Probably done thousands of times but....hoof boots

[Chippers1]

Since I've moved yards I am doing a lot more road work and I've noticed his feet are wearing down fairly quickly. I have an ancient pair of Cavallo's that I've been using (luckily they fit, they were my old ponies) and so far they have been working fine but after a particularly muddy hack this weekend they've fallen apart. I am looking to replace them but I was looking at getting a different kind as I think Buzz finds the Cavallo's too bulky, although they fit fine and don't rub or move and have never come off - old pony used to fling them off!

As they will only be for road work I wasn't looking to spend too much, he is barefoot and fine on all surfaces now so I won't need to use them for other activities, does anyone have experience of Scoot boots? Do they stay on in mud?
Open to other recommendations too thank you!

 

[MuddyMonster]

Measure the hooves & contact either Hoof Bootique or Urban Horse - I use Urban Horse. They'll be able to recommend hoof fit kits that are likely to work, then you can try a few to get the best fit.

I personally use Cavallo Treks and Flex Boots but that's just what fits my boy best, every horse will be different.

 

[Tarragon]

I am a Scoot Boot fan. I like the way the water and mud drains out of them, and they are not too bulky. But, different makes of boots will suit different shapes of hooves, so they may not be the best sort for your horse.
Like the time I wanted to buy a new riding hat and really fancied the smarter designs, and was prepared to pay more, but they didn't fit my head, so I ended up with a bog standard skull cap as that was the best fit!

 

[Tarragon]

I also second using Hoof Boutique or Urban Horse. I have personal experience of Hoof Boutique and really rate them.

 

[magicmoments]

I used hoof boutique. They were very good. To be honest you need to go with what fits your horse, rather than what you would prefer. Hoof boutique gave me a choice of what they thought would fit best.

 

[Peglo]

I wanted scoots but after contacting hoof boutique and trying some shells they didn’t work for my horse so went with easy boot gloves. (I wouldn’t have known the scoots wouldn’t work without their advice)
So I too advise getting pictures taken and sending to either HB or urban to get advice if you want to go for a closer fit boot than the cavellos, old macs etc

 

[mustardsmum]

I use scoots and cavellos, one pony doesn’t suit scoots and the other does. So it’s best to try what suits your horse. Urban or Hoof Bootique are both really helpful and you can get a boot fit kit. In 18 months I have only ever lost one scoot boot. And that was because I didn’t have the mud straps on. But generally they are both great boots and perform the same.

 

[Indy]

Another vote for Hoof Bootique. I really wanted Scoots but after trying fit kits, they looked like they would have rubbed Ishela raw. I went for Renegades instead and I'm glad I did, haven't lost one yet

 

[Chippers1]

Ah yes ok that makes sense. I'll get some photos tonight and send them over to the hoof boutique. Thanks all

 

[Gloi]

If you can find the boots you like second hand do that, but beware of the many scammers. Then if they don't suit you can resell without much loss of money.

 

[Chippers1]

I did have a quick look on facebook and there were a few for sale on there so i will probably go down the second hand route when I do find the right ones, particularly as they wouldn't be used too often as it's mainly the weekends when I do the longer hacks.

 

[ester]

If he’s not sore I wouldn’t particularly worry. IME of yard moves the growth will likely increase to match
My boot experience only stretches to easyboot gloves as they fitted and worked

 

[Fransurrey]

If he's not actually sore, not sure I'd bother. The horn will be denser with more work on hard ground.

Scoots didn't work for my boy. Heels were tight and they flipped off at trot. Couldn't get them to fit snugly as they just didn't allow for large heels.

 

[Chippers1]

Oh really! I started using them as he did seem a bit foot sore after one particularly long hack but that was a few months ago and we've done a lot of shorter ones since without the boots on, I only use them if we're out for over an hour as those normally involve more road work. Maybe I should see how he is without...

 

[paddy555]

I found scoots only stayed on in mud with the use of their mud straps (which cost extra)
I gave up putting mud straps on as they were just a nightmare. Took too long, difficult to get on and totally spoilt my enjoyment of going for a ride

I also found that they rubbed (as in raw and bloody) the hollows of the pasterns on 2 separate horses. One had successfully been wearing them daily for a long time. It was a shock to come home one day and find blood.

they got sold PDQ

the only boots I would use are vipers and gloves.

 

[criso]

I like Renegades for lack of bulk, easy to put on and less likely to rub as they fit round the hoof rather than higher.

Fusions were useful when my horse's feet were changing as very forgiving of fit but more fiddly to put on and get tight.

 

[Jambarissa]

I have scoots for a weeks or so after a trim, nothing to compare them to but seem good.

You could consider hoof armour instead of boots. Seems to work great for some and of little benefit for others. I'm in the middle, worth the price but probably not a 100% boot replacement.

 

[ester]

Oh really! I started using them as he did seem a bit foot sore after one particularly long hack but that was a few months ago and we've done a lot of shorter ones since without the boots on, I only use them if we're out for over an hour as those normally involve more road work. Maybe I should see how he is without...

I would, boots are great if it improves their movement/comfort if they’re a bit sore but they all effect breakover to bigger/lesser degrees so if no soreness I’d rather go without.
When we first moved hacking was more than he was used to distance wise and more off road but stoney so boots went on depending on route/company but hooves soon improved/adjusted and I was trimming every 3 weeks. Then I’d just take boots if heading into unknown potentially very stoney territory in case (I’m quite pro exploring ..) but rarely used them.

The biggest issue was when he had to have a break/retired and those hooves grew so bloody quickly, took about 3 months for them to get the message they could slow down again.

