Scoot Boots or Explora Magic

[Red-1]

Agh! I love the Flex boots that BH has been wearing for roadwork and stony tracks, but they are not good enough in mud. I have been taking a rucksack and putting them on and off, but that isn't a long term solution I am prepared to live with. It is faffy and I often ride alone.

I had a hoof boot fitter come out today, with several fit kits. She recommended that Scoot Boots would be fine all round, but the Scoot fronts he was a bit between sizes. But, Explora Magic boots were a fab fit for the fronts, but didn't suit the backs.

They are to hack up to around 3 hours, but including faster work and jumping.

I would be happy to have Explora fronts and Scoot backs, but don't know how grippy Explora Magic ones are in mud and if they would be suitable for jumping when out in the woods. It is also tricky to see how they would be just off a fit kit.

Anyone with experience of both?

 

[Widgeon]

I only have experience of Scoots but I can say that adding pads changes the fit a bit, so it may be worth trying that before giving up on the idea of Scoots.

ETA apologies if you've already tried that and it wasn't enough!

E(again)TA - mine has boots on the back only - they were rubbing his heels so we added pads to raise his foot up about about 5mm. The pads take 5mm out of the bottom of the boot (i.e. the widest bit) which effectively made them both a touch smaller and slightly further away from his heels. Worked well for us but obviously all horses have differently shaped feet

 

[JBM]

My girl is in 5 slim scoots have made the world of difference happily marches around our forest

 

[MuddyMonster]

I've only heard good things about Explora Magic's for muddy conditions and jumping although don't use them myself. I've seen lots of posts on FB of people out on hunt rides, XC etc. I'm fairly certain you can stud them too of needed.

I was hoping to get a pair for fronts as an upgrade from current boots if I need them over winter but not holding my breath as pony seems to be quite an awkward size.

I find if Scoots don't fit well, they rub a lot so wouldn't want to risk a not great fitting pair (which is why pony isn't in them as otherwise they'd be my number one choice).

 

[Nasicus]

There's also shims to go in the front of the boot to help with inbetween sizes!

 

[Roxylola]

Bon has been using scoots. He's hacked and jumped in them happily. However, on wet grass I felt he found them slippy and felt a bit hesitant.
Mud has been fine though, as has fast work, and they've not rubbed - which considering how fine he is I think is pretty good.
I suspect any/all boots will have the slippy on wet grass issue though tbh

 

[Red-1]

I've only heard good things about Explora Magic's for muddy conditions and jumping although don't use them myself. I've seen lots of posts on FB of people out on hunt rides, XC etc. I'm fairly certain you can stud them too of needed.

I was hoping to get a pair for fronts as an upgrade from current boots if I need them over winter but not holding my breath as pony seems to be quite an awkward size.

I find if Scoots don't fit well, they rub a lot so wouldn't want to risk a not great fitting pair (which is why pony isn't in them as otherwise they'd be my number one choice).

Yes, I think this is the info I needed. I think it will be Explora in front and Scoot behind. I just wanted to make sure people had used them for similar to what I wanted.

I am reluctant to pad up as he doesn't need extra padding and making them taller makes the breakover all wrong. I want the minimum. He is *almost* fine without any boots, but not quite.

 

[expanding_horizon]

I use Explora magic all round. Good grip as good as I’ve found.

I’m cautious of scoots after back heel bulb strap badly rubbed a previous horse. Think this is a common issue (search on here).

 

[paddy555]

I used to use scoots, they seemed brilliant but no more.
Firstly whilst they do have the grip and are easy to wash, their good points. The bad points were they didn't stay on in mud without mud straps and they were a total nightmare to put on and I gave up. The time it took removed any pleasure I had in a ride.

Second and far more important point was the damage it did to my horse's feet. On 2 separate horses. The backs of the scoots gouged badly into them and I was left with a raw, bloody mess. One horse had been wearing them for a long time, his feet hadn't changed shape so there was no reason for it. That was on the fronts. The worst one was on the back. The scoots fitted however the heel bulbs didn't fit the boots if that makes sense.

Ever again, too big a risk.
Now we use a boot that stays on gives excellent grip and wears well. Also it doesn't damage the horse.

 

[ycbm]

Now we use a boot that stays on gives excellent grip and wears well. Also it doesn't damage the horse

Called?

