old mac boots

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hollyandivy123

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hi
has anyone used old mac boots, i thinking of getting some for one of the retired ponies, he is fine when the ground is not hard but as the ground hardens up he becomes a bit footy and needs a bit of suspension

so has anyone used these boots in the field full time, they say they are fine for lamis and arthritus
anythoughts?
 
I was going to get some for my retired horse who's unshod, as he too gets footy when the ground's hard. It was actually my vet who advised me not to bother, as he said they can cause heels to rub, and if i was putting them on all day, coupled with sweating would probably cause me more problems and he advised me to try and harden his soles and gave me sole paint, and then if he was still having trouble have him shod again.

Also, make sure your farrier isn't trimming the feet as if the pony is being shod. This was one of the problems I had at first, but I now make sure the farrier leaves plenty of foot on, which helps my boy a lot.
 
I used them on my old pony who had cushings related laminitis and was rather footy. He had to cross a gravel track to get to the field. so I used to turn him out with them on. He was absolutely fine with them on, no rubbing. He seemed to really appreciate having them on and was really confident to walk out with them on. Used them on my current horse last year as he went barefoot for a bit. He too loved them, the spring to his trot when he wore them was amazing!
 
I have used them for 5-6 years now. Had 2 sets for my TB, the current set is 3y old and tatty but fine. He wears them 1-2h 4-5 days a week. I use Boa boots on my arab for the same period of time. At all other times both horses are barefoot. When they first went barefoot they were turned away for 3 months to allow the feet to harden. I did this in Autumn so ground not too hard. By the spring they were fine on the hardest ground. I use the boots to prevent excess wear on the hooves from the road work I do. I am pretty sure they are not meant to be left on for more than 12h at any one time, and they can rub if you don't build up the time they are worn for gradually.
 
he has been bare foot for over 6yrs, and all would be fine if he would stop boingy about as the ground is hard there are little lumps and bumps and when he hits one of those he is a bit footy at his age he should know better!

if they can't be left on 24/7 can any one come up with another suggestion. when the ground has give he is fine, its when he get a small stone wedged in the white line region or bounds about then you notice it ahhhhhhhhhhhhh men

his feet are as hard as nails, take the farrier two hands to snipe through

so i am open to suggestions one thought i had was easy walker shoes
 
I am interested in this too as I am thinking of taking my old boy's front shoes off. He has arthritis and finds it difficult to bend his knees now. I was wondering if they would be too bulky and cause him to trip.
 
I find the Boa boots less bulky than the Old Macs. I found Hoof wings made his feet and fetlock area a bit sweaty, and the Marquis ones are great for riding, but fiddly to put on (you need a bicycle pump !) and looked very bizarre and were not great for horses who over-reach frequently. The Easy boots were fine, very similar to Old Macs. The site below does a good comparison of different types.
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art44956.asp
 
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