Anyone any experience of hoof boots?

[Marnie]

Mups is going to Newmarket on the 12th for bone scan and possible MRI to see if we can find out what is going on in her foot. She hasn't got any front shoes on as she was x rayed last week and the vet told me not to put any on, but not to let her pound around on hard ground in case she bruises her feet and it causes misleading results in the bone scan.

Trouble is, she seems a bit footsore and I wondered about getting her some hoof boots. Has anyone used them, and can you recommend any? The other alternative is to keep her in - she is out at night at the moment. Trouble is she will just stand and buck in her stable.

Any bright ideas?

Thanks!

 

[Ali2]

There have been quite a few posts on hoof boots fairly recently so a search should bring up a variety of opinions/experiences. We use Old Macs and find them fine. I'd prefer gloves but my horses feet are too big! I've heard good things about Cavallo Simple boots too.

 

[samerlin]

I used to use Marquis Boots on my horse until he died. He loved them and I found them easy to use. I still have them and was thinking about putting them on ebay

 

[Kallibear]

What ever style suits her foot shape!

There's a various different makes and brands and they all suit different foot shapes, from wide feet to narrow feet.

I've found the cavallo boots by far the easiest to get on but the old macs aren't far behind. The boa's are a pain in the ass for very wide feet. However they all fit above the hair line so rubbing can can be a problem, either of the heel bulbs or the cornanary band. They all stay one really well though, as they cover the whole hoof.

The easyboot types are fairly easy to put on and, becasue they touch only hoof wall, they never rub. However they are prone to coming off unless your horses feet are a perfect fit (slightly longer than they are wide).

My friend has the marquis boots and they were horrible. So big and clumpy and heavy, with the heels sticking right out the back to accomidte the air bag.

I think, if she's going out and is on fairly restricted area so she can't gallop about, I'd go for Easyboots Bares. They have a smooth front catch so unlikely to be caught on something and they have gaiters so should stay ok. However if her feet are wide and short I'd go for old macs or cavallos and get a pair of Boa gaiters (neoprene socks that protect the back of the heels and cornar bands)) to go inside.