Barefoot horse boots for box rest horse?

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JessicaRabbitt

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Hi all

I'm looking at some barefoot boots to put on my mare after she has surgery for canker this week, all four feet sadly - and am just trying to work out what is the best boot for keeping her feet as sterile as possible, but for her to be able to move easily ,and perhaps be taken out to graze in hand.I've looked at the easyboot RX , and the hoofeeze hoof boot - the first one seems like it would allow her to be some light work or at least go out to grass as she is healing,but I'm wondering if the hoofeeze one would be better for keeping the feet clean?Any experiences and help much appreciated !!
 
When our pony had canker, we did have hoof boots available, but due to the stuff we had to put on her hoof every day, we were given dressings to use instead. She had one of those pad things with the porus plastic on each side straight onto the frog on top of the copper suphate paste, then fluffy cotton-wool type stuff that unrolled in a ball and was wrapped around her hoof - over the bottom, over her heels and up a bit, then vet wrap on that, and that wide silver tape stuff you can buy from B&Q on the base to stop her hoof going through the dressing onto the floor. It worked really well, she was never lame, and there was nothing to rub on any sensitive healing bits, as there was nothing hard. The insurance covered all the wrappings which was quite handy! She was on box rest for a long time - many, many weeks.
 
mystiandsunny said:
When our pony had canker, we did have hoof boots available, but due to the stuff we had to put on her hoof every day, we were given dressings to use instead. She had one of those pad things with the porus plastic on each side straight onto the frog on top of the copper suphate paste, then fluffy cotton-wool type stuff that unrolled in a ball and was wrapped around her hoof - over the bottom, over her heels and up a bit, then vet wrap on that, and that wide silver tape stuff you can buy from B&Q on the base to stop her hoof going through the dressing onto the floor. It worked really well, she was never lame, and there was nothing to rub on any sensitive healing bits, as there was nothing hard. The insurance covered all the wrappings which was quite handy! She was on box rest for a long time - many, many weeks.
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That's interesting about the wraps - my mare is HUGE with giant feet , so I'd be a bit worried about her wearing through duct tap - but if we can;t get the boots to fit with the bandages on then that might be the only way to go ....thanks so much for the detailed info !!The insurance company will be getting a LOT of bills I fear.....
The vet thought we might be abl to turn her out in boots in 6 weeks, but it all depends how well she heals , poor girl....
 
amymay said:
Contact either Oberon or Cptrayes, they'll be able to offer you some good advice.
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Second this.

Tbh, I would have thought you will have dressings initially and with them on boots may well not fit.

I wish him the best, doing all four at once seems a bit drastic to me but I'm sure they know what they're doing and he'll have pain relief. x Good luck.

Duck tape is pretty resilient with enough layers on. You can make a duck tape pad off the hoof to go on the bottom and tape that on for extra wearability.
 
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amandap said:
Second this.

Tbh, I would have thought you will have dressings initially and with them on boots may well not fit.

I wish him the best, doing all four at once seems a bit drastic to me but I'm sure they know what they're doing and he'll have pain relief. x Good luck.

Duck tape is pretty resilient with enough layers on. You can make a duck tape pad off the hoof to go on the bottom and tape that on for extra wearability.
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Hmm, I was advised to get larger boots than usual , just so we have some space in them (thankfully insurance will pay), but we'll have a better idea once they are done.I was a bit surprised as well about all four at once, but apparently as we have caught it quite early the surgery may not be tooooo drastic....
I like the idea of the duct tape pad though, I could put some animalintex in it to pad it out a bit.Thanks for the good wishes, I think we will need them !
 
JessicaRabbitt said:
Hmm, I was advised to get larger boots than usual , just so we have some space in them (thankfully insurance will pay), but we'll have a better idea once they are done.I was a bit surprised as well about all four at once, but apparently as we have caught it quite early the surgery may not be tooooo drastic....
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I was thinking if he has huge feet, dressings and then finding a boot big enough... :) Fair enough about catching it early. x I know zip about boots so hopefully someone who does can help you.
 
disposable nappies with the medicated wrappings on the foot then the wide duct tape around that, cheaper than vet wrap and does stay on and is sterile
 
boots are a VERY expensive way to keep feet clean (you'd be looking at around £300 for 4 boots!!) I personally would go for duct tape or as someone else mentioned silage tape.
 
