Hoof boots... am I overthinking this?

[ponyparty]

My new mare has pretty poor "typical ex racer" feet. They're not TERRIBLE, but they're certainly not functional hooves. I don't want to shoe her just now (although not ruling it out for the future) - I really want her feet to get in better shape before considering it.

I've got a Hoof Bootique fit kit at the moment with different sizes and brands to try. I've narrowed it down to a choice of 3 so will be trying on again and sending photos to Liz to confirm my thoughts. For anyone interested, it's between Cavallo and Equine Fusion; I tried some Flex boots as well, which I loved, but I think her feet need to be in better shape before getting some of those. They're extremely underrun and flared. I'm using a radius rasp on them regularly to a) help her get better with having her feet handled ready for next farrier visit and b) keep them a bit tidier/try and help with breakover.

Initially I thought I'd just boot her for work, which at first will just consist of in hand/walking out on the lanes. But the yard surface is very challenging for her - it's basically building rubble at the moment, the yard isn't actually up and running/officially open for business yet so it's a bit basic while I wait for stuff to get done. She's out 24/7 with others, she comes in twice per day for a feed and while she's in, at one end of the day or the other, I do something with her (handling, training, core conditioning exercises, little bit of groundwork). She can be sticky about coming through the gate and I wonder if part of it is because it hurts her feet to walk across the "yard". Aware there's an element of she probably doesn't want to leave her friends, too - just seems unfair to get after her too hard when she may be telling me "it hurts to walk over there"! She's sound in the field, the ground is soft at the moment so she's coping just fine.

So I'm trying to decide:
- Do I boot her 24/7 so she doesn't have to walk over the horrible surface twice a day to come in for a feed and some training/groundwork?
- Is there a benefit - or risk (I'm thinking thrush/rubbing?) - to booting 24/7?
- Or should I boot her on catching her, before bringing in... I feel this is a bit risky with other loose horses milling around, not massively keen on the idea? And then boots off on turning out?
- Or should I just do as I had planned before I realised how sore she was on that surface: bring in, boot, then work, then boots off? Doesn't seem very fair on her, and doesn't seem like enough time in boots to make much of a difference...
- Or I'm sure I've read somewhere - here probably - about putting down carpet offcuts over challenging surfaces for horses to use as a walkway? Is this a thing/does it work? Could ask YO about this. It's only me and her on the yard at the moment!

 

[asmp]

I use Equine Fusion and would probably go with your 4th or 5th options. I wouldn’t leave them on 24 hrs and you don’t want to be putting them on in the field when the hooves are covered in mud and there’s other horses around (I struggled at first but it gets better with time at putting them on)

 

[Red-1]

I would not leave them on 24/7. I would use offcuts of carpet at the gate, even to the extent of keeping a small roll by the gate.

To turn out I would go down, roll it out, come back for her and lead her out, taking it back up.

On the way back in I would go down, roll it out, lead her in then pop back and roll it up again. A runner size would be perfect.

It likely would not be for long as she will toughen up.

 

[ponyparty]

What a good idea to keep a runner size length rolled up by the field! Keeps it looking tidy. I’m sure YO wouldn’t mind that. Will ask her (and then try and source carpet!).

I’m leaning towards Equine fusion, I’ve had cavallos before on my last horse and didn’t like them much.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I wouldn't boot all the time either as red said try mats or an alternative on stony bits, or try some hoof armour it really does help them with rough stony ground.

 

[criso]

I liked Fusions when my tbs feet were changing as they were quite forgiving fitwise.

Now I use Renegades if I need to boot but they wouldn't have worked when the shoes first came off.

 

[GinaGeo]

You can leave Equine Fusions on 24hrs a day in drier weather. Provided you are really hot on hygiene in between and try and give her some time each day with them off for her feet to air.

I wouldn’t do it with other types of boot, as they’re too liable to twisting and rubbing. But the EF’s are a really good boot if they need to wear them a lot and I’ve never had one suffer with rubs etc.

I use them as a transitioning boot for all of mine, and one had such thin soles he lived in them to start with.

However I wouldn’t do it if the fields get muddy as that does increase the likelihood of rubbing and infection. And in that case I’d definitely do off cuts of carpet on the tricky areas if that’s an option.

