Scoot Boots or Flex Boots?

MatHalTed

MatHalTed

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Recently completed a 10 mile fun ride on my 5 year old which she really seemed to enjoy, and I'm interested in potentially getting into more of the endurance scene. She's barefoot all round and sound on all surfaces, but after the ride she had a bit of chipping from the quite rocky terrain. When I had her shoes removed I had her measured for hoof boots in case she needed them for the transition and our trimmer recommended either Scoot Boots in size 5 slim, or Flex Boots in either size 120 or 125. Just wondering what people's experiences are with these brands?
How are they to fit and put on, do they rub, is one more suitable for faster work or jumping than the other etc.
They'd really only be for long hacks / rides on rougher terrain (like the fun ride lasts week) but potentially for the occasional jump whilst out hacking too.
 
Scoot boots are more hard-wearing than Flex in my experience. I've not had any rubbing problems with mine but know others who have. Hoof bulb shape ,heel height need to be right for scoots not to rub.
 
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Scoots are supposed to be great if your horse has just the right shape of feet to work with them, as unfortunately theres no real adjustment without adding mud straps or shims. I've never managed to get them to stay on any of my ponies so can't attest to their toughness, although I know several people who are very successful with them, so it's just down to the individual shape! Either they work or they don't, even more than with other brands it seems.
I use Flex on some of mine and quite like them, pretty easy to put on and off and you can fiddle about with straps and gaiters to tune the fit without making them harder to put on in the long run. Lovely and soft, never once rubbed, but not the most hardwearing. I've done all paces, terrains and (small) jumps in mine no problem. Sometimes mud builds up under the strap ends and pops them off, but once you've got them fitted you can just trim the loose end a bit shorter and that stops it.
 
I have Scoots on my warmblood and just at the point of getting my second set - first replacement in over 5yrs. Never rubbed and never lost one!
Had flex for my cob fitted by a fitter, found they came loose & I ended up hopping off removing them half the time as he'd stomp in irritation.
Every horse is different though so what works for one won't for another. Definitely recommend getting a fit kit and going that way.
 
Scoot boots work brilliantly on my cob (never rub, stay on) but not on my Arab (they do rub and don't stay on)
So it all depends, unfortunately

I considered Flex boots but gave up because the sizing indicated by the fit kit wasn't right once I got the actual boots
 
I had Flex boots and they were fabulous on the road or in the dry but treacherous on wet ground or mud, once they were no longer brand new.

I looked at Scoot but thought the plastic was rather hard.

I bought Explorer Magic. Really good tread and don't rub. I've been on a hunt ride with a mix of hard ground, stony ground and deep ground and they stayed in place. The only disadvantage is that I find them a pain to put. But then, I am on the very last hole of the bottom straps and that makes it worse.

Scoot has a new type out with a different design where hoof meets hairy leg. They look a lot more forgiving. They didn't do my size when I was buying or I'd have gone for those.
 
Have used scoot boots on my gelding and once you get the right fit they are great. Our mare is in Cavallos and they are also great, but her foot shape meant she didn’t suit Scoots. So think it’s a case of finding what fits your horse best really. I only ever lost a scoot when pony’s feet changed shape and he needed smaller boots on the front. Scoots are dead easy to fit and put on, if you use mud straps - a dab of washing up liquid is your friend for getting the strap through the little keeper! Couldn’t believe how easy they were to thread through once lubricated 🤣 The straps across the front of the hoof are easy to do up using a hoof pick rather than by hand but I could have my horse booted, with his mud straps on in about ten mins. You can add thin pads to scoots if you think you need them, also gaters. Be aware adding these both will affect fit. But I never had any rubbing with scoots at all. Sadly pony has had to be shod as his soles are thin and we couldn’t keep him comfortable. But I was happy with the boots, just he needed to wear them all the time, not just for hacking, and that could have made his foot issues worse. So he’s back in shoes. But I really liked the scoots and thought they were well designed.
 
