barefoot. New hoof boots

[Tarragon]

Forget the boots! What a lovely pair of Exmoors (?) !

Yes, Exmoor ponies

 

[PapaverFollis]

I currently have Scoots on 8 feet and 6 out of 8 get on really well with them including 2 with some flair that might have technically made them unsuitable. 2 have rubbed previously but are better now the hooves are growing in a better shape.

However... I REALLY like the design of the Flex boots. Hadn't seen them before this thread. I will consider them when the Scoots wear out or if the Scoots start rubbing again with more work.

 

[fluffycobs4life]

Some good advice to take away here,looking in to boots at the moment so great to read this thread

 

[holydaysandholidays]

I'm really interested in this as I'm thinking of transitioning my horse to barefoot. Has anyone used hoofboots to transition?

 

[paddy555]

Has anyone used hoofboots to transition?

probably nearly everyone

 

[Brownmare]

I'm really interested in this as I'm thinking of transitioning my horse to barefoot. Has anyone used hoofboots to transition?

Some horses get away without needing boots to transition but all 4 I have transitioned have needed them. Go for something like Cavallos which are pretty forgiving on fit as hooves are likely to change shape a fair bit in the first few months.

 

[Cragrat]

Sorry to jump on your thread OP, but it does seem to be developing into a useful resource!

So has anyone got any advice for boots for a twisting hind? Evo boots have been suggested, but I'm not too sure...

I have tried scoots - fantastic on his fronts, hopeless behind. So went for Scoot Slims - with and without the gaiters. Brilliant on one hind, still no good on his twisty hind. (He's an ex-racer, and we think at some point probably as a 2 y/o , now 9- he has damaged / broken a bone in his hind quarters. He has regular osteo/physio work)

 

[Brownmare]

Sorry to jump on your thread OP, but it does seem to be developing into a useful resource!

So has anyone got any advice for boots for a twisting hind? Evo boots have been suggested, but I'm not too sure...

I have tried scoots - fantastic on his fronts, hopeless behind. So went for Scoot Slims - with and without the gaiters. Brilliant on one hind, still no good on his twisty hind. (He's an ex-racer, and we think at some point probably as a 2 y/o , now 9- he has damaged / broken a bone in his hind quarters. He has regular osteo/physio work)

I feel your pain! I too have one with a twisty hind and the best so far have been Flex boots but they did still twist in the end. She is right at the lower end of the 120 size and I suspect if I could squeeze her into the next size down they would stay put but sadly I have to wait for them to bring out more sizes.
I have heard good things about Explora Magic boots for twisty feet and I'm quite tempted to try them myself if my girl needs hind boots come Spring grass time https://www.equinepodiatrysupplies.co.uk/product/explora-magic-boot-single/

 

[paddy555]

Sorry to jump on your thread OP, but it does seem to be developing into a useful resource!

So has anyone got any advice for boots for a twisting hind? Evo boots have been suggested, but I'm not too sure...

I have tried scoots - fantastic on his fronts, hopeless behind. So went for Scoot Slims - with and without the gaiters. Brilliant on one hind, still no good on his twisty hind. (He's an ex-racer, and we think at some point probably as a 2 y/o , now 9- he has damaged / broken a bone in his hind quarters. He has regular osteo/physio work)

neither scoots, gloves nor renegades work. I've tried tight renegade classics and loose ones, no difference. The only boot I had found that works (and that is based on about 4 years daily use) are epics with up buckles. The down buckles they come with don't make them work but with up buckles you can adjust each side to get a better fit.
PITA having to buy the up buckles and having to change them but, for mine, they have worked.

The twisting (and need for boots due to the wear it causes) on mine is down to his movement and PSSM. So no way of changing it. Like yours one hind is perfect.