 

[The Xmas Furry]

I just checked with Hacking chum as hers was in boots all winter.
She swapped from Scoots last autumn to the Explora magic, fronts only. She rode her TB at least 5 days a week, and 4 of those hacking, she was v happy as they stayed put and no rubbing, even going through pretty boggy mud and jumping logs etc. Mare is now shod all round tho, no reflection on the boots says HC but for other reasons.

 

[gunnergundog]

Scoot sell gaiters to eliminate any chafing/rubbing in the heel area.

Also, the Scoot Enduros are more adaptable/changeable to cope with different shape heel bulbs, especially if you have under run heels.

Finally, my farrier/trimmer bevelled the front of the boots to change the breakover for my wonky donkey.
The wonky donkey enjoyed a few short days hunting last season in this country for the first time in several years; the boots stayed in place, sadly the jockey didn't....a tad too exuberant! May have been better if he had been feeling his feet a bit more! Grrrr! I should have employed the crash test dummy I was offered....however, pride comes before a fall.

 

[Red-1]

Scoot sell gaiters to eliminate any chafing/rubbing in the heel area.

Also, the Scoot Enduros are more adaptable/changeable to cope with different shape heel bulbs, especially if you have under run heels.

Finally, my farrier/trimmer bevelled the front of the boots to change the breakover for my wonky donkey.
The wonky donkey enjoyed a few short days hunting last season in this country for the first time in several years; the boots stayed in place, sadly the jockey didn't....a tad too exuberant! May have been better if he had been feeling his feet a bit more! Grrrr! I should have employed the crash test dummy I was offered....however, pride comes before a fall.

I am smiling but I am also presuming you weren't injured other than pride. Apologies if it was more serious than that!

ETA - BH has feet too large for Enduros.

 

[SEL]

I didn't find scoot gaiters stopped the rubbing.

Off to see how big Explora come in now.

 

[Red-1]

I didn't find scoot gaiters stopped the rubbing.

Off to see how big Explora come in now.

I think BH is in the top size, and he is around 145 mm wide and long.

 

[awelshandawarmblood]

My thin skinned WB has been in Scoots for 3 years & the most rubbing we've had is a ruffling of hair on a heel if he's very nearly due a trim & we've done a long ride. I always have the gaitors on him. I used the pads to allow them to fit my cob which worked well too. We've never lost them even in mud without the mud straps but I've never used them on wet grass, I leave him barefoot as I've heard of them slipping.

 

[Red-1]

I got cold feet about the Scoots as I would have required a longer front strap (to hold the gaping gap closed) anyway as a normal strap would not have fitted and I can't see the longer front strap advertised anywhere. I re-contacted the lady who did the fitting and she suggested just getting the Explora ones for the front as they were good. She thinks they do longer front straps for the Scoots, but without being able to order them, the boots would not be any good.

The same size Exploras almost fitted the back, so the plan is to make sure they are right for the fronts, then have a little experiment with them on the backs, same size. If they fit, I will just get a matching set. If not, I will call in person to investigate the XL top front closure straps for the Scoots.

There is no rush as he already has Flex boots and also 1 pair of Gloves.

Thank you all for your help!

 

[McGrools]

I have just upgraded from flex to explora magics on the fronts. The magics are much more secure for faster work. They clip onto the hoof so dont budge and no hard edges come above the hoof line so no rubbing. You can rest easy they will not move if a good fit for the hoof!

 

[Taliesan]

I've used Scoots, Flexes, Renegade Vipers and Exploras on one of my boys then Equine Fusions and Exploras on the other.

I would never touch Scoots again. They rubbed horribly at the back of his heel bulbs and I find that, even though the boot shell might fit the hoof capsule, it doesn't fit many horses around the back of the foot.

Flex boots were fine but my horse didn't like how they fitted and I wasn't convinced by them on wet ground.

The Vipers were great but I had him slip on short wet grass a couple of times as I think the plastic they use to make them is less grippy than the more rubbery plastics of the Exploras.

The Equine Fusions were good with no slipping at all, but they were a bit clumpy and a faff to get on.

I absolutely love the Exploras on both of my boys. No twisting, no slipping and really easy to get on and off. They are my go to boot now and I recommend them to everyone. There's also a huge amount of adjustability which means you can easily adjust the fit of the boot to suit the shape of your horses' feet.

 

[Red-1]

I've used Scoots, Flexes, Renegade Vipers and Exploras on one of my boys then Equine Fusions and Exploras on the other.

