Boa/Easy boot/Old Mac - any experiences to share?

[claire1976]

I've given up keeping shoe's on my mare's front feet now. Her feet are very poor and growth is slow despite a good diet and hoof supplements. The farrier has recommended boots as I only do light hacking now she is getting older and it'll probably be cheaper for me to buy the boots than keep shoeing.
Does anyone have any personal experience on any of them?
Durability, ease of fit, rubbing, staying power etc etc.
I'd be really grateful for any advice/info.
Thanks

 

[Tia]

This is my experience of those 3 boots; all of which I have owned at some time or another. Others may have different opinions on them.

Boa boots - big old pain in the butt. I don't like the way in which they are designed and I found a couple of fundemental problems with them. I would never buy another pair of these boots.

Easy Boots - they are okay but only for real temporary use. I don't think they are really cut out for riding in.

Old Macs - can't rate them highly enough. Everything fits where it is supposed to fit. They are easy to put on and work well. Long lasting with no dodgy fittings.

 

[Alibear]

I have a pair of old mac G2's for 12 months now, just used infront for hacking once or twice a week.

Great boots, only rubbed once and I still can figure out why they did that 1 time.
Easy to fit once you've got used to them and once they've worn in a bit.

 

[Foxfolly]

I have the Marquis supergrip boots on my chap and have found them very good, I like they way they are held on by pumping them up with air therfore no straps to rub, also that fact that you can replace the soles and other parts so you don't have to fork out for a new set when they wear out, mine were 2nd hand and I', still on the original set of soles!!
I have used them in quite muddy conditions and they were great. I haven't ever turned out in them though!
Here is the link to the website, I think you can try them on hire too which is handy!

http://www.equestrianselect.co.uk/

 

[nuffield]

OH has CAVALLO boots for his horse. he only rides once a week and reckons it not worth shoeing.
No problems with them.

 

[Doublethyme]

Boas - never used them but have heard a lot of reports about them being very dicey on anything slippery and also can cause severe rubbing/pressure injuries if the dial is overtightened.

- Easyboot Epics - I liked them, apart from the traction, which again isn't good on slippy surfaces. I also had a problem with them digging in the side of my horse's coronet band, but I think that was more a problem with the depth of her feet, than the boots themselves, plus there have been some significant developments on the boots since I bought mine.

Easyboot Bares - never used them personally and they are not popular on the barefoot forums I visit, they are a pig to get on, traction is poor.

Easyboot Edge - these seem to have got a good reception, but are not recommended for lots and lots of road work, as the traction is quite severe.

Old Mac G2's - these are the ones I have used most extensively and had very few problems with. Traction is just right on most surfaces, not too aggressive, but leaves you standing on four hooves!!!! Easy to fit and certainly mine stayed on all four hooves through every type of terrain and all speeds over miles of countryside.

Renegades - these are new on the scene and not readily available, but have had really good reviews particularly from the endurance scene.

Cavallos - again have heard good things about these, very easy to put on, traction pretty good. I certainly thought about trying these, before my mare went back to shoes recently due to issues unrelating to her feet.

Hope this helps, just information I've picked up from various forums/websites over the 3 years my mare was barefoot.

 

[brightmount]

I've only ever used Old Macs, as these were recommended by my EP. They do the job well. My only issue is that the material soaks up water and mud and they get heavy. I wouldn't turn out in them but they are great for riding over any terrain.

 

[Abbeygale]

I used old mac g2's did not like them at all - didn't suit my mare's feet, difficult to get on, difficult to get the straps and fittings in the right places.

i am using easyboot epics on my mare now - had them about a year, riding 3 - 5 times a week, doing between 6 - 10 miles per ride, mostly road work, and I can't rate them high enough. Much easier to put on and off than the old macs, and I have not had them once twist or slip.

 

[Silverspring]

[quote

Old Macs - can't rate them highly enough. Everything fits where it is supposed to fit. They are easy to put on and work well. Long lasting with no dodgy fittings.

[/ QUOTE ]

ditto this, I have the Old Mac G2 and I think they are just fab! They are so easy to get on an off, the stay on through all terrain (and I have had them through the WORST mud ever this year!) if you are only planning light hacking these would be great, they recommend any work up to 25 miles.

 

[claire1976]

Thank you very much guys for the info. It has given me a lot to think about. I'm going to do some more research into the old macs, epics and cavallo's. Previously I'd been considering the boa's but it seems most of you have had not such good experiences with those.
I appreciate everyone's comments and this has helped me a lot.
Cheers.