Hoof Boots

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OakleyEarth

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Hi,

My horse - a 16.2 WB - has been without shoes since the end of last summer (he'd gotten to a point where he had pulled the shoes off so much over a 3 year period that he had no hoof left no nail a shoe on to!)

He's coped really well, feet have grown beautifully and my farrier is really pleased. His soles are hard as nails and occasionally gets footsore if the ground changes but is generally much better of without them.

With summer coming I am looking to get him some hoofboots to help cope with larger amounts of roadwork.. he wont be doing loads, maybe 4-5 miles per week ish but think they could be a good investment. I guess I have three main questions:

1. Are boots necessary for horses doing light to medium roadwork or have people found their horses have coped without?
2. Can you just put them on the fronts or do you need them on all four feet
3. Any brands that people could recommend?

P.s he isn't on any foot supplements / using any hoof products like cornucresine currently

Thanks :D
 
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If he has good hard feet then he should be ok without any boots doing such a small amount of road work especially if you build it up gradually. If not, then boots are brilliant imo :)

Ben wears Cavallo's he is quite sugar sensetive and out on grass 24/7 so I have to use them on the fronts to make him comfortable.

There are many makes to suit different shaped feet; Easycare are a good place to start. Cavallo's are a great price, have a look on ebay.

Once your horse has had a fresh trim, measure up, then chose the ones to suit his hooves and your budget!
 
Hi i bought easyboot trails for my mare last summer but o be honest we have hardly used them as her feet have been good. Just start a little at a time and he should be fine. But if you find you do need boots i recomend these ones they are easy to put on, stay and seem comfy.
 
I do a fair bit of roadwork and if i feel shes getting a bit footy or her hooves havent grown enough to withstand the amount of roadwork i'm doing then i'll boot up. I dont always put boots on the back because she's 100% on the backs (unless theyre worn a bit low) so will only boot the front. Ive got my old pair of old macs which i will use if we're staying local or only doing 2-2.5 hr ride (in walk, trot and bit of canter) but if i'm going further with lots of stones, jumps and more open fields i'll put my gloves on because theyre not as clumpy and she prefers them when cantering, galloping and jumping.
 
Another vote for Cavallos here. Cheap and cheerful! I bought mine second hand because I didnt know if I would like them.

I was out at the weekend with them tied to the saddle and we did most of the hack bootless then I popped them on nearer the end when I felt he was getting slightly footy. I hope to be able to do away with them completely but they are handy to have.
:D
 
I like the easyboot glove. But for road work, i'd see how your horse gets on without boots, the roadwork will help to harden his feet a little. I do a lot of road work with my lad and it's really helped him develop rock crunching feet.
 
Healthy hooves can cope with 10 - 15 miles of any surface every day. The more work you do, the more tissue your horse creates. You will literally wear out your backside before you wear out the horse's hooves.

However - for hooves to be that healthy, the diet and hoof care has to be 'just so'.

If there is a problem, then the horse will wear more tissue than he puts down or he will be footy and sore.

Some horses have had long term hoof pathology and reduced circulation that can never be reversed.

Hoof boots are a great alternative to shoes that can provide all the protection and comfort of shoes and pads, without the problem of having something permanently attached.

You can have front boots only - but if the horse is sore in front, he may well be sore behind too. You will have to assess that yourself.

Cavellos and Easyboot Gloves are popular. There are all sorts of tricks you can employ to make them work for you.
I am no expert on boots, but you may get more experienced help from here
http://phoenixhorse.myfastforum.org/index.php?sid=aef674bec72d73a590928efbdc336097.
 
Make sure horse is getting a full supply of vitamins, minerals and micronised linseed meal.
Most bare-footers feed non molassed s/beet pulp to carry minerals, Fast Fibre is a popular alternative, with some extra magnesium and maybe other supplements.
The main thing is to build up fitness steadily, I find 20 minutes on tarmac per day is ideal
 
Cavallo's are really 'simple' to put on. Just velcro and front-loading, either with the Simple or the Sport versions. No problem just on front feet - I think most people use them this way
 
I've recently started using a pair of Cavallo Simple Hoof Boots on my mare's hinds (she's remedially shod in-front). I can certainly recommend them as being quick and simple to fit. So much easier than any of the other hoof boots I've tried in the past. My mare is super thin skinned and they did rub slightly in the beginning just above the coronet towards the back. I followed advice and covered her hoof and pastern with a pair of men's socks before fitting the boots. Most people find this works well, but mine were still rubbing very slightly. Then someone on here recommended using a felt and foam bandage pad (http://www.thesaddleryshop.co.uk/P/Felt_Foam_Pad_18_x_18-(659).aspx) cut to fit and provide protection inside the boot where it was rubbing. Brilliant! My mare has been able to continue wearing the boots in without risking further discomfort. I put on the sock first, then fit the Cavallo boot with the bandage padding inside so it pokes up to cover her lower pastern. It honestly takes 30 seconds per foot and the padding doesn't move as it's tucked in under the hoof.

Cavallo do pastern wraps for their boots (http://www.thesaddleryshop.co.uk/P/...on_Gel_Pad_for_Cavallo_Hoof_Boots-(2165).aspx) but I've heard they're not much cop. These are more highly recommended for use with the Cavallo boots (http://www.thesaddleryshop.co.uk/P/Boa_Horse_Boot_Old_Macs_Multipurpose_Hoof_Boot_Gaiters-(541).aspx) - the Easycare gaiters. I do have a pair but so far haven't used them as the bandage padding is working so well so far.
 
Glad the padding is working for you, it was just one of my random ideas, but it does do the job, I find it wears a bit thin after while so I just replace it with a new bit!
 
pines of rome said:
Glad the padding is working for you, it was just one of my random ideas, but it does do the job, I find it wears a bit thin after while so I just replace it with a new bit!
Click to expand...

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Hey it's brilliant! I bought a large pad and have only used a small section from one end cut into two, so for £2.60 it's been an absolute bargain! Couldn't be more pleased with the idea - so, a HUGE thanks!
 
The Cavallo boots are by far the best boots I have tried. Easyboots were so finicky and difficult to use. If you are looking for a simple , durable and secure boot they are definitely my recommendation. I find that my horses are comfortable with just boots on their front hooves and they have made a world of difference in how my horse's travel. No more sore soles or picking their way to the softest part of the trails, we can ride anywhere without worry and have never lost a boot!
 
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