Hoof boots - Equine Fusion All Terrain Ultra

[cauda equina]

Has anyone used these?
They look good very good in their video but I'm wondering what they are like in use.

Or any other recommendations please - I'm looking for something for hinds as his Cavallos have started rubbing - they've been great up to now but don't cope well with constant wetting.
Scoot slims are no good as he's between sizes, and I have no experience of any other brands
Thanks in advance

 

[Barton Bounty]

My friend swears by these, they are the Nike Air of hoof boots lol. I couldn’t get them for my boy as his heels are too low. Her horse seems to like them. ?

 

[w1bbler]

Make sure you watch the fitting video, if you don't put them on just right they go sloppy & can come off. When you get the hang of them they are fab.
My only complaint is riding in mud, cleaning removing & drying is a pain. I Swapped to scoots for winter

 

[Red-1]

I have started to use some Flex boots. They are amazing! Much better than the Gloves that I used before. Really soft and they don't clump around when we walk down the road! They almost sound like bare foot steps.

No rubbing.

 

[Spottyappy]

I use them, mostly in winter, due to an old injury on one of my mare’s feet. They are good, but I struggle to get them tight enough, (lightly arthritic hands) and have lost one when cantering.
i did have them fitted for me, by The Hoof Boot shop, who I highly recommend as I brought some previously online and they didn’t fit at all.

 

[cauda equina]

I use them, mostly in winter, due to an old injury on one of my mare’s feet. They are good, but I struggle to get them tight enough, (lightly arthritic hands) and have lost one when cantering.
i did have them fitted for me, by The Hoof Boot shop, who I highly recommend as I brought some previously online and they didn’t fit at all.

From their video fitting looks pretty fool-proof but it's obviously more complicated than that, I'm glad I asked!

 

[Marigold4]

I have used these for years and really rate them for grip and staying on. You can even turn out in them. Not the flashiest boot around but very serviceable. I put mine in the washing machine on a low temperature cycle every now and then.

 

[Floofball]

I’ve used them with great success on the fronts but there was always some twisting on the backs so now use Flex boots which I love! Equine Fusion boots are quite forgiving and long lasting but do seem to stretch a bit over time and are hard to dry out in winter.
If you go to hoofboutique on line you could try fit kits for both and see what will suit best. Liz and team are so very helpful and are happy to study photos and advise via email

 

[GinaGeo]

I really like them as a rehab boot, when they need to live in them. Or if you need to pad.

However, as a ridden boot I find them a bit clumpy and behind they can twist as they’re not that close fitting.

For ridden work where you don’t need thick pad I’d look at Flex Boots, Renegades, Exploras, Scoots.

Speak to Hoof Boutique or Urban Horse. They will be able to recommend something that would fit and be suitable.

 

[AnShanDan]

I've had a few pairs of these, they are v comfortable boots but they move even when you get them on really tightly and they tear at the back.

I'm converted to flex boots now. They just work somehow and because they aren't really absorbent they don't get heavy (which helps them stay on) and you can wash them under the tap and they're dry in no time.

 

[Hollylee1989]

I use them for turnout and hand walking, found no issues with them. Were fitted by the hoof boot shop, slight downside is they take forever to dry. Roll on spring/summer!

 

[Fransurrey]

I have the All Terrain Actives (v.similar to the Ultra in fit). I like them for the ease of application, but found them clumpy for ridden work. They're one of the few boots that can be worn over heavy feather.

 

[bouncing_ball]

Make sure you watch the fitting video, if you don't put them on just right they go sloppy & can come off. When you get the hang of them they are fab.
My only complaint is riding in mud, cleaning removing & drying is a pain.

Echo this. Very forgiving fit and adjustable, great grip, fiddly to put on, a pain to clean and dry. Bulky and not great breakover.

Love Flex but IMO once tread wears down a little are VERY slippery on wet grass and wet mud. And it doesn’t take much roadwork to wear tread down!

 

[mustardsmum]

I recently bought a horse who came with Scoot boots and I love them. I have no previous experience of either barefoot or hoof boots. Due to my daughter going off to uni, I decided her mare could have her shoes off and I would buy some boots for hacking as she is now semi-retired. Naturally, my new found experience with Scoot boots meant that they were my preference because they were easy to fit, didn’t move or rub and my boy goes so well in them. Seeing Hoof Bootique did fit kits, I spoke to them and sent them photos of our mares feet and requested advice as to which size scoots would fit her best. The upshot was I hired a fit kit on their advice which included Scoots, Cavello and Flex boots. I was convinced the scoots would fit, but after seeing the photos of our mare hooves, HB felt the Cavellos would be better for her. I wasn’t keen on them, but when we tried the fit kit arrived, the scoots were no good at all - they simply did not suit her low heels and shallow, narrow feet. We ended up with Cavello which fit nicely and she seems very happy in them for now.

What I am trying to say is when buying hoof boots it’s what suits your horse, and it’s not always what we would choose. So it’s a really good idea to hire the shells and watch the fittting videos. I would talk to the Hoof Bootique and send them photos (there is an excellent guide to how they need photos on their website) and then get a fit kit based on their recommendations. It’s easy to want a certain type (I love the scoots on my boy!) but like us, you have to get the boot that works best for your horse.

 

[TTK]

I second what Mustardsmum says, go through the whole process with the hoof boutique of measurements, photos and the shell kit. I tried 9 shells and only one fitted which happened to be the equine fusions. I love them, they stay on through mud, down grassy slopes, anywhere. They are a bit of a so & so to do up as I too have arthritis in my hands but I highly recommend them.

 

[Taliesan]

I've used them on my younger horse and have been thoroughly impressed. They have never rubbed him (and we've been on some really long walks in them) and haven't slipped or twisted.

