Hoof boots. Recommendations?

[maya2008]

Hooves are longer than they are wide, for stony paths and long hacks. Something reliable, not too bothered about cost so long as they do the job. Something easy - I don’t want to faff for ever, just to pop them on and go.

 

[spacefaer]

I think I might be about to go down this route myself. I've been looking at two websites which seem to be the go-tos - Urban Horse and the Hoof Bootique. They're very informative

 

[HappyHollyDays]

Scoot slims or Cavallo Trek slims are equally simple to put on and take off and will stand up to stony tracks. The Cavallos are more clumpy than the Scoots but whereas I had Scoots which rubbed slightly the Cavallos haven’t.

 

[Red-1]

I found Scoots dug in at the back and Cavallos rubbed. I like the Flex boots, unless it is wet grass/mud whereupon they are akin to roller skates

I also like Easyboot Gloves, but only the older, flexible gaiters.

 

[MuddyMonster]

Whichever fit the best! Take measurements & send pictures to Hoof Bootique or Urban Horse & they can advise and/or you can trial hoof fit kits.

I want very different boots to the one's that fit mine the best as he has awkward sized feet

As it is, we've been in Cavallo Treks for years and only ever lost one - we ride on a mix of heathland, forestry and downs with many a stony track.

 

[Roxylola]

Scoots have been pretty easy to put on. It's worth taking some measurement photos and sending them to urban horse as they'll recommend brands and sizes for you. Very helpful responses

 

[millikins]

The Shetland X driving pony had Equine fusions which were great, easy to put on and never rubbed, the Connie had Easiboot New Trails, good boot. didn't rub and rarely came off but a PITA to put on especially in cold weather, the Dales has scoots, which fit and don't come off but I don't think have the grip of the others, she's currently shod though. I'd advise as above, send your measurements in and discuss with either of those sellers.

 

[Nasicus]

Hoof Bootique are very helpful! I sent the photos they needed and they provided their recommendations. I'm actually waiting for the Shell Fit Kit I ordered to arrive, so I can try their recommended sizes before I buy.
For mine they're recommended Cavallos or Scoots. I have a pair of Cav Treks which I used for two previous horses, too big for current pony, but they were easypeasy to put on and never came off. I do also have a pair of Equine Fusion Jogging shoes, my first foray into hoof boots long ago, didn't get on with them as found them faffy to put on with the pull tab. They were also the wrong size/shape for my mare at the time, as they were forever swivelling around, but I know better now

 

[SantaVera]

Hooves are longer than they are wide, for stony paths and long hacks. Something reliable, not too bothered about cost so long as they do the job. Something easy - I don’t want to faff for ever, just to pop them on and go.

Scoot boots

 

[Taliesan]

The best boots are the ones that fit your horse.

I find that the heel bulb capsules at the back of Scoots don't fit many horses well (you can change the shape with a heat gun but this will void the warranty on them) so they do cause rubs. I also found that getting them on with cold fingers was rather unpleasant.

Personally I love Explora Magic boots and they fit both of my horses well. I have used Equine Fusions on one of mine in the past and, although not as sporty as the Exploras, they fitted him well, never rubbed and he confidently marched across all terrain in them. He doesn't move any differently in the Exploras to the Equine Fusions so the 'clumpiness' of the EFs clearly didn't bother him.

I go the Hoof Boot Shop to come out and fit mine as they bring the fit kits with them on the day as well as the boots they suspect will be the size for your horse so you can purchase them at the fitting.

 

[Polos Mum]

Fit is really key, for the job you want most would do.

Cavallo are a common starter boot - more forgiving on fit than some but a touch clumpy. The good news is because people move on from Cavallo you can pick up second hand ones really quite cheaply to try for use and fit. I bought a pair for £40 that lasted ages while I tested them and I keep for the odd abscess poultice boot - almost as cheap as the fit kits !

I think the trec slim would be worth a try

Even better ask around and see if anyone local / your farrier etc. has any you could try

 

[ycbm]

My go to is renegades because they are the only boot where the only moving part is a wire which doesn't actually touch the horse. All other boots have something which can rub on them.

