hoof boots? are they really successful?

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sevoflurane

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My boy has terrible feet and he really needs a break. He's a tb ex racer aged 11. Question is are hoof boots really successful, which ones seem the better option and what should I expect when his shoes are first removed?

I'm dreading it :-( I know he won't be able to walk for a while :-((((
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The answer is yes hoof boots are very successful and also don't dread it - he'll be perfectly capable of walking once his shoes are off.

Firstly get yourself a copy of Feet First http://www.amazon.co.uk/Feet-First-Baref...7118&sr=8-1

Secondly have a very careful look at his diet. If you cut out as much sugar as possible then his transition to barefoot will be so much easier. Sole sensitivity is directly linked to the amount of sugar in a horse's diet.

Thirdly the type of boot that will suit him best really depends on the size and shape of his feet. Once his shoes are off and trimmed measure them. Then check out http://www.thesaddleryshop.co.uk/D/Hoof_Boots-(Hoof_Boots).aspx

She stocks a wide range of boots and will be able to advise you on what to try.

I use the Easyboot Gloves, which are fantastic (have done 40mile rides in them this year). One boot she doesn't stock are the Renegades, which are also great but only available through trimmers.

One bit of advice - when your farrier takes his shoes off and does the trim ask him NOT to take off any sole. Farriers will generally pare back the sole in readiness for a new shoe. Your horse will need all the sole he can get to help his transition.
 
Also agree with gg. Saddlery shop are brilliant, they were so helpful when I needed some.

I have the easyboot epics and they are fab - can do anything in them - even went on a beach ride last week and cantered along the sand and they didn't move or come off.

I bought some pads to go in the boots just to give my lad some extra protection. They're really cheap and give some protection against concussion.
 
There was some stuff I saw in a magazine a little while back that was like a liquid rubber to put on the hooves and stayed on for weeks instead of using shoes but I really can't remember what it was called or who made it.
 
thanks for the tips peeps! I do have another question about the easyboot glove, they seem like the ones I would like to try but is size 3 the biggest? oops another question how long do neds take to get used to them? and do they walk funny like when you put travel boots on?

I'm am feeling a little less worried about it now, thank you
 
Size 3 is the biggest Glove at the moment but they are making a size 3.5 and size 4. Should be available later this year. If the Gloves aren't big enough at the moment then try the Epics, they come in bigger sizes.

None of my horses walked funny when they first had their boots on. Just got on with the job straight away. I got a new horse last week, his shoes are coming off today and I can't wait to get him booted up and doing some work.

It is also important not to always boot your horse though. Walking work - in hand if necessary - on different surfaces will make his hooves stronger and grow quicker. Don't ever work him on surfaces on which he's uncomfortable but don't over protect him either - most horses are perfectly able to start doing walk work on tarmac almost straight away, but build up the time/distances slowly. He should be fine on sand/rubber or grass straightaway (as long as his diet is right too).

Another important tip is to take extra care with picking out his feet, especially his white line. This is likely to be wider and softer than in a horse that has never been shod or been barefoot a while. Keep a very close eye out for any tint stones or bits of grit and remove them from the white line. I use a stud hole cleaner to scrape round my horses' white lines twice a day. Plus get yourself a wire brush and give each hoof a vigorous brush once you've picked it out. The wire brush will help remove any tiny stones/grit plus helps stimulate the sole to grow quicker.
 
I've used Old Macs now for a few years and I still can't believe how the horses take to them. They're easy to put on and have never come off at gallop or in mud. I only use them if we are hacking for longer than usual or across very stoney ground, but they're great. I shall never, ever put a shoe on a horse again!
 
I can't get boots to fit my bird as she's got very odd shaped feet. But to be honest she's not in proper work and is sound on her paddock and surrounding area so i just use either solemate pads or do a little bit of roadwork with her.

She had awful tb feet and was very footy when she first went barefoot but she did have pretty much the worst foot conformation you could ask for. Thin soles, low heels, poor frogs and weak digital cushions so to be honest it wasn't going to be a walk in the park for her
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Good luck with it and make sure you have a good chat with your farrier about it all. Also GG makes some very valid points about the whole scenario.
 
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