Hoof Boots

[Barton Bounty]

I am thinking of using hoof boots since we only hack around. I have a tb with dinkity feet! Think he would be a 2 in cavallos and a 1 in Boa.
Does anyone have any experience they can share? Only ever used a hoof boot once when he lost a shoe ?

 

[meleeka]

Cavallos are easy to use and hard wearing. If there’s any doubt on size contact Hoofbootique who are very helpful. I used to use socks under to prevent rubbing, but current horse has massive feet so socks wont go on.

 

[Barton Bounty]

Cavallos are easy to use and hard wearing. If there’s any doubt on size contact Hoofbootique who are very helpful. I used to use socks under to prevent rubbing, but current horse has massive feet so socks wont go on.

I borrowed a friends cavallo size 3 on the back hoof when he lost a shoe, bb walked like he had big circus legs ?
So I managed to get a brand new pair of size 3! And i tried them on the other day and he is still shod and they were far too big ??

 

[meleeka]

I borrowed a friends cavallo size 3 on the back hoof when he lost a shoe, bb walked like he had big circus legs ?
So I managed to get a brand new pair of size 3! And i tried them on the other day and he is still shod and they were far too big ??

There are many brands that all fit differently so probably worth asking Hoofbootique . I also have Scoot boots and they are a lot less clumpy.

 

[Barton Bounty]

There are many brands that all fit differently so probably worth asking Hoofbootique . I also have Scoot boots and they are a lot less clumpy.

I will, I am just having a peek ?

 

[Fruitcake]

I definitely agree about contacting Hoof Bootique. You can take photos and measurements and send them to them and they’re great at offering suggestions about fit. Different brands are suited to different hoof shapes. It’s also worth taking into account that, if the shoes have only recently come off, there’s likely to be a change in size and shape as the feet settle, and so the first boots you get might not fit after six months to a year or so.

 

[Barton Bounty]

I definitely agree about contacting Hoof Bootique. You can take photos and measurements and send them to them and they’re great at offering suggestions about fit. Different brands are suited to different hoof shapes. It’s also worth taking into account that, if the shoes have only recently come off, there’s likely to be a change in size and shape as the feet settle, and so the first boots you get might not fit after six months to a year or so.

Perfect! Thank you ?

 

[GoldenWillow]

Buy secondhand if you can! There are some fb groups selling secondhand and also ebay, some are asking close to new prices but there are some reasonably priced ones come up.

 

[Barton Bounty]

Ill get my friend to look on fb im not on it, ? thank you

 

[Britestar]

I have some in every size from 1 to 5, cavallos.
Useful for the no shoe briagade if we're doing a lot of road work and they get a bit sore.
Also the shod gang if they loose a shoe they can carry on working until farrier gets here again.
Easy to put on, always pretty secure and none seem to object.
All bought 2nd hand of ebay or fb.

 

[Highmileagecob]

Tried almost every brand available when my lad was a bit footy, and kept coming back to Cavallo. The sole is often a perfect match, but the rest of the boot is a bit oversized - use a size 1 baby's nappy as a sock, but stay out of water!

 

[Barton Bounty]

Tried almost every brand available when my lad was a bit footy, and kept coming back to Cavallo. The sole is often a perfect match, but the rest of the boot is a bit oversized - use a size 1 baby's nappy as a sock, but stay out of water!

??i can imagine, ?

 

[paddy555]

the only boots I would use for a TB are renegades or gloves. They usually have pretty dainty feet and I can't see that more clumpy boots would be suitable. (I expect many will contradict me)

I wouldn't use scoots because the sole of the boot is pretty thin and flexible which may not give enough protection on stones unless the horse has thick soles and conditioned feet. Also I have had serious bleeding from the rigid backs.

As for boas then the most important thing with hoof boots is that the horse has grip. I have never been so terrified riding at a walk on smooth grass as I was on a horse in boas.

