Cavallo Horse Boots

mcnaughty

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Hi - does anyone out there use these?

My mare has a nasty puncture to her near side hind which I have been poulticing and am now hardening off with iodine (farrier advised). She is always barefoot behind and I want to find something that would protect her out in the field until it has grown out.

What do you think?

http://www.cavallo-inc.com/us/Simple-Hoof-Boots
 
I have a pair for Henry. Unfortunately, even the smallest size is a little too big for him, but assuming this isn't a problem for you, try them! I love their ease-of-use. They're durable and stay put even despite the size issue. I wasn't keen on the gaiters that came with mine, but didn't need them anyway. The soft upper meant that I had no rubbing issues. For getting on and off and sole grip, I think they're one of the best types of boot.
 
I wish I'd got them years ago. I have a 19yr old with navicular who is semi retired, we have a plod around the village now and then. I got him some boots to try last week and he loves them. Actually decided to tank off with me across one of the farm tracks on ground so hard that I wouldn't consider going faster than a walk on.

I haven't used them for turnout but if you're on a part in and part out system I don't see why not, easier than rolls of duck tape!
 
Excellent boots. Bit clumpy for lots of fast work but otherwise brill. Dead easy to use, hard wearing and rarely rub.

The only down side is the crap gaiter they have. Buy some Boa ones instead. If she's going to wear them for extended period of time she'll need protection.
 
Can't edit on mobile but to add: the standard cavallo Simple boots are round so you may find the Sport version more suitable for back feet, which are usually narrower.
 
I recently bought the simple cavallo boots for my mare who has rotation, and i bought boa gaitors to go with them. She has taken to them like a duck to water so far, it is nice to rest my mind as we hack out that she can cope with any stony ground we come accross with ease :D
Love em
 
I've just taken delivery of some today and not sure they fit. :confused: I tried on a friends size 4's and they were definitely miles too big, so I got a 3 and they seem tight around the bulbs of his heels. They go on easily enough but there is no space around the back at all and his heels look 'pressed' when I take them off after a few mins. The 4's were massive though and no way I'd have been able to pad them out.
Not sure what to do now! Lovely boots though, well made and easy peasy to put on, I had boas for my old pony and they were a pain to put on and off.
 
Another question - I was thinking of these for Shy, but he has hairy hooves all round, covering the whole thing. Do boots go over the hair or under :confused: And do they have to be used with a gaiter ?

Ta muchly :)
 
I use these boots and they are fantastic... They cost me £90 brand new a couple of years ago but I would not be without them! can not praise this product enough! ;o
 
Another question - I was thinking of these for Shy, but he has hairy hooves all round, covering the whole thing. Do boots go over the hair or under :confused: And do they have to be used with a gaiter ?

Ta muchly :)

I have trimmed Serens feathers a bit on the front just so I can see what I am doing, not ideal but for her foot health/comfort totally worth it
 
But, but, can you ride in them?

It says on the box you can - I never have only because I only use them when there is a need to poultice foot or a shoe has been thrown.... However, one of my friends used to use Boa boots (which you are meant to be able to ride in) and they fell apart in a matter of weeks! :( She brought some of these cavello boots and rides in them and she brought hers before I brought mine....
 
You can definitely ride in Cavallo boots. There is a new boot just launched, the Easyboot Trail, Google it, it's just come into stock in the UK, even easier than the Old Mac's to put on, you can buy them seperately rather than in pairs.

I use Old Mac G2, don't use a gaiter as I don't find they rub, bt definitely use a 12mm comfort pad for extra support.
 
Yep, they are designed for riding in.

patsie2: The Simple model are measured just on length (tip of toe to furthest back past of hoofwall heel) and actually the fitting guide is not massively helpful. I know the width is the same as the length but only cos i've got a pair but width isn't factored in their guide at all! They therefore suit very round hooves (most boots are for longer than wide feet).

Seoirse, what width and length are your horses feet? The Simple boot is perfectly round whereas most hooves just out of shoes are narrow and contracted. It may be that the boot is too wide but too short. The Sport version is designed for narrower feet, as are many for the Easycare range.

Before making a decision on which boots you really need to measure your horse's feet shape very carefully and then go for the style that isthe best match. Some suit very round feet, some narrow and long. Easyboot gloves are prob the best boot for riding on the market but only if the suit the foot shape. For very round feet cavallo and old mac originals are better.
 
Mine wears them for turnout when the ground is hard (he has navicular) and I ride in them all the time, I have tried ALL the other boots, these are the only ones that don't rub, don't put pressure on the foot, don't break my fingers trying to put them on, and don't cost and arm and a leg, I like the gaiters too, you just have to put the elastic under the bulbs and they will NOT move! I school in them, go for hacks in them, and If he could jump in them I would, they are lighter than all the rest and are the very best boot!
 
Very interested in this thread...... I have a barefoot horse & we are moving yards in a few weeks & will do much more hacking with more road work & possibly stony ground.
Does anyone have a barefoot horse that they put these boots on for hacking out? and do they do the trick?
Thanks
 
Cavallo boots are absolutely made for riding in, i've used them since they were introduced to the market, i haven't remained faithful as ponies have different shaped feet so also use Mac G2's and have just bought the Easy Trails which believe it or not are even easier than the Cavallos to put on.

My first Cavallos lasted over 2 yrs with constant hammering and only broke down as my mare over-reached and ripped the back out of them eventually but £89 for 2 yrs was money well spent.

None of my boots have ever come off, twisted round or rubbed anywhere and i've completed XC, endurance, showjumping and general hacking. The key is absolutely getting the right fit to begin with, measure straight after a trim and take into account how long your trim cycle is and how much foot will grow.

The heels in the boots will soften a bit and stretch, you can help that process by a using a little vasline to soften the material, better than gaitors which can rub, use an old pair of socks pulled up under the fetlock and then rolled back down to the cuff of the boot.

I've only one in boots now, G2's on front and the Trails on back with comfort pads as he is recovering from a back issue and having flat soles has compounded the issue somewhat. Flat soles = sore feet = don't use back properly = sore back = can't work = flat feet etc etc etc.
 
A girl at our yard has been hacking and jumping her welsh cob in cavallos for 2 years now. The boots are getting a bit trashed with the constant wear but they've been brilliant and never come off.
I recently bought a pair for my horse but they were too tight around the bulbs of his heel so I am about to order the next size up and see if that works, if not I'll have to look at other makes. I intend to ride him in them though until his feet are stable enough to have shoes back on.
 
i use them on my tb who cant be shod anymore and is doing very well barefoot, he has navicular so is semi retired but he wears them when we go for walks around the lanes! they arnt the best of fits and the sizing guide isnt great, mine measured as a size four and they absolutley drowned his feet! so i got a size three and they are abit snug around the foot but still abit big around his pastern but they do not twist or turn so i cant complain! they are very easy to put on and seem very tough, i use gel pads with them aswell. i got mine for £89 from ebay!
 
We used them an awful lot when we first had shoes off. They are BRILLIANT :) We used Old Mac gaiters in them and also put pads in the bottom. D was able to SJ, XC and jump ditches etc easily in them
 
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