 

[Cragrat]

I feel your pain! I too have one with a twisty hind and the best so far have been Flex boots but they did still twist in the end. She is right at the lower end of the 120 size and I suspect if I could squeeze her into the next size down they would stay put but sadly I have to wait for them to bring out more sizes.
I have heard good things about Explora Magic boots for twisty feet and I'm quite tempted to try them myself if my girl needs hind boots come Spring grass time https://www.equinepodiatrysupplies.co.uk/product/explora-magic-boot-single/

Thank you - definitely one to look at !

neither scoots, gloves nor renegades work. I've tried tight renegade classics and loose ones, no difference. The only boot I had found that works (and that is based on about 4 years daily use) are epics with up buckles. The down buckles they come with don't make them work but with up buckles you can adjust each side to get a better fit.
PITA having to buy the up buckles and having to change them but, for mine, they have worked.

The twisting (and need for boots due to the wear it causes) on mine is down to his movement and PSSM. So no way of changing it. Like yours one hind is perfect.

That's very interesting thank you - Renegades had been on my maybelist, but now cossed off! Epics scare me with those huge metal clips in front. Do they ever catch on the front hooves? How do they cope in rough ground like heather? I'd never heard of an up-buckle, so did a quick google - hoofboutique say they are now discontinued I'll investigate more

 

[FFAQ]

What a useful thread! I can only use cavallo for my shire because nothing else fits. I used to use boas on her twisty back feet and they were brilliant, but the fastening system broke and I haven't come across size 8 boas in the last 2 years ?. Cavallo on her back feet are rubbish. I have tried all the padding and wedging variations i can think of and the damn things still end up sideways after a mile in walk.
Having said that, I have never had any trouble with the cavallo velcro and I have used their boots for years (including a really muddy fun ride when all around me were losing shoes. My trusty cavallos stayed on my cob). From what I have seen, the renegade velcro is a little more weedy. It seems to me that a scoot boot style strap would be better.
I use swiss gallopers on the hind feet of my cob and they work much better than I expected! They haven't come off yet.

 

[paddy555]

Thank you - definitely one to look at !



That's very interesting thank you - Renegades had been on my maybelist, but now cossed off! Epics scare me with those huge metal clips in front. Do they ever catch on the front hooves? How do they cope in rough ground like heather? I'd never heard of an up-buckle, so did a quick google - hoofboutique say they are now discontinued I'll investigate more

oh no, I didn't know they were discontinued. I will have to investigate. I simply cannot manage without up buckles.
the down clips are not a problem in heather or any other rough ground. I ride miles on those surfaces.

the down buckles are horrible but they don't catch on the front hooves. They are perfectly safe, i just hate them.

 

[paddy555]

Thank you - definitely one to look at !



That's very interesting thank you - Renegades had been on my maybelist, but now cossed off! Epics scare me with those huge metal clips in front. Do they ever catch on the front hooves? How do they cope in rough ground like heather? I'd never heard of an up-buckle, so did a quick google - hoofboutique say they are now discontinued I'll investigate more

thanks so much for the heads up re the up buckles. Managed to order some more from HB. I cannot live without epics and those buckles.

Total shame they have been discontinued, they made epics the most perfect boot for twisting hinds and for all those larger feet that will otherwise only go into clumpy boots.
I have contacted easycare to ask why.

 

[palo1]

Has anyone used the new Easy boot Back Countrys? Potentially these could be a way forward if they are good - I loved gloves when I used them but couldn't keep the beggars on my Arab ish chap and always felt that a 'whole' hoof covering boot would be more secure. I am looking at the new Back Country boots thinking they might work for my mare....

 

[Tarragon]

I use the Easyboot Back country on my two ponies. You confused me a bit as I thought they were "glove" boots! I love them.

 

[ester]

I like the look of the flex ones too, not seen them before. They look like a different version of a glove which is all I've used previously. The only thing I'd wonder is how easy it is to pop off the strap that goes down the side of the hoof wall on undergrowth etc.

 

[ester]

I use the Easyboot Back country on my two ponies. You confused me a bit as I thought they were "glove" boots! I love them.

they use a glove shell but with a different attachment so you can switch between the two.

 

[Brownmare]

I like the look of the flex ones too, not seen them before. They look like a different version of a glove which is all I've used previously. The only thing I'd wonder is how easy it is to pop off the strap that goes down the side of the hoof wall on undergrowth etc.

The trick is to trim off the end of the strap below the holes you use, then there isn't enough strap flapping around to catch on anything.