Barefoot help needed

K

katypudding

Member
Joined
25 January 2010
Messages
29
Visit site
As a barefoot newbie (possibly, considering it ;-) could anyone tell me what the situation is regarding barefoot boots and various activities?

Some seem to say various boots are fine for use when doing low level showjumping, xc, hacking etc, others say absolutely not.
I personally am very worried about the safety aspect - stability/ slipping where wearing a boot for faster activities is concerned (on grass especially). But would be interested to know what the 'rules' are for barefoot boots?

Any help/advice appreciated!! Thanks for reading :-)
 
Some of the experts will be along tomorrow no doubt, but I think the general consensus is that bare hooves are just as good, if not better than a hoof with a shoe and studs on for most circumstances. I think there are rules which may outlaw the use of hoof boots under certain competition rules. The barefoot expert I know doesn't rate them; says they are a pain in the bum to get the right fit, and to keep on.
 
Depends on what you want them for; Mine certainly aren't a pain up the bum to either fit nor do they come off even at a very fast canter.

I have never found a problem with grip even on wet grass ( I have the G2's ) I hack out mostly so don't know about competing with them on.

I have the benefits of him being barefoot for 22 hours a day too!
 
I've never needed to use boots in the 7 years we have been barefoot.

Most barefoot horses with the right transitioning, diet and regime don't need them either.

Of the horses turned barefoot on my yard - none of them have needed boots.

However - they can be a useful tool for a horse while transitioning or when you have a metabolically challenged or mineral deprived horse who gimps.

It depends on the size and shape of your horse's feet as too what brand fit the best.

I believe the Easiboot range are the most popular with endurance riders.

I know a rubber, camping mallet is handy for tapping them on but I would recommend posting on the UKNHCP forum as there are a few people on there who have lots of tricks to keep them on - some kind of special tape comes to mind, but that's a far as my knowledge goes.
 
I think the only sport that has actual rules about wearing boots is dressage, because of the general rule about boots in the arena. I think they let you use them for a certain period of time, a month or so, for the transiton phase, but then you have to stop using them. If a horse isn't able to work on a dressage surface without boots though, I'm not sure why anyone would be trying to compete it unless the competition was being held on rock-hard ground.
For other sports I think its just up to the rider - I've done showjumping and jump cross in Old Macs.
 
Cluck said:
http://www.renegadehoofboots.com/

These boots are great. Not sure if they are available in England, although if you have a good barefoot trimmer they might have a contact with the company.

I know people who jump in the Renegades with no problems.
Click to expand...

I bought mine direct from them no problem, but their grip is rubbish on short grass or slippery mud (deep mud is fine). I much prefer easy boot gloves now.
 
Clava said:
I bought mine direct from them no problem, but their grip is rubbish on short grass or slippery mud (deep mud is fine). I much prefer easy boot gloves now.
Click to expand...

I haven't had a problem on short grass even with morning dew on it, but I never did ride in much mud with the Renegades.

I would definitely try the Easy Boot gloves if I could cope with putting them on and taking them off. The Renegades are super easy for that.
 
Boots are illegal for BD and BE. I don't know about BS, anyone else?

You can get dispensation from BD for 6 months if you write to them to tell them that your horse is in transition to barefoot.
 
cptrayes said:
Boots are illegal for BD and BE. I don't know about BS, anyone else?

You can get dispensation from BD for 6 months if you write to them to tell them that your horse is in transition to barefoot.
Click to expand...

Ahh this is interesting to know!
I am currently trying out the easyboot gloves as they are fairly low profile and you can add studs to them if you require it! its early days though so i may come across problems yet!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top