I also never buy boot secondhand unless they are replacements. Sizing/fit are the most important things. I always buy new and get 3 sizes (never fit kits) to get the best fit. Costs more but I don't then have the problem of trying to sell them and find some more.

 

[Barton Bounty]

the only boots I would use for a TB are renegades or gloves. They usually have pretty dainty feet and I can't see that more clumpy boots would be suitable. (I expect many will contradict me)

I wouldn't use scoots because the sole of the boot is pretty thin and flexible which may not give enough protection on stones unless the horse has thick soles and conditioned feet. Also I have had serious bleeding from the rigid backs.

As for boas then the most important thing with hoof boots is that the horse has grip. I have never been so terrified riding at a walk on smooth grass as I was on a horse in boas.

I also never buy boot secondhand unless they are replacements. Sizing/fit are the most important things. I always buy new and get 3 sizes (never fit kits) to get the best fit. Costs more but I don't then have the problem of trying to sell them and find some more.

Good shout, might just get size 2 and see where we go from there ? ill just pop my size 3s on ebay, since they are brand new

 

[daydreamer]

I've just bought my first pair of hoof boots. I got a fit kit and then loads of help and advice from the hoofboutique, they must have looked at hundreds of my photos and videos! Looking at the secondhand hoof boot groups on Facebook it looks like there are loads of Cavallos and Scoot boots available - I'm not sure if this is because more people buy them in the first place or if more of the people who buy them find they are unsuitable.

 

[criso]

I used fusion jogging shoes. When I first took the shoes off my tb, his feet were changing, My trimmer lent me easyboot epics but he outgrew these quickly. Got some gloves but they didn't work for long. The fusions were forgiving fit wise and came up big.

He has one bigger foot so I ended up buying 2 pairs secondhand but the smaller pair fitted both so I sold the bigger size on.

Now his feet are stable, I've got renegades. I call them his Cinderella boots as they were secondhand and a mismatched pair but suit his mismatched feet.

 

[Gloi]

I am thinking of using hoof boots since we only hack around. I have a tb with dinkity feet! Think he would be a 2 in cavallos and a 1 in Boa.
Does anyone have any experience they can share? Only ever used a hoof boot once when he lost a shoe ?

I hate Boa boots. They rubbed if not adjusted exactly tight enough, snapped cables regularly and were lethally slippery on grass.
I use Scoot boots these days which re good if the hoof is the right shape for them .

 

[paddy555]

I hate Boa boots. They rubbed if not adjusted exactly tight enough, snapped cables regularly and were lethally slippery on grass.
.

 

[Barton Bounty]

I hate Boa boots. They rubbed if not adjusted exactly tight enough, snapped cables regularly and were lethally slippery on grass.
I use Scoot boots these days which re good if the hoof is the right shape for them .

Yeah, it didnt take long for them to rub BB!
Now got scoot boots!

 

[Iloveeverycat]

if you go for cavallo trek are better if your horse is finer boned as the top is more adjustable .

my horse is between a size 2 and 3, 3 fits when she’s closer to needing a trim but when she’s freshly trimmed I use foam pads made out of yoga mat type material (I use the interlocking kids play mat type things ) to stop them spinning or coming off . I don’t like cavallos own pads as even though the boots fit with them on (they don’t spin when I try to move them) they always slip about and move which means the boots end up rotating or falling off

 

[Barton Bounty]

if you go for cavallo trek are better if your horse is finer boned as the top is more adjustable .

my horse is between a size 2 and 3, 3 fits when she’s closer to needing a trim but when she’s freshly trimmed I use foam pads made out of yoga mat type material (I use the interlocking kids play mat type things ) to stop them spinning or coming off . I don’t like cavallos own pads as even though the boots fit with them on (they don’t spin when I try to move them) they always slip about and move which means the boots end up rotating or falling off

Thank you for the tips. i think treks will fit him on the front better and I have scoots on the back. But will wait till spring to do the fronts i think

 

[Landcruiser]

I love cavallos as an every day boot. My lad wears Trek on the fronts and sports on his hinds - so easy to put on and off and never had a problem with rubbing or coming off, even in our deep sucking clay here. He has masses of bone, chunky fetlocks, which suits the fit of cavallos. For faster work, renegade vipers are great. I didn't get on with scoots at all, the heels rubbed him, and they also fell off easily.

