Measuring feet and choosing hoof boots

stencilface

stencilface

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Following my bf update, Norman is now footy and I've not ridden him in a week or so (also pulled my back so rest is good for both of us!)

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/foru...-Work-shy-horses-bare-foot-update-6-months-on


I'm looking to buy some hoof boots and from measuring this morning his fronts are 138 wide by about 135 ish long. The length I'm not too sure of as don't know if heels are a bit underrun and will improve. It seems from the hoof boutique website that the renegades or cavallo simples might suit. Now the cavallos are half the price of the renegades so I think for a first boot they might be best to try, but is my northern stinginess getting in the way of the right choice?!
 
stencilface said:
Thanks, think they might be good as a starter if nothing else, there's a second hand pair in the right size too, gah!
Click to expand...

Absolutely the best way to start is with a second hand pair in good condition. Renegades are definitely not a good first boot choice, too much risk of hooves changing shape and you needing a different size :)
 
We got Cavello simple boots, they have done the job, but were hard to fit properly, (could be user error) even the farrier tried to fit them, 7 months on, as soon as he canters, he loses the boots, to be fair, he doesn't often need the boots now, given my time over, i would buy a cheep sheepskin numnah and gaffer tape hoof shaped cutouts to his feet, disposable nappies also do the same job and give a snug fit, when using the nappies my TB woose doesn't exaggerate his paces, it must be like wearing slippers for him, whereas he walks funny trying to compensate for wearing his boots
 
flirtygerty said:
We got Cavello simple boots, they have done the job, but were hard to fit properly, (could be user error) even the farrier tried to fit them, 7 months on, as soon as he canters, he loses the boots, to be fair, he doesn't often need the boots now, given my time over, i would buy a cheep sheepskin numnah and gaffer tape hoof shaped cutouts to his feet, disposable nappies also do the same job and give a snug fit, when using the nappies my TB woose doesn't exaggerate his paces, it must be like wearing slippers for him, whereas he walks funny trying to compensate for wearing his boots
Click to expand...

They sound like they are a size too big if that is happening
 
I got cavallo simples for one of mine who is barefoot after navicular diagnosis. Got them because they were cheaper and I only wanted them for walking out, he is also ridden barefoot but for longer/stoney hacks he gets the boots on.
His feet are very round, actually wider than they are long, so not that many boots fitted him anyway. I'm glad I got the smaller size as he was sort of between sizes as his feet have continued to get shorter over the months and the boots are now slightly looser than they were. We've started putting socks on him then the boots, very trendy.
The boots themselves are well made and seem to be wearing well, I just give them a quick wash at the hose and leave them to dry between use.
 
Thanks for the helpful replies, have bought a second hand pair from the lovely Hoof boutique, which I'm hoping will be a good place to start. If we love them and they help I'll look into getting some swanky renegades, at the moment with three years essentially off with various ailments, I'm loathe to spend more money than I need :o
 
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