Hoof boots

[Pookies]

Hi, my horse is barefoot behind but he is now on a stoney yard. Are there any boots that can be used for riding/turnout/poultice? Or am I looking for something that doesn't exist? He's currently recovering from a hoof abscess so just need something to turn him out in to keep in clean, for when it doesn't actually require bandaging. But it would be good if I could also ride him in it (obvs I'd get a pair!) and use for turnout (not sure they'd be suitable for everyday use?)
Many thanks

 

[tallyho!]

There are so many boots on the market - take your pick!

Just google hoofboots.

I use boos for general riding instead of shoes and use equine fusion.

 

[spookypony]

Speak to Liz Hapgood of the Hoofbootique for advice; there are lots of different models that suit different hoof shapes and different types of use.

When my mare has had abscesses, I've not bothered with hoof protection after poulticing was done, even in mud, and haven't had problems...but those have been quite minor abscesses. I know there are ones you can use for turnout.

As for hacking, it depends, as I said, on hoof shape, and on what sort of performance you are looking for. Currently, the most popular models for high-spec performance are Renegades, Renegade Vipers, Easyboot Gloves, and Scoot Boots are starting to make inroads. There are lots of other varieties of Easyboot, and then there are boots like Equine Fusion (which tallyho! mentioned), which are pretty popular if your needs aren't as extreme.

 

[paddy555]

boots for riding fit tightly. They need to to stay on at speed. They could also be used for turnout. A boot to put a poultice in will need to be larger to accommodate the poultice. I use an old mac to poultice in that is a couple of sizes larger than he would need for riding. I could leave it on around the yard and probably in a small field where he didn't charge around. If he started running it would come off.

 

[ester]

A point to note having recently had an abscess and now a hole in the sole is that a lot of the boots for riding come with drainage holes, I was unsure whether to glue these up or not.
Although really not meant for turnout his easyboot gloves actually were the best for not rubbing (he had them on for 8 days straight with a plastic bag on top for turnout while poulticing) and not being too clumpy once the ground was dry. Started off in a cavallo simple with a plastic bag inside (does get a bit sweaty) graduated to a waterproof sock and cavallo sport (I didn't think lugging the simple round was helping his leg swelling and it was a bit wide on him), latterly acquired some microfibre fabric that I was going to see if I could make a bespoke covering for under the boot as I couldn't get the waterproof sock over his heels and they had started to rub a bit too but didn't actually get round to needing it as it's dry so hole just filled with putty and booted for riding. None of those boots have come off in the field but the plastic bag was failing on the outside of the easyboot when he started to move around more, hence wanting something I could put it on the inside of.

I think the main issue when using them for turnout is rubbing, particularly the heel bulbs, using socks often helps that though depending on if the fit allows them.

Hind feet will likely be longer than they are wide, it is best if you can take some photos, including a ruler and send them to the nice people we now have in the hoof boot shops. - hoofbootique/cannock chase/equine podiatry supplies - and more!