Hoof boots for TB - recommendations please ;0)

Victoria25

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Hi all

My TB needs a pair of front boots – for general hacking only (nothing too extreme) mainly road and dirt tracks … she’s had her shoes off for a few months now (due to the fact she cant keep normal shoes on as she an extremely annoying love of big muddy bogs!) and although shes fine in the field we need something for when we’re out riding. Farrier coming to measure up in the next few.

Anyone personal recommendations – especially for thoroughbreds?
 
Contact Liz at the Hoof Boutique with photos as described on the website and she will advise you which boots you need given the shape of the individual hooves. It's best to hire a few sets of shells to see which are the best fit and then order the actual boots rather than guess and have to send them back.

DP uses Viper Renegades all round when he needs them and they are excellent, good grip and never rub anywhere but they do suit a more round foot.
 
for a TB I would go for the smallest/lightest boots, nothing too big and clumpy. For me that would be renegades either the classic or viper or alternatively easyboot gloves. I find that gloves wear longer on the roads whereas renegades have a better grip on slippery mud/grass.
Is your farrier experienced at measuring feet for boots. If they are a barefoot trimmer they probably will be but I did once see a farrier measure a TB and suggest boots that were 2 sizes too large. He had never measured feet before. Normally feet are measured after a trim. Boots fit pretty snugly especially the gloves
 
I have Cavallo sports boots on my TB type, they work well although they do look to be dying after about 9 months although I did get them on ebay with some light prior use :) overall they are good.
 
I used the Cavallo Trek for turnout, they were really good but rubbed the longer he was turned out, if you were going to go for this type I would suggest using the pastern wraps, I used socks inside mine which worked to some extent, I was on the verge of getting the wraps but mine had front shoes back on so didn't need to and I don't even know if they would have fitted so I think you need to take that into account. I think it was Hoof Boutique who was very helpful it may be worth a call when you decide to see what size etc
 
my old tb girl went barefoot (the first time!) due to that very reason! she literally didnt have any hoof to nail to after she pulled her fronts off :(

I bought old macs as they are more allowing for changes of size and shape than the boots that fit low on the hoof (gloves / Scoots) and they are easier to get a snug fit than cavallos.

If you horse has a healthy hoof shape - ie round front hooves, good heels and frog and no flare - you can pretty much choose whatever boot you want - but if she has these pathologies you will want to choose a high fitting boot.

THey are like riding hats though - some fit certain shape hooves. Cavallos come in a slim version which is good for hinds.

I still have my macs from the first time - they are about 9 yrs old now and she still wears them for hacks - shes fully barefoot now :)
 
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