Scoots worked well for one of ours once we sewed some heel protection around the straps. Flex are fantastic , but definitely less long lasting. Magic are tough, grippy, adjustable ( though turinng the plate around is very fiddly), the sole is strong but flexes, and they haven't rubbed .
 
hate scoots, had to buy extra coloured straps to find them when they came off, they didn't stay on well without mud straps which were a PITA to put on each time. On one horse they badly gouged (as in raw and bleeding) the back of the pastern. On the 2nd horse we were going along fine for 3 months, I thought great they fitted so well. Then took them off one day to find raw bloody gouge on one of the fronts.

Best thing about scoots was they sold well on Marketplace.,

the only boots I would use now are renegade vipers. Stay on, wear well, have grip, good sole thickness which matters over hard stony ground, don't cause problems.

I never get fit kits. I find them misleading. Once fastened a boot that appears it might not fit on the fit kit is perfect.
mustardsmum said:
but I could have my horse booted, with his mud straps on in about ten mins.
Click to expand...
Yikes! 30 seconds a foot is more like it. 10 mins and I would have lost the will to live. :eek:
 
paddy555 said:
Yikes! 30 seconds a foot is more like it. 10 mins and I would have lost the will to live. :eek:
Click to expand...
I included the time picking out and washing mud off feet… and that is all four feet, not ten mins a foot. I also would usually have a good stretch between boots as I have a bad back 🤣 Yes prob the actual time physically putting the boot on is about 30 seconds….
 
I use flex and don't really canter in them as the few times I have one has been flung to the wind 😂 Will say they have never rubbed though and the flying off is likely my own fault as her feet have changed shape a bit (for the better) and I haven't had her re-fitted!

Hoof boutique were very good with the fit kit and responding to photos and videos, were able to tell me which ones wouldn't work with her feather and foot shape etc even if the measurements looked right and the shell fit.
 
Depends on the shape of your horses feet. I hated scoots. Flex were even worse! Cavallos for us but trek model only. Seems very personal booting! Also if your horse isn’t sore just a few chips maybe none are needed? Just a gentle rasp around after a few days.
 
MatHalTed said:
Recently completed a 10 mile fun ride on my 5 year old which she really seemed to enjoy, and I'm interested in potentially getting into more of the endurance scene. She's barefoot all round and sound on all surfaces, but after the ride she had a bit of chipping from the quite rocky terrain. When I had her shoes removed I had her measured for hoof boots in case she needed them for the transition and our trimmer recommended either Scoot Boots in size 5 slim, or Flex Boots in either size 120 or 125. Just wondering what people's experiences are with these brands?
How are they to fit and put on, do they rub, is one more suitable for faster work or jumping than the other etc.
They'd really only be for long hacks / rides on rougher terrain (like the fun ride lasts week) but potentially for the occasional jump whilst out hacking too.
Click to expand...
If you’re hoping to ride for longer distances, needing grip over varying surfaces, you might be better with Renegade Viper, or maybe Explorer Magic.
Having said which, I’ve recently done four 25 mile rides in a set of Easycare New Trails, absolutely no issues, these boots are very cushioned, incredibly easy to fit, but quite clunky to look at and more faff to clean each ride.
Best boot is one that fits your horse!
I do like Vipers; have seen a number of raw-rubbed heels from Scoots; and gather that Flex don’t last very long.
See if you can borrow styles to try, or maybe second hand just to get an idea of suitability, first.
If you’re really going for competitive ‘endurance’, Golden Horseshoe type stuff as opposed to longer pleasure rides, you may find the horse actually does need shoes, so always keep an open mind about his progress and his best interests.
Good luck!
MatHalTed said:
Recently completed a 10 mile fun ride on my 5 year old which she really seemed to enjoy, and I'm interested in potentially getting into more of the endurance scene. She's barefoot all round and sound on all surfaces, but after the ride she had a bit of chipping from the quite rocky terrain. When I had her shoes removed I had her measured for hoof boots in case she needed them for the transition and our trimmer recommended either Scoot Boots in size 5 slim, or Flex Boots in either size 120 or 125. Just wondering what people's experiences are with these brands?
How are they to fit and put on, do they rub, is one more suitable for faster work or jumping than the other etc.
They'd really only be for long hacks / rides on rougher terrain (like the fun ride lasts week) but potentially for the occasional jump whilst out hacking too.
Click to expand...
 
