Talk to me about hoof boots!

ihatework

ihatework

Well-Known Member
Joined
7 September 2004
Messages
23,793
Visit site
I have a 7yo horse that has been turned away for 9 months due to injury.
He has done very well (too well!) and a couple of weeks back went very footy.
I treated it as mild laminitis, but 5 days later he went hopping and an abcess burst.
Despite this I had him blood tested and he came back with an ACTH of 150, he has now started prascend and is being managed as a laminitis risk.

He is going to have to come back into work, and I'm considering keeping him unshod more as an early warning sign for the laminitis more than anything really.

He is probably too footy in front at the moment do do his hacking work unshod, so am thinking of investing in some boots to use (hopefully)short term.

What are the best/easiest boots to use on the market? I can't be doing with faffing!!
Do they rub? Is there anything I can be doing to help prevent rubbing?
Is it okay just to use fronts and try bare behind or do they need a set of 4?

Any other hoof boots for dummies helpful tips?
 
The simples are better for round or nearly round feet and the sports suit longer narrower feet! Tubigrip is good for rubbing which you might need as you break the boots in . My boy was even turned out in his simples!
I would put pads in if the horse is sore even if you make them yourself from some foam backed carpet or yoga mats!
 
Different boots suit different shape feet and way of moving so it is difficult to advise in generic terms. Make sure you get second-hand / hire first as it can take a few tries to find a make and size you are happy with and you don't want to spend too much money up front. Also, some are better for a sore horse (plenty of room for pads etc) but not so good for fast work and difficult surfaces, so again you might find you want to change boots later on.

There are online sites that give good advice. I used the saddlery shop when I first took my horses shoes off and they were very helpful (and have a hire service), although they don't stock all makes. I tried a few makes which didn't work out before settling on Boas initially which are very forgiving to fit and have room for pads, but horribly slippy on some surfaces. I currently use Swiss Horse Boots on front when needed, which you simply bang on with a rubber mallet and then forget about (I have accidentally turned him out in them after a ride because I forgot he was wearing them).

Absolutely no problem using fronts only (or backs only) if that is what suits.
 
ihatework said:
Excellent, I'd seen those on ebay and they looked good.
Do you know if they rub? On ebay they sell them with some sort of insert (is this essential or can I just use the boots?)
Is there much difference between the 'Simple' and 'Sport' version?
Click to expand...

I've just bought these and am now wondering how I managed without them...!

The pastern wraps that you can buy with them are good, though I got told to use a thick pair of mens walking socks with the toes cut off if I needed too.

One thing though, I bought mine without the gel pads (2nd hand) and made pads from a yoga mat - they didnt even last a hack so I'd say if you can but the actual gel pads. I've found I don't need the pads as mine have all been barefoot since last year and only wear boots for long hacks, but with a fottier horse I'd expect they would come in handy.

The Sport and the Simple are slightly different shapes, I found them quite easy to measure and fit.

I was given a pair of Old Mac G2's which are more secure but more of a faff to fit and, IMO, if I were paying my own money I owuldnt spend the extra above the Cavallos.
 
I have just bought some Cavallo Sport boots for my mare and they are great! They came with the gel pads and chaps, I use the gel pads but the chaps are rubbish! First time I used them was on a 30 minute hack and by the time we got back they had moved and twisted.
I now use human socks which I great and do not move! :)

The sports are slightly narrower than the simples, whereas the simples are for rounder shaped feet.
 
baker190 said:
I have just bought some Cavallo Sport boots for my mare and they are great! They came with the gel pads and chaps, I use the gel pads but the chaps are rubbish! First time I used them was on a 30 minute hack and by the time we got back they had moved and twisted.
I now use human socks which I great and do not move! :)

The sports are slightly narrower than the simples, whereas the simples are for rounder shaped feet.
Click to expand...

I found that with the wraps too. Do you cut the feet off the socks and just wrap them around the pastern or do you put them over the whole hoof :o
 
This is really useful information, thanks everyone.
With the socks, do you literally just pull them on over the foot, nothing else? Best to use a wool or cotton type rather than synthetic?
 
I have the Cavallo simples now for mine and they've been great. I was worried about them being too clumpy as he's TB with fine(ish) legs but they aren't at all.

I have a collection of old hiking/walking socks but invested (12.99!) in the cavallo pastern wraps and have honestly not looked back. They've made such a difference.

I've had the gel pads with my last set of boots and didn't really rate them. I bought the comfort pads (12mm initially) and cut them to fit. So far so good.

I buy almost all of my "foot" stuff from Equine Podiarty Supplies; fast, efficient service and the girl who runs it is very helpful whenever I've had any queries or wanted an opinion.
 
Another one for Cavallo Simples here.

Unfortunately my mare has odd feet so needed to buy two pairs to get the two different sizes I need.

But they are great, I do only use them for longer hacks now though but they are fabulous!

I bought the pastern wraps with mine but found they don't really suit her as she has big feet but "skinny ankles" so they just keep popping up!

Worth trying others ideas of thick walking socks though.
 
didn't like the Cavallos at all (I know some like them!), horse was not confident stepping out in them and was completely fine in gloves/back countries. friend of mine is just about to try the Easiboot Trails which you can at least buy singly and so in different sizes if necessary. Have had more success with the Gloves, Back Countries and Old Macs.

I have found in the past that buying cheap doesn't necessarily work with hoofboots, if you're faced with boots that are no good the second hand market is not as good as it was. I would recommend the Saddlery Company both for advice, rental scheme and customer service (although its true you can find boots a bit cheaper elsewhere).
 
Last edited:
Another vote for the simples. They look super clumpy but are very easy to get on, and they don't twist round either. Haven't so far had any issues with rubs either and horse seems quite happy in them. I got mine second hand with a set of unused pads which I put in as they helped not only with comfort but with the fit of the boot
 
webble said:
I found that with the wraps too. Do you cut the feet off the socks and just wrap them around the pastern or do you put them over the whole hoof :o
Click to expand...

I just attempted to put the whole sock on which actually fitted my mare so she just wears them now :cool: They do not move and look so much more comfortable than the pastern wraps!
They do look hilarious though!! :p

 
I have simples and honestly can't recommend them enough. I have never used pastern wraps or socks and have had no problem with rubs, even when we've been on mud, sand or through water. And mine is a delicate flower, over reach boots have rubbed in the past.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top