Very nice work Dave. The reason why there was holes in the hooves and possibly why the gear was glued on was because stores would use them as displays so the horses would stay standing with all it's tack staying on as well. I've seen Johnny and friends being sold with holes in there feet that had been used for the same reason.
What did you use for filler on the wholes. I have a JW horse with a broken leg. The break is right below the rivet right below the knee. I was thinking about removing the rivet and trying some epoxy I picked up thats supposed to work on JW figures.

Dobie