Help with Cavallo Horse Boots!

L&B

L&B

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In short, I have a 4yo TB with underrun heels, a broken back hoof pastern axis, flat & extremely thin soles and a slightly rotated/unbalanced pedal bone. This was proven by Xrays, but no actual 'diagnosis' as to why he ended up this way has ever been given. However, his lameness occurred after a farrier visit & a new set of shoes (my boy being new to the farrier) - the only thing I can think of is the farrier was heavy handed, trimmed the horse to fit the shoe & left him sore.

Anyway, track forwards, through 6weeks of boxrest, my lad has £200 imprint shoes on with gel pads! Brilliant they were, did wonders, he was practically sound in walk/trot & canter & only struggled on very sharp turns on the hard. We went for our first walk out (in hand) for half a mile down our local bridlepath & he was striding out with a spring in his step. Until he pulled them off 2days ago & now he's hopping lame once again :( :(

I won't go into in on here, but the farrier is refusing to take any responsibility & won't even meet me half way, negotiation wise, or cost wise (£200 if you were wondering). The insurance only pay out every six weeks (as would be standard for a 'normal' shoeing) & frankly, I've had enough! Enough IS enough!


So my question is this: for a currently lame (again), horse on boxrest with an extremely deep bed & on bute... What hoof boots do you recommend to get him back walking & striding out again and making progress there on in?

I spoke to a very friendly & helpful lady yday & was told Cavallos are the best for my boy with a thick sock to begin with and 4lb pads.

His measurements are 12.5cm from toe to buttress & 13cm wide at the widest point. What size boots would I need?

A size 2 which are 118mm - 125mm
Or a size 3 which are 126mm - 133mm?????

It's knowing which size to go for that I'm struggling with most of all!
 
Hiya. Looking at the sizing guide, I would go for a size 2. The Cavallo website says their Simple boots will "fit a hoof width that exceeds the length by up to one size", so they should fit.

Just a thought, if you're horse is rather full of himself and striding out, the Cavallo boots are quite clumpy and he might pull them off. Have you thought about trying the Easyboots?

Best of luck sorting his feet out! :)
 
when considering the size you will also have to take into consideration that you are putting pads in.

If you get the wrong size you will have to return them which will be additional postage so I would suggest that you order both, try them (obviously cut the pads for the largest one first) and see which fits best. Sizing charts are at best only a guide. The only way you really know is actually putting the boot on the foot.
I appreciate there will be postage to send one pair back but it will be worth it to get the best fit and also you could well have addition postage if you go for the wrong size.

When trying boots (which potentially you have to return in perfect condition)
stand the feet on either a clean bath towel or piece of carpet. Put a clear freezer bag over the foot and tape it around the pastern. That way the boot is kept clean.
 
Size 2. My horse and similar measurements to yours and I went with what appeared to be the smaller, and they actually fitted perfectly.
 
How did you measure his hooves? What worked for me was to take a small piece of board with a sheet of paper taped to it, ask the horse to stand with his hoof on the paper and then get on your hands and knees with a sharp pencil and carefully trace around the edge of the hoof. Obviously do a separate sheet for each hoof.

When the boots arrive, cut out the hoof shapes and put them inside the boots before you even go to the yard - you will be able to gauge fit much easier with the paper than a moving, attached hoof!!! :D And yes, ditto trying on on a piece of carpet and with a bag over the hoof to protect the boots in case they are the wrong size! And remember to allow 5mm for hoof growth between trims.
 
Can I offer a couple of extra suggestions?

First, when measuring, can you paint the sole with something - even mud will do, but something coloured is best - and then ask the horse to stand on your card or paper and then draw around the outside? Just drawing around the outside makes it hard to see where the heel ends, but if the horse is actualiy weighting the hoof, the imprint left makes this much clearer.

Second, in my experience Cvallos are generous fits, so the size up may be very big, even with pads inside.

Third, excellent tip from Skippy's Mum on here - to prevent rubs, and to keep the hoof and frog from getting icky when in boots for longer periods, buy some Lanacane Medicated Powder. Magic stuff - absorbs moisture but also slightly medicated so helps with thrushy frogs too.

Hope that helps - I agree with contacting Justine again, though, as you'll get conflicting answers on here and end up more confused!
 
My horse was the same, same probs and also on box rest/bute. I got out a trimmer who carried the boots on them so he measured my lad and fitted 12mm comfort pads as well. I ended up with easyboot epics which I love but the cavellos iv got for my mare I totally hate they are to big and bulky compaired to the epics. May be best to get somebody out with a range of boots to get a pair that fit well for his shape
 
thatsmygirl said:
My horse was the same, same probs and also on box rest/bute. I got out a trimmer who carried the boots on them so he measured my lad and fitted 12mm comfort pads as well. I ended up with easyboot epics which I love but the cavellos iv got for my mare I totally hate they are to big and bulky compaired to the epics. May be best to get somebody out with a range of boots to get a pair that fit well for his shape
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the epics are a very nice riding boot and you can get a thicker pad in them however the point of the cavallos is that you can get a thick pad in and with some of the easycare range you cannot.
The cavallos are cheap. The epics for example will be twice the price. The boots are as a rehab boot. From what OP describes the feet need a boot they can be comfortable in and that the horse can be walked in hand to promote growth. When it's feet are sorted and it is flying madly around the countryside then some other boot may be more appropriate.

The feet may well change size so investing in a more expensive boot may simply be a waste of money until the size stabilises.

It is more difficult measuring length on feet but if you put a ruler across the heels at the end of the heel butresses, mark the front of the toe with a pen and then measure between the two it gives a more definite measurement.
However you may also have to allow for the underun heels.
 
Lami pony was even all round, 122mm so we went with size two simples and he still had enough room for pads and wraps.

He is now going into three months later the size three sport( well will be trying them on tonight to make sure) as he has changed shape and is now longer in the toe and narrower in the width.
 
My epics were rehab boots as well paddy555, the 12mm pads work well to help frog/heels to be used. The cavellos may not fit so wouldn't it be best to get somebody out who carrys a range so you can try different ones without the hassel of sending back etc. Tbh if my first experience was useing cavellos I wouldn't be very impressed with boots but as my lad has odd shaped feet due to the fact he can't be trimmed they shape to his feet due to the lace system. Iv used boa, cavello and easyboot and easyboot epics are by far in my experience a better boot and a lot of places who sell the boots will do a trade in if you ever need to change sizes. Far better way than just hoping a set boot may fit your horse when it may not. And you can compair different boots at the same time in front of you and see what you perfer and best fit.
 
I'm sure you are right re the epics etc that'smygirl but cavallos are idiot proof for folk starting out and I know my mare is going to have smaller feet soon so I will happily use the cavallos until she is ready for some easy boot gloves (I hope).
 
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