Hoof boots

[irishredwood]

My cobs front hooves are cracking despite being regularly trimmed, she is barefoot. Just wondering if hoof boots might be a good investment. Any recommendations please and pros and cons.

 

[ponynutz]

Pros -
- Protection and works out cheaper than shoes
- Also protects against hot floors
- Can get anti-slip protection/grip too

Cons -
- Don't do well with arena surfaces or sandy beaches as just like any boots particles can get caught quickly
- Need some extra padding if want to be worn 24/7

I've never used them but know people who do/have and really liked using them. The pros nearly always outweighed the cons.

 

[Peglo]

Mine was chipping her feet doing road work. I wanted to keep her barefoot so got boots.

pros
i can keep her barefoot
No worry about kicking other ponies with shoes on.
don’t have to worry about losing shoes/loose shoes.
they stop the chipping on the road
Should save money in the long run
I find them less slippy than barefoot on tarmac

cons
Pain having to put on/off (added time to put them on)
Double checking I still have 4 boots after a canter (so far so good)
Having to clean them after a ride

 

[Peglo]

I’ve had mine on the beach with them and in the sea and they get on fine. Although I have heard the sand can cause rubbing if the boots fill and you hack for an hour or 2 after so something I keep in mind.

for short rides with little road work, riding in an arena or on grass I don’t put them on.

 

[cauda equina]

I think a lot of hooves which don't usually crack are cracking now with the dry weather and hard ground; if your cob's feet are usually good it might just be a temporary thing
Having said that I love my hoof boots (Scoots for one, Cavallos for the other) and find them no faff at all

 

[webble]

I agree that hooves in general are cracking at the moment.

I have scoot boots and find them great for most things. I have used cavallo in the past and they were more forgiving fit wise but would easily get lost in deep water and mud.

My horse has a very dishy action behind and the scoots do twist sometimes doing steep hill work

 

[awelshandawarmblood]

I've got my Warmblood in Scoots and my Section D in Flex. Can't think of anything negative bar the time it takes putting them on but I have got quicker over the years.

My farriers taught me how to bevel their toes back between trims ever so slightly to stop them getting too long/flaring/snapping in the summer and when it's super dry.

I don't boot if riding on grass or in the school on a surface, I only boot on tarmac and stones.

 

[lynz88]

Pros
- my horse is far more comfortable in front than without (we have arthritis in LF and LH but only have boots for the fronts atm)
- immediate change from toe-heel landing to heel-toe landing
- have seen major changes in the foot shape and angle since using
- quick and easy to get on and do up once you know how (I have the flex)
- horse really likes! Much much softer through his body
- easy to clean

Cons
- won't fit if the hoof changes shape too much and sometimes doesn't fit properly when we are coming close to needing a trim
- now need to find some for the hinds but he twists so may need to experiment
- an extra "thing" that needs to go on him

 

[Highmileagecob]

Take a look at the Cavallo Barefoot Trim video on line and compare it to your horse's trim. If the toes have been knocked back and the edges rolled, there will be hardly anything to crack or chip. If your farrier has done a pasture trim, and run the rasp round the edges, that could be a possible reason why you are seeing cracking, assuming you are on a trim schedule of six weeks or so. Most hoof boots will need a barefoot trim to shape the hoof. If your horse is happy barefoot and the cracks are just overgrowth breaking away, I wouldn't worry too much.