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

Since I've moved yards I am doing a lot more road work and I've noticed his feet are wearing down fairly quickly. I have an ancient pair of Cavallo's that I've been using (luckily they fit, they were my old ponies) and so far they have been working fine but after a particularly muddy hack this weekend they've fallen apart. I am looking to replace them but I was looking at getting a different kind as I think Buzz finds the Cavallo's too bulky, although they fit fine and don't rub or move and have never come off - old pony used to fling them off!

As they will only be for road work I wasn't looking to spend too much, he is barefoot and fine on all surfaces now so I won't need to use them for other activities, does anyone have experience of Scoot boots? Do they stay on in mud?
Open to other recommendations too thank you!

I like scoot boots
but you have to make sure you get the sizes right or heel can rub, they are lightweight so horse doesn't have something clumpy on their feed like old macs are.


I have two pairs for two horses wouldn't buy any others.

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

I found scoots only stayed on in mud with the use of their mud straps (which cost extra)
I gave up putting mud straps on as they were just a nightmare. Took too long, difficult to get on and totally spoilt my enjoyment of going for a ride

I also found that they rubbed (as in raw and bloody) the hollows of the pasterns on 2 separate horses. One had successfully been wearing them daily for a long time. It was a shock to come home one day and find blood.

they got sold PDQ

the only boots I would use are vipers and gloves.

i found the secret to putting them on Paddy, a pair of plyers much better than hoof pick like they say. Mine rubbed but i got the size they told me, but in both cases i ended up swapping for the next size and now no probs

 

[HopOnTrot]

Urban horse are wonderful! Which reminds me I need to send them pics of her hinds for some boots!

 

[paddy555]

i found the secret to putting them on Paddy, a pair of plyers much better than hoof pick like they say. Mine rubbed but i got the size they told me, but in both cases i ended up swapping for the next size and now no probsView attachment 135337

are you talking about the standard staps on the front? if so they are pretty easy. It is the mud straps that are the s*d to put on. ie threading the strap through the hard tunnel.

I'm afraid I just like to put a boot on and it stays through mud, bog and anything else without having to buy an"extra" to deal with these conditions and then having to put them on. I did find putting coloured straps useful on the scoots. They were a great help in locating lost boots.

 

[Gloi]

I put the mud straps on when the boots are off the horse and never take them off the boots. I put the hoof through the mud strap when putting the boots on.
I have never had a boot with mud strap come off.

 

[meleeka]

I recommend Urban Horse. I had a really good service from them recently and posted on here about it.

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

are you talking about the standard staps on the front? if so they are pretty easy. It is the mud straps that are the s*d to put on. ie threading the strap through the hard tunnel.

I'm afraid I just like to put a boot on and it stays through mud, bog and anything else without having to buy an"extra" to deal with these conditions and then having to put them on. I did find putting coloured straps useful on the scoots. They were a great help in locating lost boots.

yes I know I seen them but never used them as my scoots stay on in the field

 

[paddy555]

I put the mud straps on when the boots are off the horse and never take them off the boots. I put the hoof through the mud strap when putting the boots on.
I have never had a boot with mud strap come off.

I agree with them staying on but I cannot get the hoof in through the "hole" with both sides already through the channel and through the front fastening strap. The hole just isn't big enough. Spent ages going through this with Scoots in Aus and with urban horse. They sent some more mud straps but they were just as bad as the first. Found a video on utube about how to be the straps through the channel but I simply didn't have time for that performance.
Rennie and gloves go on quickly .

 

[Jambarissa]

I agree with them staying on but I cannot get the hoof in through the "hole" with both sides already through the channel and through the front fastening strap. The hole just isn't big enough. Spent ages going through this with Scoots in Aus and with urban horse. They sent some more mud straps but they were just as bad as the first. Found a video on utube about how to be the straps through the channel but I simply didn't have time for that performance.
Rennie and gloves go on quickly .

Omg what is that, looks a huge faff. Mine have a strap that goes from those little knobs near the heels, I thought that was what you were talking about.

My horses are heavily feathered, the boot thing is bad enough without that. I think my scoots are tighter than you see there though, need to slap them to get them on. Maybe that's too tight? Have never rubbed or come off though.

 

[Gloi]

I agree with them staying on but I cannot get the hoof in through the "hole" with both sides already through the channel and through the front fastening strap. The hole just isn't big enough. Spent ages going through this with Scoots in Aus and with urban horse. They sent some more mud straps but they were just as bad as the first. Found a video on utube about how to be the straps through the channel but I simply didn't have time for that performance.
Rennie and gloves go on quickly .

I cut the slider on the strap so it was shorter and the hoof fit through. I tried it like the video once but never again. A longer strap might have done but I didn't want to have to buy any.

 

[Chippers1]

Thank you all for your responses, I might just give it a go without and see how he goes. I know the routes a lot better now so hopefully we will be able to go back to being without!

 

[Chippers1]

I just want to come back to this as I've been doing quite a bit of hilly road work without boots on...could this cause flares to develop? I've noticed he's got flares to the inside of both front feet. We've recently switched to a new farrier some I'm unsure if all my previous farriers have trimmed this flare off and this one has left it or if it's a something developed from using his feet more!
Feels/looks sound on different surfaces. Not out a lot at the moment due to wet weather, fields are very boggy but he is in every other day so they dry out. He's also wearing them a lot less so that's a win too.
I've also scrutinised all my photos of him (after taking some terrible hoof photos) and I never realised that he is slightly toe-out, how have I not seen that?! Never caused him any issues though.

Anyway, any thoughts? He's been barefoot around 4 years and he feels big stones but always been fine on different surfaces.