They can be a bit fiddly to get on but, once you get the hang of them and into a routine they are absolutely fine.

To wash and clean off they are a bit more fiddly than something like Flex boots where you can just stick a hose on them and give a bit of a scrub with a brush but, again, once you get into the swing of it they aren't too bad at all. They do take quite a while to dry though which is a bit of a downside if you need to use them soon after cleaning them. I do just leave mine to air dry at the yard though, I imagine I could get them to dry faster if I brought them into my house and put them by a radiator or something.

I do have Flex boots for my other horse and get on really well with those too.

Personally I prefer the close fitting 'sportier' boots to the clumpy ones like the Equine Fusions but, that said, my horse moves well in his Fusions and clearly finds them very comfortable.

Much like everyone else has said though, it is about the shape of your horses' hooves and what boots actually fit them. I really wanted Explora Magics for my second horse but his feet were just not the right shape for the shells - so we ended up with Flex boots which, to be fair, do work well.

I had The Hoof Boot Shop come out to fit both my horses with their boots. It was ideal as they had all the shell kits there with them and the boots I wanted were in stock too, so I got the boots on the same day as the fitting. (She brought the sizes she thought they'd need with her so I could buy them there on the day.)

 

[Fruitcake]

What I am trying to say is when buying hoof boots it’s what suits your horse, and it’s not always what we would choose. So it’s a really good idea to hire the shells and watch the fittting videos. I would talk to the Hoof Bootique and send them photos (there is an excellent guide to how they need photos on their website) and then get a fit kit based on their recommendations. It’s easy to want a certain type (I love the scoots on my boy!) but like us, you have to get the boot that works best for your horse.

Completely agree with this! The choice is often taken out of your hands according to what will fit your horse’s hooves.


OP, I had EF All Terrain for one of my horses when I first took his hind shoes off (as they were the ones that came out as the best fit from the measurements and fit kit). They were secure (he tends to twist a little) and, once I got used to the technique, they were easy enough to put on - although did need a hoofpick to pull the strap. I didn’t find an issue with them getting dirty as I just hosed them off after use or popped them in the washer on a cool wash.

After a while of having the shoes off though, his feet changed shape and I had to send for another fit kit. He now has Scoot Boots, which definitely wouldn’t have been my first choice but seem to fit him well (and are definitely easier to get on then the EFs.)

Honestly, I wouldn’t bother researching opinions on brands though until you’ve narrowed down your choice to suitable options with measurements and / or a fit kit. You might find you end up with something completely different to what you initially thought.

 

[cauda equina]

Thanks so much for all the replies
I agree that getting a fitter out is the way to go; trying to guess what will work is likely to be more costly and faffy in the long run

 

[Fruitcake]

Thanks so much for all the replies
I agree that getting a fitter out is the way to go; trying to guess what will work is likely to be more costly and faffy in the long run

You don’t necessarily need to get a fitter out. The Hoof Bootique did mine from photos and measurements. I ordered a fit kit made up of the recommendations from this and took photos of all the boots to send to them. They were really helpful and gave loads of advice.

 

[Peglo]

Yeah the HB was really good when I was getting mine measured. I wanted scoots but they just didn’t fit. But I’m so glad I went down the fit kits route to find something that suited. My old pony had old macs but I wanted a neater boot for my new one and ended up with easyboot gloves as they fit best of the kits I tried. Definitely recommend sending pictures to hoof boutique

 

[AntiPuck]

Does anybody use any kind of sock under theirs? I tried them on a 40 minute in-hand walk the other day and they've rubbed the ouside edge of one of my horse's heel bulbs quite badly - wondering if it's just poor fit or if I can mitigate with some socks in the future

 

[Red-1]

Echo this. Very forgiving fit and adjustable, great grip, fiddly to put on, a pain to clean and dry. Bulky and not great breakover.

Love Flex but IMO once tread wears down a little are VERY slippery on wet grass and wet mud. And it doesn’t take much roadwork to wear tread down!

Hello, yes, today we were on some mud and the flex boots were very slippery and tipped the horse up! Both of us are fine, but I think we will wear fronts only from now on!

Such a pity as they are amazing on the roads. Almost silent, even quieter than barefoot. Feel really cushioned and don't rub. We were riding further and further.

 

[MuddyMonster]

If you like the Cavallo's otherwise I found putting Vaseline inside the rim of the boots and on pony's heel stopped rubbing.

I did buy Scoot endurance gaitors to use with them (I found socks and tubi grip moved too much for us to work) but haven't tried them as valentine worked well enough for us - although might need them in the summer when we increase mileage again!

 

[bouncing_ball]

Hello, yes, today we were on some mud and the flex boots were very slippery and tipped the horse up! Both of us are fine, but I think we will wear fronts only from now on!

Such a pity as they are amazing on the roads. Almost silent, even quieter than barefoot. Feel really cushioned and don't rub. We were riding further and further.

Scary. Yes I loved them too till we fell over twice on wet grass (I using 4 Flex boots).

I try not to use at all now unless ground dry.

 

[paddy555]

Hello, yes, today we were on some mud and the flex boots were very slippery and tipped the horse up! Both of us are fine, but I think we will wear fronts only from now on!

Such a pity as they are amazing on the roads. Almost silent, even quieter than barefoot. Feel really cushioned and don't rub. We were riding further and further.

glad you are both OK.

The only boots I trust on mud are renegades on all 4 feet if needed.

 

[bouncing_ball]

glad you are both OK.

The only boots I trust on mud are renegades on all 4 feet if needed.

I’m building trust with Evo and Explora magic in mud / wet grass.

I’d also in extreme slippery conditions think about forgoing back boots for my horse. Mine ideally wears them hacking as hind feet are a bit short at the moment but odd hack without them okay.