How to Make a New Hoof

When a model's hoof breaks off and becomes lost it causes a big problem. For one, the model won't stand up, and because of that it will get scratches. Another thing, the model cannot be played with or shown, and this can be aggravating.

Materials
Rubber Gloves!
Super Glue (the dollar store stuff will work)
Baking Soda
Nail File
Aluminum Foil

First, either prop the model up with clay for the missing hoof or lie it on a soft towel in a safe place where it won't get scratched. Now you can begin making a new hoof.

Step One
Set up your work area

Lay out a square of aluminum foil out on a smooth countertop or other table. Make two small mounds of baking soda. You will find that this gives you an advantage in covering the new hoof once the glue is in it.

Step Two
Make the Hoof

Find a horse that has a similar hoof to the one you are trying to replace. Use it to make a negative imprint in one of the small hills of baking soda. Now you are ready to begin the hoof.

Wear your gloves for this part. Drop enough super glue into the divot in the baking soda to make a hoof. Immediately sprinkle baking soda from the other mound on top of the dropped glue. This will cause it to harden within seconds. Wait about a minute for this to set, then remove the piece from the mound of baking soda.

Step Three
Attach the New Hoof to the Leg

When you remove the hoof from the baking soda it will be misshapen. Do not worry about this, as you will grind it down later. Be sure to keep your gloves on.

Glue the hoof onto the bottom of the leg by putting glue on both pieces and putting them together. Sprinkle baking soda all around this and let it sit for about a minute.

Step Four
Sculpt the Hoof

You can now take off your gloves. Use your nail file or sandpaper to make the hoof look like the old one. Make sure the surface is smooth when you are finished. If the horse has frogs, try to make some on the new hoof. If you do not intend to show the horse you can just leave it without a frog. Once the hoof is filed down you can file away any excess material from when you attached it to the leg. Make sure the bottom of the hoof is flat!!!

Step Five
Paint the Hoof

You will need to paint the new hoof once it is on the model. If you are not an artist this may seem very difficult. Here are some tips when painting the new hoof:
> Hooves on white, socked or otherwise light colored legs are shell colored
>Hooves on dark colored legs are dark brown or black
>Appaloosas have striped hooves
>Frogs should just be the same color as the hoof
>Globbing paint is not good, it is better to do multiple thin layers of paint than one thick one