Barefoot/hoofboot advice

[Ebbw]

I'm blessed that my little cob has tough feet (inherited from his dam). He's 6yrs and never required shoes with his typical workload. He hacks out even on rough terrain and is never footy. Farrier trims him and I'm happy with the result.

Only one little problem I have. I live in Wales and it's often very wet. When we hack out the ground can be a bit greasy on top ( I don't mean really muddy, just a few millimetres of soft stuff you get after a downpour). I notice that it doesn't affect my friends shod (but unstudded) horses. However my lad sometimes slips a bit and especially on his hinds if he's pushing (e.g. on a transition, especially walk or trot to canter).
I don't want us to come a cropper and I really don't want him to strain/sprain anythingunder these conditions.

I was wondering what hoofboots are like under these conditions. Can they offer a little more traction to bring his grippiness on a par with a horse shod in a normal, fullered shoe?

 

[Nocturnal]

I don't have experience of this situation, so don't quote me, but from a physics perspective it sounds like the shod horses have more grip because they have a smaller surface area in contact with the ground (so they can easily push through the surface 'grease'), whereas you're almost aquaplaning. I'd guess that you'd have the same issue in hoofboots, tbh. If you already have some there's no harm trying, but it's an expensive experiment to buy them if you're not sure they'll work.

I guess it depends how often it happens, and how much it bothers you.

 

[jaye1780]

Hoof boots offer more traction because of the design on the tread.They are like shoes to us and you can also fit studs to some of them or buy ones with an aggressive tread for really bad conditions! Have a look on www.easycareinc.com at the easyboot range I use easyboot gloves for all terrain including endurance and never have any problems, my horse is more foot sure than when he was shod. I cant speak for everyones experiences but thats my own and we have covered plenty of miles in all weather in them