use."

  • Slip-on freedom

  • Cushioned, shock-absorbing midsole and removable insole provide therapeutic sole protection.

  • Slip-on freedom

  • Cushioned, shock-absorbing midsole and removable insole provide therapeutic sole protection.

Increased Safety & Security

Time-Saving Convenience

The Easyboot Cloud is a therapeutic, reusable boot that replaces or supplements nailed shoes by delivering durable shock absorption and an adjustable fit, ideal for rehabilitation and barefoot management. Although the upfront cost is higher than a single nailed shoe, its reusability can reduce long-term farrier costs and it offers a non-invasive alternative to adhesive pads like Vettec for short- to medium-term protection and comfort.

  • Cloud-like comfort

  • Therapeutic cushion

  • Slip-on freedom

  • Cushioned, shock-absorbing midsole and removable insole provide therapeutic sole protection.

  • Secure closure and contoured fit keep the boot in place during turnout and exercise.

  • Cloud-like comfort

  • Therapeutic cushion

  • Slip-on freedom

  • Cushioned, shock-absorbing midsole and removable insole provide therapeutic sole protection.

  • Secure closure and contoured fit keep the boot in place during turnout and exercise.

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From 161.61$
4
BEST SOFT INSTANT PAD

Vettec Equi-Pak CS Soft Instant Pad Material

aceink

Vettec Equi-Pak CS is a soft, instant-setting pad material designed for fast, customizable sole packing under shoes and pads to provide immediate support and concussion attenuation for laminitis or sore feet. It’s an economical, technical complement to nailed shoes (St. Croix, Kerckhaert, Diamond) and is faster and less expensive than long-term booting solutions, though not as long-lasting as some boot systems for chronic barefoot management.

4.3
★★★★☆

  • Instant foam padding

  • Custom-mold ease

  • Instant foam padding

  • Custom-mold ease

Review Summary

87%

"Popular, easy-to-shape instant pad material that bonds well and offers reliable cushioning; users like the workability, noting occasional stickiness and limited working time for repositioning."

  • Marshmallow softness

  • Pourable, soft pad material sets quickly to form a custom-fitting sole cushion.

  • Marshmallow softness

  • Pourable, soft pad material sets quickly to form a custom-fitting sole cushion.

Time-Saving Convenience

Increased Safety & Security

Vettec Equi-Pak CS is a soft, instant-setting pad material designed for fast, customizable sole packing under shoes and pads to provide immediate support and concussion attenuation for laminitis or sore feet. It’s an economical, technical complement to nailed shoes (St. Croix, Kerckhaert, Diamond) and is faster and less expensive than long-term booting solutions, though not as long-lasting as some boot systems for chronic barefoot management.

  • Instant foam padding

  • Custom-mold ease

  • Marshmallow softness

  • Pourable, soft pad material sets quickly to form a custom-fitting sole cushion.

  • Thermoplastic formulation bonds to packing and provides immediate shock absorption.

  • Instant foam padding

  • Custom-mold ease

  • Marshmallow softness

  • Pourable, soft pad material sets quickly to form a custom-fitting sole cushion.

  • Thermoplastic formulation bonds to packing and provides immediate shock absorption.

Order Now
From 153.49$
5
BEST CLASSIC PLAIN SHOE

Diamond Farrier DC0B Classic Plain Horseshoes

Diamond Farrier DC0B Classic Plain Horseshoes

The Diamond Farrier DC0B Classic Plain is a straightforward, reliable plain shoe that offers broad availability and an economical price point for routine shoeing and general-purpose work. Its simple design makes it quicker for farriers to fit than more specialized shoes, providing a financially sensible baseline choice that still works well with therapeutic pack materials like Vettec or with protective booting when additional concussion or rehab support is required.

4.2
★★★★☆

  • Classic reliability

  • Budget-friendly toughness

  • Classic reliability

  • Budget-friendly toughness

Review Summary

84%

"Good-value classic plain horseshoes with consistent sizing and solid durability for routine farriery; appreciated for affordability, though some prefer premium brands for specialized cases."

  • Old-school swagger

  • Traditional plain steel shoe offering consistent geometry for routine shoeing.

  • Old-school swagger

  • Traditional plain steel shoe offering consistent geometry for routine shoeing.

Increased Safety & Security

Time-Saving Convenience

The Diamond Farrier DC0B Classic Plain is a straightforward, reliable plain shoe that offers broad availability and an economical price point for routine shoeing and general-purpose work. Its simple design makes it quicker for farriers to fit than more specialized shoes, providing a financially sensible baseline choice that still works well with therapeutic pack materials like Vettec or with protective booting when additional concussion or rehab support is required.

  • Classic reliability

  • Budget-friendly toughness

  • Old-school swagger

  • Traditional plain steel shoe offering consistent geometry for routine shoeing.

  • Cost-effective option that is simple to shape, fit, and re-use.

  • Classic reliability

  • Budget-friendly toughness

  • Old-school swagger

  • Traditional plain steel shoe offering consistent geometry for routine shoeing.

  • Cost-effective option that is simple to shape, fit, and re-use.

Order Now

$30-60 CAD

What the Research and Farriers Say About Shoes, Boots and Pads

Veterinary and biomechanical research, together with farrier experience, supports the use of purpose-designed shoes and pad materials to manage concussion, redistribute pressure in compromised hooves, and improve traction when appropriately matched to the horse and conditions. Clinical studies and controlled tests commonly show measurable benefits when therapeutic pads or boots are used as part of a rehabilitation or performance program, and farrier-led fitting remains critical to achieve intended outcomes.

Shock reduction and pressure distribution: Studies in equine biomechanics indicate that appropriately selected pad materials and cushioning boots reduce peak vertical forces and spread load across the sole, which can lower pain signals in horses with sole bruising or early laminitis.

Traction and slip prevention: Laboratory and field tests show that shoe design and added traction elements can meaningfully improve grip on slippery surfaces; however, traction must be balanced against the risk of over-penetration on frozen ground.

Corrective shoeing outcomes: Peer-reviewed veterinary reports and case series document improved limb alignment and reduced lameness when corrective shoes are combined with trimming protocols tailored by a qualified farrier.

Therapeutic boots and wound management: Clinical veterinary guidance supports removable therapeutic boots, like modern cloud-style boots, for temporary sole protection and to allow regular inspection and dressing changes during recovery.

Practical takeaway for beginners: Scientific findings consistently underline the importance of matching product choice to individual hoof anatomy, workload and environment, and of involving a veterinarian or certified farrier when managing lameness or corrective shoeing.

Across Canada, whether you are riding on coastal trails, navigating rocky Alberta backcountry, or preparing for competition in Ontario, the right combination of shoe and pad matters. The list above includes the St. Croix Eventer Plus Front Shoes for performance front-end support, the Kerckhaert SX-8 Clipped Horseshoes for a trusted forged option, the EasyCare Easyboot Cloud Therapeutic Boots for versatile therapeutic and everyday use, Vettec Equi-Pak CS Soft Instant Pad Material for customizable sole support, and the Diamond Farrier DC0B Classic Plain Horseshoes for a reliable, no-frills base shoe. For most riders looking for a single, flexible solution that balances protection and comfort, the EasyCare Easyboot Cloud Therapeutic Boots represent the best choice on this page because of their adaptability across rehab and turnout scenarios. I hope you found what you were looking for — use the site search to refine by discipline, hoof size, material or therapeutic need, or expand your search to compare farrier services and fitting guides.

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