 

[Barton Bounty]

I love cavallos as an every day boot. My lad wears Trek on the fronts and sports on his hinds - so easy to put on and off and never had a problem with rubbing or coming off, even in our deep sucking clay here. He has masses of bone, chunky fetlocks, which suits the fit of cavallos. For faster work, renegade vipers are great. I didn't get on with scoots at all, the heels rubbed him, and they also fell off easily.

Its Only scoots that dont rub mine ? this is only for the back. Front hooves are a completely different shape so cavallos might work there in the spring

 

[lynz88]

Flex work great on my TB. I tried a fit kit with Cavallo's and they were too big and clunky for him. The only complaint I have so far is that I've lost a knob thingy but they are £5 for a pack (and perfect excuse to buy the reflector gaitors now as I hate to have to buy 1 cheapie item only)

 

[tyner]

If you're still looking, Flex boots are another good option and don't rub at all, and there's no breaking in time. There was a bit of a break in time with the Cavellos for my fine boned TB. But I just put regular socks on him and it didn't take long at all.

I don't find the Flex boots as hard wearing as the Cavellos, and they've come off in high grass (nearly impossible to find in there). But they are easy to clean, lightweight and all the pieces are replaceable. Cool color options as well.

I think they are both excellent boots but I like them each for different reasons. If I was doing hard roadwork I'd use the Cavellos for the thicker sole and impact protection. The durability of the Cavellos is awesome, they will last, and you can replace the straps if you need too.

My dinky TB wears a 2slim in the Cavellos in the front and a 120 in the Flex in case that helps with the sizing.

 

[Reacher]

Did you get boots OP?

My (now retired ) TB wore cavallo simples on front, sports on the back feet. (She has very round front feet).

My welshxarab wears treks.
They are great for hacking, easy to put on and forgiving fit. But not so good for longer distances, plus if you ride trough water I wonder if they then feel strange. Also they are a bit of a pain to clean then take ages to dry out especially in winter. (One of my rides involves wading through cow shite so they need cleaning thoroughly!)

 

[Barton Bounty]

I have been using scoots on back size 2 and they seem to be fine , his front feet are really round and small and backs are not ? but they are still small. Thats about 13/14 weeks hes had back shoes off now and he was shod on front and trimmed on rear 10 days ago , farrier said the feet are coming along nicely now, can see the hoof wall increasing but I wont do fronts till spring or summer, as he has taken a long time to get used to just backs off, dont want him hobbling like an old man ?

 

[meleeka]

Of course is does depend on why he needs shoes in the first place, but summer is possibly not the best time as the ground will be hard. I did it in winter and the soft ground really helped my horse to adjust. He came in at night and out in the day.

 

[Barton Bounty]

Of course is does depend on why he needs shoes in the first place, but summer is possibly not the best time as the ground will be hard. I did it in winter and the soft ground really helped my horse to adjust. He came in at night and out in the day.

He was always shot all round, we tried before to remove the backs but it didnt work the ground was too stony. So this is us trying again 6 years later , now I have moved yards and there is less stones. But he does have very small flat feet

 

[suestowford]

I got some Cavallo Treks 2nd hand on ebay, for a pony who had to have his shoes off last winter. I wanted to walk him out in hand (he's old) hence the boots. I was glad I'd bought 2nd hand as they were nicely worn in and soft. Also they came with some of the neoprene pastern wraps which prevent any rubbing.
We have been out walking a lot this year and the boots have never twisted or come off, nor have they rubbed his heels. Even when he forgot how old he was and pranced about like a twit