Hoof boot info please

[Nudibranch]

I know nothing about them really but am wondering if they are a medium-term option for a tb with sh*tty feet, while they hopefully build up and improve for regular shoeing?

Are boots suitable for regular (say 5 times a week) hacking on roads and cross country, and if so, how long might a set last? With a set of Old Macs or Boas coming in at about £200, would they outlast four sets of shoes?

They would have to be worn, I imagine, for between 6 and 12 months.

 

[Kallibear]

They will last a good year, if not more, so yes, way more than 4 shoeings. My boa's are a year old, used a couple of times a week for serious hacking (miles of road work) and still going strong.

They can be used for pretty much anything - the only problem people come across is grip on wet grass and mud. You can put stud in them though. Grip on the roads is way better than shod feet.

They'd be ideal for allowing to you continue working the horse barefoot, whilst the feet transition.

However, just ripping shoes off and sticking boots on is a recipe for disaster. It's pretty much guarenteed not to work if their feet are rubbish.

You need to go and do lots of research into barefoot and what's involved in it. There are some good forums about the place to ask.

I would highly reccomend you get an qualified barefoot trimmer out (there's a couple of types, all very similar and good, but avoid Strasser like the plauge) to advise you. They are much much better at barefoot stuff than even the very best farrier. They will help you with everything from trimming and boots to feeding and management (which play a huge part in foot quality). They're less expensive than a farrier visit too.

Which boots you chose (Epic, Bare, Boa, old macs) depends on the shape of the foot. Have a look here for the info on EasyCare http://www.easycareinc.com/ boots. There are also Marquis boot and the new Renegade boots (have rave reveiws - I'd have a pair like a shot if only they went big enough!).

If the feet are crap you will need to look into treating any hoof wall infection, padding up to stimulate frog growth, heel decontraction and thickening the sole and correct trimming to bring the heels back. Without doing that, you'll not get anywhere and just waste your money of boot, hence having someone experienced come out to help you.

Barefoot works fabulously well for most horses if done properly, and commited too. There are however a huge number of people who have ripped shoes off, stuck the first type of boot that come across on and then insisted barefoot 'doesn't work'.

 

[lachlanandmarcus]

My Boas have lasted 18 months so far and are still perfectly serviceable....theyre great!

 

[Abbeygale]

I've had my easyboot epics for almost a year and I do mostly ride on the road. They are filthy as hell at the moment, but if I clean them up they look as good as new. Also I know with the easyboots you can get most bits of the boot as replacement parts - which is great if you are a numpty like me and lose bits when you take them apart for a good clean!!

If my easyboots ever wear out i will definitely get another pair.

 

[Nudibranch]

Thanks all, tb isn't mine (yet!), he is currently barefoot and always throws shoes, and I've been offered him for nothing but he does have rubbish feet. So before I go down that route - and I may very well not - I wanted to see if boots might be an option.