Hoof boots

[Eceni]

Anybody here have barefoot horse/pony and use hoof boots occasionally? I have a pony (never shod) who's coming into work and has a bruised sole on one side. I'll rest her now, but want to use hoof boots later on and wondered if anyone had thoughts as to which ones were good/bad (and why)?

many thanks

E

 

[RachelB]

My YO has tried all sorts of boot on her horse (dressage horse who moved much better unshod, but gets sore when she hacks once a week). She has the Marquis boots at the mo and seems to really like them, and so does the horse. The inside inflates to fit perfectly to your horse's foot and not let any mud in. Plus you can have them on trial.

 

[johnsongreyhorse]

I use Boa boots for my barefoot horse, have never rubbed and am very pleased with them, only thing is that he was on the borderline between sizes and after getting the smaller size (2)had to get the larger one(3) as couldn't get the 2 on, also when you first put them on and tighten them walk the horse a few steps and you will be able to tighen further (obviously not too much!) hope that helps

 

[Eceni]

Thank you - the various barefoot sites seem to vote for BOA or the Easyboot Bare with the gaiter, so my try both out and see....

many thanks

E

 

[brightmount]

I use Old Macs, as recommended by my EP, and they are very easy to use. In fact I'm surprised you found BOAs and Bares to be more popular on the barefoot sites, as it has always seemed to me that Old Macs are most recommended.

 

[Eceni]

Looked at two or three sites which said that BOAs and Easycare don't rub and the other ones do - not your experience?

E

 

[JaneSteventon]

I have boas and find them great, but don't have to use them now my horses feet have hardened up, but still handy to have just in case I suppose.

 

[Peanot]

I use the Equiboot and cut the back down so they are not up the top of the heel and to prevent rubbing. I ride in this one. It stays on and is light. Whereas I also bought the easyboot epic with the gaiter, (to turn her out) and when I fetched her in, it had been wet and it was soaking and very heavy. I find the normal boot much lighter.

 

[Eceni]

This may seem a strange question, but why turn out in the boots? Reading the literature on their website, they're designed for riding and not for turn-out and specifically say they're not to be on for more than 24 hours at a time...?

just curious to know why a barefoot horse would need boots on turnout

E

 

[Peanot]

I bought them because I had to keep her frog and heel dry as she had a crack which would go soft and split more in the wet. So I put cotton wool for padding over the heel and then vetrap, then duct tape, then the boot. I tried poultice boots but they would come off or split then come off. I found the equiboot-easyboot ideal for turning her out in. She only had it on for about 5-6 hours whilst turned out. It didn`t rub and did the job perfectly. Oh, and she is shod, another reason why this boot was better than any other, as a lot of them aren`t meant for shoes, ie the old macs and Boa.

 

[Triskar]

I use Old Macs - they can rub when you first start to use them (like wearing new shoes without socks!) but they supply them with neoprene gaiters that prevent rubbing. My horse is used to wearing them in front and doesn't wear the gaiters, although when we go on holiday so are doing 18 - 20 miles a day for 4 or 5 days in a row, I buy Primark men's socks (very cheap!) and put socks on under his 'trainers' - and we have no rubbing at all. Old Mac's take seconds to put on and remove.

Incidentally, if you have to poultice a foot, an man's sock under an Old Mac's boot keeps the poultice perfectly in place - whether you use a bran poultice or an animalintex - then when recovering, use a mouse mat inside the boot to cushion the sole (as recommended by a TB with a punctured sole!)