Hoof boot questions

[PurBee]

Hey folks,

im hoping those who’ve used hoof boots a lot can answer some questions i have, as im seeing a lot of secondhand ones for sale due to people choosing the wrong size...so want to avoid that scenario!

* Should i choose a size up if pads are to be used with the boots? Or is the potential to pad allowed within the sizes?

* Have you found that choosing a boot that EXACTLY is on the sizing ends up with the boots being too tight?

* Is it okay for there to be 5mm room within the boots or are they better to be tight than loose?

* any recommendations for brands? These arent for riding, for yard loafing mainly - so a brand thats breathable for wearing for hours on end...ive been looking at easyboots.

Thanks so much for any tips!?

 

[SquishyPony2004]

My experience is, You want to measure the hooves right after a trim. Most boots allow for growth during the cycle.

If you look up the "hoof boutique" you can get fit kits which show you the footprint and different sizes/ shapes. Different brands have different ratios of width/length often. They also allow you to hire boots if you want to try them first

 

[Tiddlypom]

* any recommendations for brands? These arent for riding, for yard loafing mainly - so a brand thats breathable for wearing for hours on end...ive been looking at easyboots.

With the proviso that they must suit your horse, Cavallo treks have a forgiving fit. I have used them for turnout 23/24 hrs over several weeks when rehabbing a horse. This was in summer, though, when the ground was dry - they would get damp inside if the horse is on wet ground.



I buy my new hoof boots from Urban Horse - they are very helpful and knowledgeable. You supply measurements and pics and they suggest what might fit best.

 

[SquishyPony2004]

Indeed, equine fusion jogging shoe also rated for turnout and a forgiving fit.

 

[PurBee]

Thanks all for the brand suggestions, will have a good look now.
I’d forgotten about hoof boutique aswell, will check them out.

Your horse looks like they’re having fun in their boots tp! I’m going to take the boots off when my horse is in overnight on dry ground/bed to give the hooves a breather from the boots - good to know the cavallo treks are suitable for longterm wear. I suddenly realised that the riding boots might only be made for 1-4 hours riding and therefore might not breathe well if left on longterm.


My horse has just been trimmed and is 13cm long and wide - with outer wall bevelled and toes shortened to inner wall. So i was wondering about fit as the outer wall growth down will add 1cm to the width and length....which happens to straddle size 3 and 4 of cavallo’s - so i was unsure which size to pick!

 

[SquishyPony2004]

I used to ride in cavellos treks and turn out in the equine fusion jogging shoe. You need to keep an eye as they do all take on water and so can make the feet a bit soft of you're keeping them on a while.

I would say the fusion has a thicker softer tread whereas the cavellos without the pad were quite hard.

I have a couple of pairs of the treks and we might even be the same size. I'll check for you later in case you were interested in a second hand pair

 

[Melody Grey]

IME, go for the smaller of the sizes with cavallos, they’re definitely generous! You could always use nappy bags on your horses (clean!) feet and try them on over a rug/ towel on the floor then they’re clean to exchange if the wrong size?

 

[Gloi]

When you decide what boots you are going to get go on the Facebook pages for used hoofboots and look for them second hand. That way if they don't work you will be able to sell them again for a similar pride and not lose money.

 

[ester]

I'd probably trial cavallos for what you want first, usually a fair number available second hand (mine came off ebay and sold for the same when I didn't need them anymore) You have the option of the different widths with them and IME I didn't size up for a pad (but their own pads are hard (iirc relatively thick) silicone, easyboot pads are thinner and come in different squishinesses, EPS pads are bigger and more squishy again.