hoof boots

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I have just had to order my TB mare some hoof boots. I ordered the Cavallo sport boots (according to size these would be the best suited) As every year around this time when the ground gets hard she starts to striggle a bit on stoney ground, farrier has taken a look and no problems with her feet, its just her! ;) Last year I managed to get around it with using some Keratex but I think the weird weather/constant change in the ground is just causing her to be extra sensitive this year.

My question is, wat kind of work can you do in them i.e. fast work? We cannot jump so thats not a problem but if for example we go on a charity ride which is going to involve a fair bit of fast work but also a fair bit of uneven ground, would the boots hold up to this? We are currently debating a ride around the local resevoir which is around 13 miles of all sorts of ground and I wouldn't want then to be uncomfortable/rub!

With general everyday riding I will try and avoind using them when I know we are going to be doing fast work on the local TROT as there is minimal gravelly ground which I could get around, and also not using them all of the time anyway as I dont want her to start relying on them!

But any advice on the best ways to use them would be great, as you can tell the idea of hoof boots is very new to me!! :o
 
You will just have to try them and see. I did use the cavallo simples for a lot of fast work but for prolonged work (20km fast hacks) they rubbed so I now have easy boot epics. You may find using them for some of your riding, will mean she is ok for other rides without. I don't use them on really muddy ground as the grip isn't as good as her own feet (as you'd expect!) but if its going to be stoney I put them on and they are grand.
 
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I bought cavallos but my haffy hated them, I now only use Gloves and I'm happy to do anything in them.
 
personally didn't have alot of success with cavallos-they are a bit clumpy and my old horse didn't feel confident in them. Easyboot back countries worked for him and I use Old Macs on one of the ponies. Unfortunately you have to try them and see. I do know the Cavallo gaiters have a rep for being rubbish, so might be worth searching on forums to see what people use with those boots instead.
 
Hello, my tb has cavallo simples on her fronts. We haven't done particularly long hacks yet as she is newly barefoot but we've gone over different ground. We've walked and trotted on the roads with no problems, good grip on wet roads too.have gone over really rocky uneven ground with no problems. Through really long grass on uneven ground. Done trotting and some small canters, she does get all her legs mixed up cantering out when she's excited and often steps on herself but the boots haven't budged. The haven't rubbed at all either :) hope this helps.
 
Well she isn't particularly fussy usually so with any luck she wont mind them :)

I was just wondering how long/fast I can ride for in them as if we do go out somewhere new and I am unsure of how the ground is going to be then I would rather have them on but I also dont want them to rub or be uncomfortable for her.... Luckily it is only the summer she struggles when the ground is hard so only needs them in the summer!

I went for a ride around the local forest on Monday, unaware that a lot of the tracks are now gravel (weren't last time I went) and she struggled so much that I felt so guilty afterwards! Her backs are fine, its just the fronts so have only got her a pair for the fronts.
 
From my experience, you can do pretty much anything in them. I use G2s on my girl and have done everything from road hacking to cross-country and long-distance rides in them. A friend uses the Cavellos and accompanies me. Neither of us have ever had issues with rubs or the boots coming off. I don't know how well the Cavellos last in the long run. My G2s have been used hard and not especially well looked after and are still going strong 5 years later. My friend's Cavellos are only six months in and much better cared for, but they're fine at the moment!

ETA: We both use gaiters with them and inserts and, of course, got the horses accustomed to them by degrees. But my experience is that both types have been pretty uncomplicated from the get-go.
 
MotherOfChickens said:
I do know the Cavallo gaiters have a rep for being rubbish, so might be worth searching on forums to see what people use with those boots instead.
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Mens Socks perfect for inside the easyboots just buy big ones and pull them righ over the hoof and fold down by the fetlocks.....also very easy to wash!

I use the cavello easy boots on my big lug of a warmblood for hacking out and he manages canter and easily jumps small logs etc in them.

Vardi proving why he is known as Chavhorse!

myyboots.jpg
 
you do have to build them up a bit-not just go out in them for a couple of hours first off. saying that, I've had absolutely no issues with the back countries rubbing-or the old macs so its just what suits the horse.
 
