Cavello boots, what are we doing wrong

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flirtygerty

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Consise version of long story, 17 hh TB came back to me after 2 yrs with disgusting feet, farrier just said "my god" when he saw him, horse is now on a low sugar diet with cooked linseed and shoes off, very footy even in the field, got him some Cavello boots, farrier was on site and said fronts were fine, backs needed a smaller size, but horse seems to struggle to walk in them, he looks as though he's walking in concrete boots.. and the gaiters wrinkle up when putting the boot on.
What else can I do to help this horse.
 
The gaiters that come with the Cavallo boots are ridiculous and I gave up on them as a bad job. I ended up getting some of the easycare ones which have a bit which goes under the foot and then they wrap round the pastern - they don't move at all. Some horses do take a bit of time to get used to them. If you're sure the fit is ok, maybe just give it some time. Do you definitely need back ones though? Even my TB who had really bad feet never needed hinds- just fronts. Have you tried just putting the front ones on and seeing how he manages with those?
 
When you say struggle to walk, does he struggle in the smooth movement of picking up his feet, ie with the breakover, or does he still seem uncomfortable when putting his feet down, for example? The breakover on them is pretty good so shouldn't cause an issue... but unless you're using comfort pads he may still be finding it uncomfortable to walk as the soles are pretty solid? I haven't tried the gaiters but pretty much everyone seems to agree they are useless: a lot of people have had success using large men's socks instead :) The other thought is being completely sure the boots fit correctly - usually when you take them off you can see the outline of where the horse's foot has been in contact with the bottom of the boot: you should be able to tell whether the feet are slopping around in the boots by this mark being blurry rather than clear, and to see whether his feet are filling the boot from how close the wall marks / back of the foot is to the outside of the boot...
 
Thanks for your replies, being new to hoof boots, I'm not sure what you mean by breakover, he raises his feet much higher than normal especially on the back, the best way I can describe it is this, if a person normally wears trainers and wears walking boots they initally feel heavy and cumbersome and they tread heavily, my farrier tested his boots and said on the fronts, a smaller size would rub, the backs fitted fine, all boots move but don't rotate, but they look heavy and large, horses feet measure 6" long and 5.5 wide all round, I just want this horse to be comfortable while his hoof grows, but he gets stroppy without work
 
I would try with just fronts on, that's where any soreness issues usually lie, and he may well be fine without. Also I would leave off gaiters all round, sometimes they cause more issues than they solve, see how he is without, try the socks if needed instead.

Horses often do exaggerated action when you first put boots in but then adapt within a couple of minutes, if it's going on longer horse may not be too comfy somewhere.
 
Which ones do you have - the make 2 sorts and one is better suited for longer than wider hooves.

The action you describe sounds like what horses do when travel boots are first put on? Bit like a cat that is made to walk through water :D In which case it should ease, but might happen each time you put them on for a few mins until he gets used to them. Cavellos don't suit all horses - they didn't mine :(

As already mentioned, they are still hard inside so it might be it is still sore for the horse. You can get gel inserts, or I know one person has had success with a lambswool/neoprene pad.

It might be worth looking at the easyboot RX (I think?) which is rubber foam 'shoe', not recommended by manufacturer as being used fr long periods of turnout, but I've seen them being used in the field on the yard with no issues, they just don't last. There is a lot more 'give' in the sole so should be more comfy.

Also, have you considered X rays - if they are that bad to put on the diet and the farrier baulk at the state then it would be good to know that everything all okay internally as this could be a reason why so footy, especially in the field.
 
Thanks for all your advice, we have the cavallo simple boots, farrier saw us struggling to put them on and came and helped and said about a smaller size rubbing. He used to be sound in shoes when we first owned him 2yrs ago, now his feet are cracked and chipped, but his action is exactly like the travel boot example
 
The size you normally would want is the smallest size you can get on the hoof, they shouldn't rub if they are a snug fit because they shouldn't be moving about., I'd think they'd be more likely to rub if they are too big. Is the farrier experienced with hoof boots or does he normally just shoe?
 
I have the cello boots and my mare has the simples on the front and the sports on the hinds.

In the 7 years I've had her she has done the same high stepping with any kind of boot, travel boots and wraps ect..... With her it stops after a couple minutes once she has gotten used to the feeling of them.

I wouldn't worry too much
 
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