Shoes or hoof boots behind? If boots, where to start?

[khalswitz]

Hi all,

I know there are a million threads on hoof boots already, but I’m really struggling to decide if it’s worth the punt here.

My mare is only shod in front. Her feet weren’t great when I got her so we’re still working away on the flare etc, but her hind frogs and heels are definitely in a better condition than the shod front ones.

We hack mainly on quiet roads or stony tracks, and she’s started hanging to the verges where possible especially where stony, so I think she’s feeling the hinds a bit. Normally I’d just shoe her behind next cycle, but unsure if she’d keep better hind feet if booted.

She’ll get shoes off over for 3-4 months over the winter anyway if that makes much difference. So either she’ll get time out of shoes or if boots work well, a chance to try boots on the fronts too.

Thoughts are appreciated, and if boots are the rec, tips on where to start!

 

[FitzyFitz]

I used shoes in front, boots behind for a few years as she mostly didn't need hind foot protection and definitely didn't in the field. If they've got decent feet its a waste of money shoeing just for the few times they need a bit extra.

Ask Hoof Boutique or another dealer of multiple brands for advice, some hoof shapes fit certain boots better, and some boot brands are more forgiving than other so it can take a while to get the right match. Worth a try though!

 

[khalswitz]

I used shoes in front, boots behind for a few years as she mostly didn't need hind foot protection and definitely didn't in the field. If they've got decent feet its a waste of money shoeing just for the few times they need a bit extra.

Ask Hoof Boutique or another dealer of multiple brands for advice, some hoof shapes fit certain boots better, and some boot brands are more forgiving than other so it can take a while to get the right match. Worth a try though!

Thanks for the rec, I will check it out!

You’ve nailed how I’m feeling - for what work she’s doing (and she’s not in mega work, we just doddle) I’m feeling slightly reluctant to shoe if I don’t need to. But hoof boots are new to me so the advice is very helpful!

 

[FitzyFitz]

Thanks for the rec, I will check it out!

You’ve nailed how I’m feeling - for what work she’s doing (and she’s not in mega work, we just doddle) I’m feeling slightly reluctant to shoe if I don’t need to. But hoof boots are new to me so the advice is very helpful!

if she's not doing much you won't need to worry about the mega high performance boot types either which will make life easier! Things like cavallo and old mac are very forgiving in fit. I've always used hoof boutique and found them helpful, theres generally a bit of messing around initially with measurements and trying fitting shells to get the right match which can get tedious but once you're sorted its no worse than putting brushing boots on occasionally or something like that and especially with light use the boots last years.

Mine was doing a fair bit but only really needed hinds for competition (endurance) or very stony long rides, it seemed a bit pointless to fork out every 5 weeks when she only actually needed them for maybe 10 days a year!

 

[ester]

All of the hoof boot retailers are pretty helpful, hinds can be trickier to fit as they are more oval than round but there’s a lot more options than there used to be.
If you email them photos of a solid tape measure on longest and widest part of her hooves they will advise

 

[khalswitz]

if she's not doing much you won't need to worry about the mega high performance boot types either which will make life easier! Things like cavallo and old mac are very forgiving in fit. I've always used hoof boutique and found them helpful, theres generally a bit of messing around initially with measurements and trying fitting shells to get the right match which can get tedious but once you're sorted its no worse than putting brushing boots on occasionally or something like that and especially with light use the boots last years.

Mine was doing a fair bit but only really needed hinds for competition (endurance) or very stony long rides, it seemed a bit pointless to fork out every 5 weeks when she only actually needed them for maybe 10 days a year!

Yes we just hack about, very much for leisure. But with her being a bit footy just doing that I don’t feel comfortable just leaving her as is either, poor lass.

Thank you that’s very helpful!

 

[khalswitz]

All of the hoof boot retailers are pretty helpful, hinds can be trickier to fit as they are more oval than round but there’s a lot more options than there used to be.
If you email them photos of a solid tape measure on longest and widest part of her hooves they will advise

Ok brilliant, tape measure and camera it is. Thanks!

 

[FitzyFitz]

Ok brilliant, tape measure and camera it is. Thanks!

good luck!

 

[paddy555]

mine are unshod and I would very much go with boots rather than shoes. Hinds now to see how you get on and then all 4 if you are happy.
However I would go for renegade vipers or gloves. I don't like "clumpy" boots even on a horse who is jusy walking around the block. Also I like a nice breakover.

 

[khalswitz]

mine are unshod and I would very much go with boots rather than shoes. Hinds now to see how you get on and then all 4 if you are happy.
However I would go for renegade vipers or gloves. I don't like "clumpy" boots even on a horse who is jusy walking around the block. Also I like a nice breakover.

Thanks for the suggestion - I will definitely take a look.

 

[vhf]

Also relatively new to using boots. I found a local trimmer fitter who came out and brought a load of dummy boots so we could really work out what suited the shape of the whole hoof, action etc. Well worth the money for the education.
Quickly discovered that I didn't like the clumpy style of the "easier" Cavallos, but with her guidance bought them second hand and resold once I was more confident in what I was doing. We chose flex boots to replace them as I wanted something easy to put on /off due to aging back/hands! Again went second hand and resold when horse went.
New horse, I decided exactly what I needed without her, then had a crisis of confidence and she did a fitting anyway. And agreed...
I won't shoe by default again, but I'm not a barefoot above all person: just think it suits my situation better than shoes currently.

 

[ester]

Cavallos have their place (currently using them during/post poulticing as we have a hoof hole) but for actual work I think something lower profile is better, and doesn't affect the break over as much. - We had easyboot gloves, friend also having good success with scoots, lots of options now