Hoof Boots..Where do I start?

blackhor2e

blackhor2e

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Hello,

I was hoping to get a bit of advice in regards to hoof boots for my horse.

Just a little history about us. My mare (a 16.1 w/b) was diagnosed with Navicular on her right fore last year, as it was in the early stages the vet was quite positive that she will still have a useful life.

The vet initially suggested heart bar shoes, but after doing alot of research about Navicular I decided that I would like to try barefoot, and six months down the line the vet is really really pleased with her progress as am I.

I have started hacking with her and would l really like to get some hoof boots for some of the rocky and stony bridleways around our area. Her feet are in very good condition, and are regularly trimmed.

However, I do have the following questions, and if anyone can shed any light on them I would be most grateful.

1. Which hoof boots can I use for roads / bridleways?
2. Where on the hoof do I need to measure?
3. Will I need to get her some hoof gel pads for the inside of the boot?
4. Do horse's find it hard to adjust to wearing these boots?


If anyone can answer any of my questions,I would be eternally grateful :-)
 
The hoof boutique and the saddlery shop have very detailed help sections on choosing, measuring, sizing and fitting various hoof boot. The key is to choose boots that fit the shape of your horses feet the best, not the ones you fancy the look of (I have made this expensive mistake!!). Both these websites have very experienced people who will be able to help you.
 
I bought cavallo simple boots and 4lb eps pads for mine from equine podiatry supplies. The lady there was very helpfull, there are diagrams to show you where to measure. my horse was fine as soon as they went on, no adjustment needed!
 
I found the saddlery shop website very helpful when I was looking at boots. And LucyPriory on here was very helpful too. There is good advice on the Phoenix forum too, and they have a thread where you can buy second hand boots or swap them.

I now have Cavallo Simples with EPS pads and I'm really pleased with them. My mare wears them for hacking out now but in the early days wore them for turnout in our sand area and schooling. They have never rubbed, have given good grip and fab comfort, she moves brilliantly in them too.
 
Oberon said:
Does she need hoof boots?
Click to expand...

Hi Oberon, I think she does although she is quite sound on surfaces, I took her on a hack about two weeks ago and she started limping very slightly when I got her home, it was a very small tarmac chipping which had started to wedge up a little fissure sized crack in her hoof. I managed to get it out with lots of poking and prodding.

I just think the hoof boots would prevent a problem like this and help on bridleways where larger rocks might be more of a struggle for her as we haven't explored there before. :)
 
Hi there,

Cavallo hoof boots are good for bridleways and stony tracks. The Simple boots are best for round hooves and Sport for more oval shaped ones.

You measure length from toe to buttress line (a width measurement is a useful check as well).

The horses adjust really quickly but in your case I would use the gel pads for extra cushioning.

Liz :)
 
Hi,
Just wanted to offer my bit of advice (not that I know much...) It might be worth looking at this http://rockleyfarm.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/red-history-or-all-about-bar-shoes.html
If you look at the comments they will hopefully explain ... I over used boots when my TB was transitioning and let her hooves get too long. She ended up going to Rockley (where she is now) as I couldn't understand why she wasn't coming sounder.

Hoof boots can be good but don't overdo it ! I thought my mare needed them after one dose of footiness but it can be hard to know when to stop.
 
As you are still fairly early days, I would go for secondhand as the hooves will almost certainly change a great deal still. I have a pair of cavallo simples which I use occasionally when needed but this is getting less and less often now. The cavallo is a very sympathetic fit, my chap has a big medial deviation on his off-fore (the navicular foot) and they still work for him. However, I find that the more my chap does barefoot the better he gets (built up slowly and gradually of course!)

Also, bear in mind that, if you are using boots, your horse will have less opportunity to self trim. This will have knock on consequence as you will then have no choice to trim. You will want a really good person working with you to listen to the horse in that respect.

Boots are great, they are a good tool to have but don't be afraid to try things without them. You can always stick them in a backpack and pop them on if you need to rather than put them on from the start.
 
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