02/10/2025
Cytek Shoes – Why They’re a Problem
Since being in Tasmania I’ve come across Cytek shoes again and again mind you this is a shoe ive never seen before in person in 16 years of shoeing in melbourne ive only ever heard of the horror stories and the damage theyve caused from long term use
Cytek shoes have been marketed as a “solution” shoe, but in reality they cause more long-term issues than they fix. Their design is fundamentally flawed for the biomechanics of the horse’s foot.
The problems with Cyteks:
• Shoe set inside the hoof capsule – Designed to sit well inside the perimeter of the hoof wall. This restricts expansion, creates constant pressure, and encourages the hoof to grow over the shoe rather than in balance with it.
• Cramped quarters & tight toe – By forcing the shoe short, Cyteks reduce the base of support, leading to mechanical leverage at the toe and quarters. This is a direct cause of wall separation, cracks, and underrun heels.
• False frog pressure – Their wide seat and short fit put artificial pressure on the frog, not the kind of correct load-sharing pressure that promotes function, but bruising compression that interferes with natural circulation.
• Nailing pattern – Nails sit unnaturally close to the toe, increasing stress on the dorsal wall and creating a high risk of splits and separation.
• One-size template – Every foot is forced into the same “ideal” template, ignoring conformation, growth pattern, and pathology. The shoe dictates the trim instead of the trim dictating the shoe.
In the first photo: You can see exactly what happens with Cyteks the shoe is jammed inside the foot, the wall is already starting to grow over it, and there’s nowhere for the hoof to expand. That constant inward pressure is a recipe for wall separation and long-term distortion.
In the second photo: A traditional job done correctly. The shoe fits the foot, not the other way around. Proper coverage, correct nail placement, and a balanced trim. The frog and sole are left functional without being crushed, and the heels are supported so the hoof capsule can expand naturally.
Bottom line: Cyteks might look “helpful” to the untrained eye, but they’re an artificial, restrictive shoeing system that compromises hoof health. Correct farriery is about balance, mechanics, and function not squeezing every horse into the same template.