Well the ones I have ordered cam free with the gaiters and the gel inserts! the TROT next door I can do a short half hour hack around so may be worth using them for that to begin with and then keep increasing the time! Fingers crossed they fit nicely.
Luckily for me is trimmed every 6 weeks due to leg problems and people always comment on how nice and neat her feet are so them growing too much shouldn't be much of an issue!

If I used them everytime I hacked on rough ground (4 times a week min) it wont make her feet get a lot softer/sensitive will it? I dont want to undo the hard work and take us back to square one if that makes sense? :confused:
 
build up the usage in them and I do lots of fast work with my appy and his cavello sports. walk trot canter and gallop and have been on three/ four hours hacks and no rubbing.

I do use these gaiters tho and the ones for the boot are rubbish

http://www.thesaddleryshop.co.uk/P/Boa_Horse_Boot_Old_Macs_Multipurpose_Hoof_Boot_Gaiters-(541).aspx

I have two pair so one can be washed after a muddy ride.

they aren't that great in lots of of mud but an going to try the the ones with studs in for winter work round the farm as might give a bit more grip.
 
Have just changed from cavallos to glove wides and much prefer the gloves.
Cavallos are ok, bit clumpy and always swivelled at anything faster than a trot on my horse.
Gloves are amazing, but fit is critical so it all depends on the shape of the hooves.

If your worried about losing hoof condition, just stick some EPS pads in them, they will help keep the foot stimulated and help with fit if the boots are a touch big.
 
"What kind of work can you do in them?"
"Fast work [and] uneven ground, would the boots hold up to this?"

Our experience is that, provided you get the right fit, they are good for all of this. Cavallo are supporters of the BHS TREC Championships because their boots are considered to be ideal for the endurance aspect of the sport. There are also testimonials on their website from people who use the boots on pretty tough rides.

Liz.
 
Elizabeth Barbour said:
"What kind of work can you do in them?"
"Fast work [and] uneven ground, would the boots hold up to this?"

Our experience is that, provided you get the right fit, they are good for all of this. Cavallo are supporters of the BHS TREC Championships because their boots are considered to be ideal for the endurance aspect of the sport. There are also testimonials on their website from people who use the boots on pretty tough rides.

Liz.
Click to expand...


That is great, exactly the answer I wanted! Thank you Liz :)
 
Boots can rub a bit at first if the horse isn't used to them. My friend discovered a really useful way to stop this is to get hold of some Lanacane medicated powder (Boots have it), and sprinkle the foot and hoof with it before popping into the boot. It is medicated and is designed to stop rubs (in humans ;)). Has the added advantage of making sure that the hoof comes out of the boot at the end of long rides smelling nice :D
 
Brightbay, thank you for that great tip!!! :)

The boots arrived yesterday and I put them on last night. We had a little hissy fit but soon realised they weren't going to eat her feet :rolleyes: Even if she is doing a very over-enthusiastic walk in them!

My question is, how are they supposed to fit around the top? (pastern/fetlock area if that makes sense) They aren't tight at all but where she is pidgeon footed slightly at the front they seemed quite tight in one area on one side, on the LF, on the inside where her hoof slightly turns in?

I know it cant be helped, and other than that they are a perfect fit but is this how they all fit?

Just need her to get used to them now, I am sure it wont take long! She wasn't best impressed last night ;)
 
Generally they shouldn't rub/touch too much around the top. Because the Simples are leather they will soften and mould to shape over time and can be very forgiving of misuse. Do break them in slowly, do use socks or similar to start with and do use a good quality leather softener. The effort will be worth it.
 
Thank you Lucy, I think maybe her confirmation doesn't help but admittedly she was standing rather awkwardly when I tried them on as she found the whole experience a bit weird :)
I got some of the chap things with the boots and also some gel inserts so I will try those both! Luckily I have a trot ride next door so can start doing some short routes on her in them as well as some in hand walks. I did notice the leather was quite soft so thought it may mould a bit once I have started to use them. Will have a trial run tomorrow and see how we get on :)
 
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