Hoof boots?

[Sol]

I've been thinking of getting some hoof boots for Dante, just for his front feet and only for hacking. The farrier says he has very good/hard feet, but when hacking it seems he must drag his front feet at times or something, as he often scuffs them oddly which doesn't do them much good. Back feet are fine. He's never unsound/footsore, they just end up looking a bit of a mess!

Anyone with any experience of them have any tips? Not sure which are best/how much they are/if I can buy 2nd hand safely etc etc etc.... help!

Sol x

 

[doonrocket]

Used Cavallos for about a year. All round on one horse who is just a quiet hack on the road, on the backs of my youngster who I am trying to put off the fullshoe experience for a while.
they have been very good, although I wouldn't use them on sand or cantering on wet grass.
a problem I had with my youngster was twisting where he dishes on his front feet, as the plastic soles give more traction on tarmac.

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

old macs

 

[chestnutmarelover]

Old Macs (G1) for wide feet. I picked up a 'worn once' pair for £18 on ebay, was chuffed to bits as they are £144 new if you can even get hold of the G1's!!! Had same problem with twisting tho as my mare dishes with one front. Highly recommend if horse has 'normal' gait. Have now gone back to shoes on front tho as got fed up cleaning them after every ride in muddy conditions then if weather crap they take ages to dry.

 

[missyme10]

I've got cavallo sports boots, find them really good and have had no twisting problems as they are designed slightly narrower.

I much prefer to shodding as none of my ponies needs shoes apart from when hacking on rough and stoney terrain and they feel it a bit on their fronts.

They also last ages, work out much more economical than shodding which I wasn't expecting, I do wonder just how much road work would have to be done to wear them out