They are very fiddly to set up if they aren't right straight out of the box, but you only have to do it once.

 

[Zoeypxo]

I love my cavallo trek slims for my warmblood.

 

[maya2008]

Thanks all, really helpful. Will investigate the places where you send measurements and they recommend.

 

[Widgeon]

Scoot slims or Cavallo Trek slims are equally simple to put on and take off and will stand up to stony tracks. The Cavallos are more clumpy than the Scoots but whereas I had Scoots which rubbed slightly the Cavallos haven’t.

My horse has long-than-wide hinds and he's in Scoot slims. He has pads in to raise his feet up a bit and keep the back bars of the shoe away from the back of his pastern. I've also padded the bars out with foam tape, then put the gaiters on over that and gaffer taped them at the bottom so they can't come off. Bit of a faff but it does mean they don't rub.

 

[Widgeon]

I found Urban Horse to be absolutely excellent with giving advice, looking at measurements and photos etc. They respond very quickly too (unlike Hoof Boutique, who were also lovely but took an age to reply to emails).

 

[Eventing2022]

Urban Horse are fabulous. Mine is in Easyboot Sneakers and has the same shape hooves as you

 

[fruit_fly]

Wanted renegades or explora magics, but scoots were the ones that actually fitted and have been great. Don't move, don't rub even though they look like they might, we've done mud, steep hills and cantering on grass no problems. Drawn blood (mine) doing them up but they are stretching and there's a trick with a hoof pick that speeds things up. And no velcro to ruin

 

[Caol Ila]

Both my horses are in Renegade Vipers. Fin because we went through the whole fit kit faff, and they were the best ones, and Hermosa because I like them (and now have lots of spare parts for them), so I measured her feet, bought some and hoped for the best. Both horses have quite round front feet, though.

I had my old horse in Scoots when I transitioned her from shod to barefoot with the hind feet. They were fine for what I was doing with them, but if I used them all the time or went any distance with them, the plastic around the heel bulbs would make her uncomfortable.

If you have no idea, using a fit kit is the best option. Then the Hoof Boutique or Urban Horse can narrow it down for you based in the fit kit/measurements, and you can decide which one you prefer.

 

[GoldenWillow]

I needed something that would fit pony and be easy to put on and off. Cavallo's worked well but are a bit clumpy (although never caused any problems) and weren't great with muddy feather. I was recommended to try Scoots and they've been great. I was originally concerned about the back strap and rubs as there doesn't appear to be enough room but it has never rubbed even in mud or deep sand. I use a hoof pick to put them on and even with my problems with my hands can manage them easily most of the time.

 

[Peglo]

Definitely send measurements unless you want to go for the cavellos/old Mac types. They are more forgiving size wise but clumpier.

I wanted a neater boot for mine and wanted scoots but after getting some shells to try and sending pictures to hoof boutique they weren’t going to work. I definitely needed her input to know this so it’s worthwhile speaking to one of the above company’s.
I ended up with easyboot gloves. I find them annoying to put on but they work well for my horse.

 

[Hollylee1989]

I used the hoof boot shop, she came out and took the measurements the day after a trim. Equine fusions personally were the best fit, and they haven't rubbed.

 

[Suechoccy]

I use Hoof Boutique. Send them photos and measurements (their website tells you what photos are needed) and details about your horse and what activities you do. They can hire boots for you to try, they can supply fitting kits so that you can try out a range of different sizes, and they sometimes have used boots for sale as well as new ones.
I ended up with Renegade Vipers. They are durable for roadwork. Important to keep hooves trimmed to size (take photos after a trim, not 6 weeks after a trim) so you'll need to keep on top of hoof growth in-between your 6-week official trims, otherwise boots won't fit.

Occasionally I've thrown a Viper from a front foot in canter where hind foot has struck it.

No rubs. Fiddly velcro straps.

Important tip: when securing hoof boots to hooves, stand alongside your horse and wear a hat. Avoid standing in front of your horse's chest and crouching down as if he raises a foreleg, his knee will hit you in the face, either knocking you out or knocking your teeth out.