Hoof Boot advice?

Django Pony

Django Pony

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Hi guys,

My boy Bob is an angel, but he just cannot keep a set of shoes on! :( He likes to play rough in the field (ripped-rugs a-go-go!) and with the weather being what is has been the fields are very squelchy. He just keeps pulling them off :( He has very good feet and is on Lexvet Mineral supplement.

At the moment he is un-shod and seems to be coping well, but would like to get him some hoof boots for his fronts so that we can do some more roadwork. Some of the bridleways near me are also quite stony, so I would like him to have some protection.

He was trimmed yesterday and I measured his hooves as Front Right = 15cms wide, 15cms long. Front Left = 15.5cms wide, 15cms long. He has very rounded front feet! This seems to limit the make/type of boot that would be suitable. According to my research it pretty much leaves the Boa boot or the Cavallo Simple boot.

Does anyone have any experiences with these boots, or are you able to recommend a good alternative?

I am hoping to have him re-shod once the ground dries up (probably just fronts as he seems to do so well without shoes behind). I would still like to have the boots though so that I can pop one on if he does happen to lose a shoe.

Thanks in advance :)
 
I dislike cavallos (clumpy) but they have their place. have you looked at the easyboot gloves in a wide? my horse had perfectly round feet and dished a bit, the easy boot back countries were great for him (they are gloves with built in gaitors). He was completely confident in them but not so much in the cavallos. I would try the hire scheme at the saddlery shop-excellent customer service and advice there.
 
peteralfred said:
I dislike cavallos (clumpy) but they have their place. have you looked at the easyboot gloves in a wide? my horse had perfectly round feet and dished a bit, the easy boot back countries were great for him (they are gloves with built in gaitors). He was completely confident in them but not so much in the cavallos. I would try the hire scheme at the saddlery shop-excellent customer service and advice there.
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Thanks :) He has some feathering (see pic below), I was looking at the Easyboots but I'm not sure if his feathers would get in the way of the gaiter?
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Have you measured them to the mm?
I have only used old mac g2 and easyboot gloves, so can't help you on the boots you are looking at
The saddlery shop has a sizing guide which may help
 
The cavallo's are a good starter boot, as easy to put on, and take off

They're often on ebay 2nd hand, so you could see if you can get a pair that way, and you probably won't lose any money on them.
 
Boa boots are supposed to be just awful. I have just bought some renegades for my horse who also has very round feet.
 
I have tried cavallos which I couldn't even get on then epics which he destroyed, the best I have found it the easyboot gloves. I use the power straps and hammer the boot on with a rubber mallet they have been fantastic. I only boot on the fronts tho.

If you go for the gloves and are fitting them yourself I would get the fit kit first because like any boots they are only as good as the fit also be worth getting second hand ones try preloved ebay and http://phoenixhorse.myfastforum.org/forum4.php. there are also places that hire them at a fee.

The fit is essential on any hoof boots and it may be worth seeing if you have a local trimmer who will come and fit you a pair measure properly etc

the feathers shouldn't affect the boots they don't with us although we don't have quite as much as your boy
 
Take a look at the equine fusions also as they're more concerned with length and less so on width. I've ordered a pair from bitless and barefoot, got an email to say they were out of stock but new delivery coming in back end of last week so all being well they shouldn't be much longer. I've had the best recommendation for the fusions, renegades and easyboot glove.

Backcountries are good apparently however have a tendency for Velcro to wear quickly with muddy and wet conditions. Gloves are fine providing you fit into one size, and have the correct shape (if you're thinking gloves get the fit kit, it provides you with 3 shells (size you think you need plus one size either side) and size guide isn't 100% accurate either online so this is the best way to do it). Renegades also great for feet of the correct shape and size and must again fit into one particular size and not across two.

The reason I went for the fusions is their grippiness when jumping and the fact the fitting isn't as essential to perfection.
 
I use cavallo sports (the simples were too round a shape for my mares feet)

Have Beene using them since Feb and so far so good. They are quite clumpy, but have stayed put in heavy mud and at speed (I spent the first few hacks asking my Mum if they were still there as I was paranoid) She got used to wearing them pretty quick and is quite confident in them. Only issue I found is they rubbed after about 90 mins if I didn't use some form of gaitor, and fitting with their gaitor is quite fiddley. Definitely a good starter boot, I am not sure if I would get them again- want to see how well they wear after extended use- although they currently look pretty good!
 
Django Pony said:
Thanks :) He has some feathering (see pic below), I was looking at the Easyboots but I'm not sure if his feathers would get in the way of the gaiter?
​
Click to expand...

I tried old macs and they were a great fit apart from not being able to do the straps up due to the feathers.

Easyboot Trails are great and fit easily over feathered feet. They are easy to fit, comfortable and durable. You might need inserts if your horse has really round feet but they are good boots for normal everyday work.
 
I have been using cavallo simples for over six months and can't fault them. Cheap, easy to use, good grip, easy to fit, stay on well, don't rub etc

My mare loves them.
 
Ji Django Pony - how were the boots? Am in similar position and looking at what to buy, similar measurement too, interested to find out how you got on:)
 
janei said:
Ji Django Pony - how were the boots? Am in similar position and looking at what to buy, similar measurement too, interested to find out how you got on:)
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They've been really good! We went for what was meant to be a 45 min hack but due to some poor navigational skills on my part, it turned in to a 2 hour hack! :eek: I was worrying about the boots rubbing as it's only the second time he's worn them, but they were fine! He was spooking a lot as we went past a shooting range :eek: We also went over some quite muddy and stony ground but they boots stayed put and did their job well. I'm really pleased with them.

Cannock Case equine were really helpful, I'd recommend giving them a call or checking out their website if you are unsure which boots to try. http://www.cannockchaseequine.co.uk/
 
Miy welshie has perfectly round fronts, my trimmer meassured them for me before ordering boots and said they should be perfectly round. She goes really well in renegades! No problems what ever on whatever terrain or speed.
But these days you can hire them to see wether they are for you or not! Good luck
 
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