Horse boot design questions

[toomuchlove]

Hello, as I said in my previous post, I am currently studying advanced higher graphic communication and have started my final project. I am going to be designing a horse boot. (Just theoretical not actually going to be made so it doesn't matter if its completely accurate) I was wondering if you would mind answering the following questions?

What materials would you like the horse boot to be?
What sort of fastening do you think is best? E.g. laces or Velcro
How do you like it to fit? Like a horse shoe type of boot or something that covers the whole hoof?
Are there any extras that you would like a boot to have? E.g. different inserts for different terrains
Are there any specific problems that you think a horse boot is particularly good for and why?

Thank you in advance and I really appreciate all help 😊

 

[spookypony]

Do you mean a hoof boot? There are so many models on the market now, and several new ones introduced recently---why not research the advantages and disadvantages of the major existing makes, to give you an idea as to what is out there and what users think?

From my experiences:

The boot needs to be easy to get off and on the hoof, even when you're trying to hold an excitedly-bouncing horse while changing the boot (which is usually muddy) yourself. In my experience, the fold-open design of Renegades is far easier for this than the stiffer design of Easyboots. Definitely velcro, over anything more complicated.

I like neoprene lining for the bits that are in contact with e.g. heels and pasterns; this seems to cause less rubs.

I prefer full sole protection, due to the terrain around here. The ability to insert a pad is also good.

Some boots are better than others on slippery surfaces, and some include studs. I'm wary of studding, but a good sole profile is important.

I use boots for hoof protection in competition conditions or when I'm making other unusual demands. I find them especially useful over stony, uneven ground.

With boots, it seems that a general rule is that they really have to fit well, and not every type will suit every horse. Having a large variety of shapes and sizes available would help.

I hope this helps!

 

[Tapir]

I use Cavallo sports and they are so quick and easy to put on & off, with velcro fastenings. The only thing I'm a bit wary of is using them through deep puddles/mud as I'm worried the mud will cause the boots to rub round her pasterns. They are also very clompy which I don't like.

 

[benz]

Have tried a range of boots this year and what I would love is:

Easy to get on and off but not Velcro as loses its stickiness too easy and gets full of mud, hay, shavings etc or at least supply a Velcro brush with product!

Not fabric as takes years to dry

Good thick sole with good treads

Something that can be wrapped around the hoof as too often they are coming off in the mud

Not too heavy/clumpy

Bright so when they do come off in the mud they are easy to spot!

Costs comparable to shoeing, so if a pair of boots lasts 3 months, I would expect the horse to be shod twice during that time so that's about £70 (2x half set).

So far the best ones for all the above are the cavallo trek although we still have Velcro issues but they've never come off even in fairly deep mud and they are quite clumpy. If they were less clumpy and florescent pink, they might be as close to ideal as you could get.

Worst have been the old
Mac g2s (first pair velcro part ripped off on second ride, second pair came off on first ride and is nowhere to be found so don't know how or why it happened. Riding on hard ground btw not mud and boot perfect fit. They are also a faff) and cavallo sport (little clip is useless and they come off at every opportunity).

Equine fusion jogging are good at staying on but are a faff and stay wet forever! They also didn't last me very long (3 months of approx 5 hrs riding a week) and he every thin sole so need pads.

If you design the perfect boot you will be a millionaire as I've found them all to be a let down tbh