I've never been able to find a pair of scoots that actually fit my horse but both of them fit well into flex boots. my mare has been barefoot for 3 years and I've only just had to replace her boots, and they were second hand when I got them.

my gelding has a habit of wearing the toe but I've kept using them really battered until about 3 months ago, and have had to give in as stones were getting in. but his lasted 4 years! and its only the toe that has wore, the sole is still perfectly fine!

we only hack, so both pairs have had a lot of use!
 
Just like Paddy I had rubbing/falling off issues with Scoots and hate them, also hate how hard the plastic is. I also agree that Vipers are super boots, I have used them hard over tough terrain and never lost one. I'd definitely recommend them for endurance, despite the cost.
 
Exasperated said:
If you’re hoping to ride for longer distances, needing grip over varying surfaces, you might be better with Renegade Viper, or maybe Explorer Magic.
Having said which, I’ve recently done four 25 mile rides in a set of Easycare New Trails, absolutely no issues, these boots are very cushioned, incredibly easy to fit, but quite clunky to look at and more faff to clean each ride.
Best boot is one that fits your horse!
I do like Vipers; have seen a number of raw-rubbed heels from Scoots; and gather that Flex don’t last very long.
See if you can borrow styles to try, or maybe second hand just to get an idea of suitability, first.
If you’re really going for competitive ‘endurance’, Golden Horseshoe type stuff as opposed to longer pleasure rides, you may find the horse actually does need shoes, so always keep an open mind about his progress and his best interests.
Good luck!
Click to expand...

ETA,
OP, just processed your last sentence:
and if only using boots for the longer hacks etc, do pick something very well-cushioned, because his feet / heels/ pasterns will get a shock if you suddenly strap on something new and then do several hours work in it.
Bit like hiking out in new footwear, try getting regularly accustomed before any significant distance.
 
Gloi said:
I never take the mud straps off. I wiggle the hoof through them when booting up.
Click to expand...
I did try that and many other ways. I went back to urban horse several times and they sent other mud straps, I went back to Scoot in Aus. but nothing that would help.

Totally hopeless on a practical basis trying to put mud straps on 4 boots. It would have just taken too long and been too hard work. Without the mud straps then I spent too long looking for lost boots even with coloured straps. Problem was they came off on mud so you didn't hear you were without a boot. On the road you can hear the beat of 4 boots (just as you can shoes) so you know if one comes off.

Landcruiser said:
Just like Paddy I had rubbing/falling off issues with Scoots and hate them, also hate how hard the plastic is.
Click to expand...
when I got the first pair that never occurred to me. Put them plus the insignificant gaiter on. It was only when I came to remove them and got a bloody hand that I thought about it and realised that the plastic was a really poor idea. I gather you can buy endurance gaiters etc etc but by the time you have bought those and coloured straps it is really pushing the price up.
I prefer something I can take out of the box with all parts attached.

ETA as far as any sort of boots go the most important thing you are looking for is the breakover.
 
I have Scoots and really rate them (I've done all sorts of scrambly moorland riding and galloping in ours), but as others have said they only work if they fit your horse's feet. Otherwise they're not very forgiving. Mine take about a minute per foot to put on, including hoiking the straps shut with a hoofpick. I use mudstraps 100% of the time and don't find them to be a problem, but if you had arthritis etc in your hands I'd imagine they'd be very difficult. I pad the back bars with padding tape (from Urban Horse) wrapped in duck tape and then put the gaiter over that - I have to replace the tape every year or so.

So yes....the ones that fit are the best.
 
Thank you all for the replies, I've heard of the Cavallos and Renegades potentially being more comfortable but unfortunately trimmer doesn't think they'd fit her well. Out of Scoots and Flex trimmer thinks flex will fit her slightly better. I'm going to try a fitting kit with different brands and shells though just in case
 
I did used to swear by equine fusion…. Until they changed to a cut out cheaper version. Worse boots ever now unless it’s perfect dry and pony only walks.
Scoots - rubbed horrible sores on both of mine.
Using the cavello now and love them - great for arthritis hands, easy to fit
 
Scoots! They have a new gaiter called the multipurpose gaiter. It's made of TPU and is very tough, it can replace the mud straps in certain conditions and make putting the boot on easier. Also helps with twisting apparently 😊 I love Scoots and use them on heaps of different horses.
 
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