Cut up puppy pads in the bottom can work well in the bottom of the boots to keep everything dry.

You do want to avoid her being uncomfortable.

 

[paddy555]

Will ask her (and then try and source carpet!).

no way would I boot 24/7. Feet need exposure to the air, to the ground and to move around on a forgiving surface to start with so improvement begins.

I have carpeted before and it works well.

Try your local carpet warehouse and speak to the manager. A sob story about the poor horse's sore feet and they have let me raid their waste bins. Some of the stuff is just brand new offcuts the fitters have scrapped after fitting.

 

[ponyparty]

Will be phoning round carpet shops tomorrow then, provided YO ok with it. I don’t like the idea of 24/7 booting really (plus it’s a big field, nightmare if one comes off and gets lost!).

 

[meleeka]

Will be phoning round carpet shops tomorrow then, provided YO ok with it. I don’t like the idea of 24/7 booting really (plus it’s a big field, nightmare if one comes off and gets lost!).

If you put an ad on your local FB page you’ll be inundated with offers of free carpets that saves people going to the tip.

 

[Melody Grey]

I use cavallos and really like them on my Welsh x. They’re really rugged underneath so great on stones although a little ungainly
But a simple, inexpensive and durable option. I tried them on my son’s little Welsh B who is effectively a miniature TB in build and they were like wellies!

The cavallos do come up big though, so choose perhaps the size below if you go for them.

Whatever you choose, I’d be inclined to go second hand because if the feet are massively flared and you work barefoot to reduce this, you’ll probably go through several sizes/ types before you arrive at the ideal. There are various Facebook groups for buying and selling which I have used.

 

[ponyparty]

Yeah deffo thinking second hand.

OH just dropped in the conversation earlier that he can get me carpet offcuts dropped off at the yard! Just need YO to ok it… I don’t see why not as the yard isn’t anywhere near finished yet, and it’s only a temporary measure… we shall see!

 

[ponyparty]

Grr, posted a wanted ad in hoof boots fb groups. Instantly get a scammer after my money. I backed out before parting with any money, but on a quick search it seems it’s rife in those groups! Might just fork out the money for new, at least I know they’re real and going to arrive I can always sell on to recoup some costs when she needs a different size.

 

[criso]

I've bought a few times from those groups without problems - always PayPal. However I've only answered adverts, maybe posting a wanted advert brings the scammers out.

 

[Hollylee1989]

I use the equine fusion ultra jogging boot for turnout, I wouldn't leave them on 24/7. I do treat his hoofs regularly to avoid thrush, only downside is they take forever to dry once wet.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Grr, posted a wanted ad in hoof boots fb groups. Instantly get a scammer after my money. I backed out before parting with any money, but on a quick search it seems it’s rife in those groups! Might just fork out the money for new, at least I know they’re real and going to arrive I can always sell on to recoup some costs when she needs a different size.

Try ebay I've sold loads on there

 

[ponyparty]

I’ve bitten the bullet and ordered a pair of equine fusion from hoof bootique. YO has ok’d the carpet too, and OH going to sort tomorrow hopefully.

Once I’ve got one pair of the equine fusion, i’ll try them on fronts and hinds - they seem a good fit on both from the shells, due to the odd shape of her feet! And then will order some more when I return the fit kit and get my discount.

She’s got vet coming to do teeth and 2nd vaccs next Monday, and will get physio booked for after that… then we can really crack on, hopefully

 

[Zoeypxo]

The lane from the fields to the yard for me is about 250metree of massive sharp stones with no other way around , my horse went barefoot 9 months ago for a ddft injury. I boot the fronts at the gate to bring her in/out. Its the only surface she actually struggles on, hinds completely fine.
Initially it was a bit interesting putting boots on whilst shes loose in the field but now it takes about 10 seconds per foot, very easy, does the trick!
I use cavallo treks.

 

[ponyparty]

Yeah, not a risk I’m willing to take at the moment in a field with 2 new horses milling around. And flies driving them mad, despite rugs masks and spray. My mare is not amazing with having her feet handled at the best of times (improving every day though… to be fair she’s been fab for a few days now!). Maybe one day - although hopefully we won’t need the boots for navigating that section anyway, if we get the carpet down.