I would never touch Scoots again. They rubbed horribly at the back of his heel bulbs and I find that, even though the boot shell might fit the hoof capsule, it doesn't fit many horses around the back of the foot.

Flex boots were fine but my horse didn't like how they fitted and I wasn't convinced by them on wet ground.

The Vipers were great but I had him slip on short wet grass a couple of times as I think the plastic they use to make them is less grippy than the more rubbery plastics of the Exploras.

The Equine Fusions were good with no slipping at all, but they were a bit clumpy and a faff to get on.

I absolutely love the Exploras on both of my boys. No twisting, no slipping and really easy to get on and off. They are my go to boot now and I recommend them to everyone. There's also a huge amount of adjustability which means you can easily adjust the fit of the boot to suit the shape of your horses' feet.

That is my plan, to faff with the Exploras to see if I can make them fit the backs as well. Thank you for your thorough appraisal! I look at the Scoots and they just seem harsh where the soft heels are.

 

[Gloi]

If scoots do fit well at the back though because your hooves have the right conformation for them, they don't rub, even without gaiters. We did many miles in them.

 

[ycbm]

I think rubbing is very specific to individual horses. I've used the actual same boots on different horses and some rub and some don't.

Sadly, given the cost, it's a matter of trial and error.

I would say, though, that Renegades are by far the least likely to rub as nothing on them that touches a live part of the horse moves.

They are fiddly to set up but very easy to fit once set up. They do have an exposed back edge on the sole and for that reason I wouldn't jump in them and they could be a problem on a horse which over reaches.
.

 

[paddy555]

Called?

sorry vipers.

 

[paddy555]

I think rubbing is very specific to individual horses.

.

on the scoots it is dependent on the heel bulbs, especially on the backs. Although the actual boot fits some have "unsuitable" bulbs. I didn't find it obvious at first. They appeared fine.
The renegades are much kinder as the heel captivator cushions around the heel bulbs.

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

Agh! I love the Flex boots that BH has been wearing for roadwork and stony tracks, but they are not good enough in mud. I have been taking a rucksack and putting them on and off, but that isn't a long term solution I am prepared to live with. It is faffy and I often ride alone.

I had a hoof boot fitter come out today, with several fit kits. She recommended that Scoot Boots would be fine all round, but the Scoot fronts he was a bit between sizes. But, Explora Magic boots were a fab fit for the fronts, but didn't suit the backs.

They are to hack up to around 3 hours, but including faster work and jumping.

I would be happy to have Explora fronts and Scoot backs, but don't know how grippy Explora Magic ones are in mud and if they would be suitable for jumping when out in the woods. It is also tricky to see how they would be just off a fit kit.

Anyone with experience of both?

I have just ordered today Scoots Boots for my welsh A with sore feet ( vets advice) I used the get sizing form on their website as did not want to get it wrong.)

 

[Gloi]

I have just ordered today Scoots Boots for my welsh A with sore feet ( vets advice) I used the get sizing form on their website as did not want to get it wrong.)

They do come up big imho. I got the size it said but ended up selling and going down a size.

 

[Cragrat]

sorry vipers.

I do like the Vipers I have for one horse, but find them pretty lethal on wet grass, or when we get a layer of mud over hard ground. The Scoots are better in these situations.
I like how Vipers don't rub, but dislike how rigid they are - I guess that's a circle that can't be squared

Definitely going to investigate EM's, based on this thread!

 

[Caol Ila]

Like I said in the other thread, I love my Vipers but I never gallop or jump on wet, slippy ground. Never have, even when I had a fully shod horse.

Fin climbed a vertical grass slope today, wearing his little boots. I may have been sprawled across his neck yelling, "Help!" (climbing it was Mr. Caol Ila's idea, and he was 'lead horse'), but Fin scrambled up with great strength and competence.

 

[Red-1]

I have another query: this with Exploras, do they 'give' over time appreciably? (I'm thinking for the back ones).

 

[Reacher]

Sorry don’t have anything helpful to add, just to say I’d never heard of explora magics so that is interesting.

I used to use renegade (originals) but had issues with the cable snapping (and the boot/ cable ending up dangling from the horse’s leg at a canter which was disconcerting).

I moved to flex boots and been delighted however the other night we had a bit of an incident where we got into an unintentional gallop for a short distance and one boot came clean off and the other was dangling around the leg. I don’t know if the loose boot triggered the gallop or was a result of it.

Anyway my ramblings are along the lines that I’ve not yet found any boots that I’d be confident would stay on jumping etc