hoof boots have arrived what to expect?

K

katymay

Well-Known Member
Joined
20 April 2012
Messages
576
Visit site
Jester continues to be totally sound in the field without his shoes, he is full of energy and trots like he is floating on air :) he can't cope with the stony roads so have bought hoof boots for the fronts, will be trying them on tomorrow when we have plenty of time, fingers crossed they fit x what should I expect? Should he be comfortable straight away? They feel quite hard inside, I went for the cavello sport as they suited his hoof shape, looking forward to hacking out as he has put on weight despite a carefully restriction on food, thank you
 
You can get pads to go inside that provide extra support and are a bit softer, and are very good for the development of a strong foot.

If they are the sort you have to struggle to pull on, I put a bit of vaseline or even Sudocream round the edge of the foot to help ease it on, and put some in the frog and round the heels too.

If you think it could be a snugger fit, then put the horse in socks first, and that would also help to prevent rubbing. The horse has to get used to them, like any new tack. I wouldn't go out for a very long ride immediately, let him get used to wearing them and how they feel.
 
I have only known 1 of 3 step funny to start with and have had no rubs even on lami pony 23/24 in boots.
 
I started with just 20 minutes, or even shorter the very first time, just to gauge weather or not they were going to rub. The Cavallo ones did,even with socks he could not do more than 40 minutes. The Easyboot Gloves are fine though for mine, and boots are OK to sell secondhand if the first ones don't do as well as you hoped.

I did have the gel pads, not sure how much good the Cavallo ones are, they seemed quite slim and hard to me.
 
Thank you, I'm just planning on taking him for a short walk in hand first to see how he copes :) I know it's only been a week tomorrow since his shoes come off but I am already seeing some changes which I hope are positive ones! Will try and do some photos as it would be brilliant to get some advice :)
 
He should be fine straight away but if he is a sensitive sort I'd lunge him in them or let him wear them in the paddock before I rode just to make sure he's happy. My friend's horse bucked for a few minutes until he was used to them, then he was fine.
 
I have cavallos, i use them with pads for comfort. The thick EPS ones at first and now just the cavallo gel ones. They have never rubbed my sensitive thin skinned mare. She did the highstepping walk for a few minutes when she first had them on and then settled but she was quite bouncy the first time i trotted her up in them!
 
6 horses of various shapes/sizes and ages started in boots and only one of them ever had any issues - waved her legs in the air when walking for about 2 minutes (like the first time they wear leg boots of any kind). She's a sensitive little princess thouh.
If he is sound in the field at this time of year I wouldn't expect him to be tender in the boots.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top