Equi-boots - any one use them?

[Scaty_Bird]

Hi,

Posted last week about my new loan horses feet. Have had the all clear from the farrier - nothing nasty just poor feet from where shoe came off (phew!).

So, he has suggested I get some equi-boots so that I can ride, hack out etc and make my horse more comfortable and give him more support.

Does anyone have any experience of using these boots?? Any stories good and bad would be appreciated as I have never seen or heard of anyone using them.

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[mrdarcy]

Have replied in CR but yes hoof boots are designed for riding in - not heard of Equi-boots though. The most commonly used boots are the Easyboot range (Gloves, Epics, Bares, Edges) and the Old Macs. You can add pads if necessary to make the horse even more comfortable. I ride for miles in my boots and compete in them too.

 

[Spyda]

Hi, yes I use them if you mean the black Equi Boot and/or black Easy Boot type snap on boots. They definitely fit better to the front feet than the back. Mainly due to the rounder shape of most horse's front hooves. If you can get away with just using a front pair - I can recommend them. I've ridden through the worst mud at canter and brisk trot, and they've stayed on great. Never lost a front one. One the back feet I had more trouble getting a secure fit but then again I was using them on a small TB mare with narrow, pointy shaped hinds. On another horse with better shaped feet they may fit better.

 

[GLEEK]

How long do these boots last for roughly. I understand that it is dependant on the amount of work each horse does etc. I would just like to know a rough timscale also do you have to replace the whole boot?

 

[Spyda]

TBH I've never actually replaced any! I've still got the two pairs of Easy Boots I used to ride my mare out in (and she also wore continually for several weeks when she was recovering from an abscess and was turned out in a stony field) and they look almost new underneath.

That said, I wasn't doing loads of road work as our yard has miles of stony tracks leading to off-road riding, but I think you would find you'd get several months use out of them if you were using them for riding out in. Maybe more... I know I've had mine several years and used them on and off continually when I had my TB mare. Once the underside of the boot is worn through you throw it away and buy another one.

I've sold my mare now but have kept her rising 3 year old filly and am thinking of buying some bigger ones to fit her, too. She is shod in-front but could do with something for her hinds at certain times of the year when the ground's hard. I've seen these here Shire's Equi-boots at a good price and am tempted.

 

[Scaty_Bird]

Feeling more confident about using them now - they will only be used when ridden, I won't need to turn out in them as our fields are sand and quite soft ground.

I was worried about slipping in them or them falling off, but no-one has said they had problems with this so that's good!

Will defo look around for a pair, thanks for your advice all!