RolyPolyPony said:
boots are a VERY expensive way to keep feet clean (you'd be looking at around £300 for 4 boots!!) I personally would go for duct tape or as someone else mentioned silage tape.
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Thankfully vet has recommended them so they are covered by insurance - my horse is huge, with dinner plate feet, and just wears straight through duct tape (she had an abcess a few years ago and we had a real battle to keep it clean ) .Boots are working well, but tend to "twist" on the back feet which is a bit annoying...packing them out with cotton wool seems to help though.She is on Danilon now as she was stamping her feet , I think they were a bit sore, poor thing...
 
Sounds like they might be a bit big. Hopefully you will get a knack with the cotton wool. Could you cut some padding from a foam mat to fit inside to reduce the size slightly? Getting one the right thinness might not be easy though.
 
amandap said:
Sounds like they might be a bit big. Hopefully you will get a knack with the cotton wool. Could you cut some padding from a foam mat to fit inside to reduce the size slightly? Getting one the right thinness might not be easy though.
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It;s odd ,they fit the front feet well, but twist on the backs.I did try some smaller ones on the back but they just weren't long enough and I couldn't get the whole hoof in with it's bandages on...tried the cotton wool last night and it's ok, but compresses a lot, so might try some bits of old towel.I believe you can get special pads for the inside of the boots as well so will have a look into those.....
 
Which boot's did you end up getting?? Im looking out for one as Beau's recoverly from a keratoma op and now allowed out for walking out in hand just need to keep dressing dry. I've tried a few so far not lasting more then a week as he wearing a shoe so it just get's wore out so quickly. Also Beau feet are big too which isnt helping.
 
Bojangles said:
Which boot's did you end up getting?? Im looking out for one as Beau's recoverly from a keratoma op and now allowed out for walking out in hand just need to keep dressing dry. I've tried a few so far not lasting more then a week as he wearing a shoe so it just get's wore out so quickly. Also Beau feet are big too which isnt helping.
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I got the Easyboot RX ones, they come in big sizes and are fine for box rest/walking in hand/hand grazing, though I wouldn't like to try them on pure turnout as I think madam would run about and I don't want her to fall over ...

It might be worth contacting a company that sell lots of boots and get some advice from them, or your local barefoot trimmer may be able to help
 
JessicaRabbitt said:
I got the Easyboot RX ones, they come in big sizes and are fine for box rest/walking in hand/hand grazing, though I wouldn't like to try them on pure turnout as I think madam would run about and I don't want her to fall over ...

It might be worth contacting a company that sell lots of boots and get some advice from them, or your local barefoot trimmer may be able to help
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Thank's. Will look it up.
 
JessicaRabbitt said:
so might try some bits of old towel.I believe you can get special pads for the inside of the boots as well so will have a look into those.....
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http://www.equinepodiatrysupplies.co.uk/Pads/ I haven't used any myself except the EPS pads which aren't suitable for boots. You might be able to cut the boot pad squares and try them. They are cheaper than the sole mate pads. I think they do compress but they're not too pricey.
 
amandap said:
http://www.equinepodiatrysupplies.co.uk/Pads/ I haven't used any myself except the EPS pads which aren't suitable for boots. You might be able to cut the boot pad squares and try them. They are cheaper than the sole mate pads. I think they do compress but they're not too pricey.
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Ah, that's a good tip, thanks : ) The horse is costing a fortune at the moment ,so of course I will do whatever needs doing, but it's good to save a few quid where possible !!
 
What width and length are you horses feet? I used boa boots over animalintex and nappies with a REALLY bad abscess for turnout (and stable) quite successfully. They come in pretty big sizes. And the really big sizes go pretty cheap on ebay, especially when people are only selling single ones! Just start now and buy them as the come up!
 
Hello, boot user here.

When I need to take up extra room in a boot I put ski socks on the ponio :) (Cheap as poss and make sure they stretch) pads out nicely and stops any rubbing from twists. The pads you get for the inside of hoof boots are made of tough sort of rubbery foam. I have yet to find anything tough enough to use as a substitute.

I have found easyboot grips easiest with any kind of poulticey type thing as they are easier to get on over all the bumf and the gaiters keep it all in place. I lend mine out to other owners if needed :)

Hope this was vaguely helpful xx
 
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