Tell me good things about hoof boots

[NikKnock]

About to go down the hoof boot route as ponios hooves need a break from shoes after all the wet weather through winter and spring. He's a tb and has thin walls, thinnish soles, feet tend to flatten and splay as they grow, low heels. X rays done yearly and my farrier has done a great job taking the pastern angles from negative to positive but we've agreed the feet need time to grow out and not have iron shoes nailed on, so it's either three months turned away, which I know he would hate as much as me, or the route farrier and I have decided upon - hoof boots. Would love to hear success stories (or otherwise ). Thanks

 

[deicinmerlyn]

I used Cavellos on my TB. I used them when his feet softened in wet weather when hacking. Otherwise he didn’t need them. They were a Godsend.
In dry weather his feet were perfect and I did not need them. Riding on tarmac helps condition and harden the feet, along with the appropriate diet.

 

[NikKnock]

I used Cavellos on my TB. I used them when his feet softened in wet weather when hacking. Otherwise he didn’t need them. They were a Godsend.
In dry weather his feet were perfect and I did not need them. Riding on tarmac helps condition and harden the feet, along with the appropriate diet.

Thanks that's good to know, maybe this will be a permanent way forward

 

[meleeka]

I’ve used them for turnout. Mine has Equine Fusion All Terrain Ultra. They have allowed her to grow a good sole after laminitis. Before I used them her soles used to go soft and thin every winter. If you find boots rub, try socks under them. Thick yoga mats also make good pads if you need them. My pony has never had shoes on so I didn’t really want to go down that option. She’s retired but currently bare footed and happy again.

 

[Highmileagecob]

Another Cavallo fan. Used them for my barefoot cob when wet weather left his feet soft and ouchy. I always used them with gel pads, but found them very roomy, so a baby's size 1 nappy was perfect as a sock. If you can't source gel pads, cut your own out of a yoga mat, as above, or mens' flip flops.

 

[Zoeypxo]

I used cavallo treks and equine podiatry supplies pads for my warmblood. They were great, lasted ages aswell.
My only complaint is they are not very grippy in wet grass/mud.
My horse spooked at something in the hedge out hacking ,slipped on some wet grass and fell over. Luckily she was ok and didnt land on me but she was always a bit overly careful on wet paths after that.

 

[planete]

I use Cavallos and Flex boots. The Flex are brilliant as long as you can keep the hooves the right size and shape by trimming them frequently. My pony moves well in them and seems to really like them. The Cavallos are more clumpy and seem to make him move less naturally but are very forgiving size wise and will accommodate changes in shape and size through a five/six weeks trimming cycle, useful for somebody like me who is no longer capable of trimming.

 

[NikKnock]

I’ve used them for turnout. Mine has Equine Fusion All Terrain Ultra. They have allowed her to grow a good sole after laminitis. Before I used them her soles used to go soft and thin every winter. If you find boots rub, try socks under them. Thick yoga mats also make good pads if you need them. My pony has never had shoes on so I didn’t really want to go down that option. She’s retired but currently bare footed and happy again.

Fab thanks.

 

[NikKnock]

I used cavallo treks and equine podiatry supplies pads for my warmblood. They were great, lasted ages aswell.
My only complaint is they are not very grippy in wet grass/mud.
My horse spooked at something in the hedge out hacking ,slipped on some wet grass and fell over. Luckily she was ok and didnt land on me but she was always a bit overly careful on wet paths after that.

Good to know you're a cavello fan, as that's what I've ordered. And thanks for the advice about possible slipping.

 

[NikKnock]

I use Cavallos and Flex boots. The Flex are brilliant as long as you can keep the hooves the right size and shape by trimming them frequently. My pony moves well in them and seems to really like them. The Cavallos are more clumpy and seem to make him move less naturally but are very forgiving size wise and will accommodate changes in shape and size through a five/six weeks trimming cycle, useful for somebody like me who is no longer capable of trimming.

Thank you so much. I should have looked at the flex boots but my farrier recommended cavello. I'll still look.

 

[NikKnock]

Another Cavallo fan. Used them for my barefoot cob when wet weather left his feet soft and ouchy. I always used them with gel pads, but found them very roomy, so a baby's size 1 nappy was perfect as a sock. If you can't source gel pads, cut your own out of a yoga mat, as above, or mens' flip flops.

That's great advice thank you. I've ordered pastern wraps and pads to insert, but will consider yoga mats or flip flops, thank you!

 

[Roasted Chestnuts]

Love my Scoot boots! Once I can get Faran back barefoot he will be back in them

 

[NikKnock]

Love my Scoot boots! Once I can get Faran back barefoot he will be back in them

Great! Thanks

 

[brighteyes]

Scoots all the way, if your horse has Scoot-shaped feet.

 

[daydreamer]

I use renegade vipers on my horse’s fronts just for hacking as there are some gravelly tracks. They are quick to put on and get off. We’ve only walked and trotted (greenish youngster with wimpy/cautious owner!) but they haven’t rubbed, twisted or caused any issues. Very happy with them.

 

[ycbm]

Renegades every time for me. Fiddly to set up but very easy to fit after that, and because of the design with a wire hinge for the heel cup, the least likely boot of any on the market to rub. They last for ages, too.
.

 

[NikKnock]

I use renegade vipers on my horse’s fronts just for hacking as there are some gravelly tracks. They are quick to put on and get off. We’ve only walked and trotted (greenish youngster with wimpy/cautious owner!) but they haven’t rubbed, twisted or caused any issues. Very happy with them.

Fab, thanks.

 

[NikKnock]

Renegades every time for me. Fiddly to set up but very easy to fit after that, and because of the design with a wire hinge for the heel cup, the least likely boot of any on the market to rub. They last for ages, too.
.

Great. Hadn't heard of those.

 

[NikKnock]

Renegades every time for me. Fiddly to set up but very easy to fit after that, and because of the design with a wire hinge for the heel cup, the least likely boot of any on the market to rub. They last for ages, too.
.

Thank you!

 

[P.forpony]

I use scoots on my tb and they've been an absolute game changer.
I liked the look of both the scoots and the flex but had a boot fitter come out which saved a lot of faffing around and he said the best boots are the one that fit the horse.
Flex didn't suit his hoof shape at all but the scoots were like a glove

 

[NikKnock]

I use scoots on my tb and they've been an absolute game changer.
I liked the look of both the scoots and the flex but had a boot fitter come out which saved a lot of faffing around and he said the best boots are the one that fit the horse.
Flex didn't suit his hoof shape at all but the scoots were like a glove

Amazing, thank you

 

[Marigold4]

I use Equine Fusion All Terrains. It does depend on the shape of your horse's feet though. Scoots don't suit my horse's shape but these ones do. Equine Fusions don't rub and I also like the flexible soles.

 

[NikKnock]

Thank you, that's interesting.

 

[Caol Ila]

Both my horses wear Renegade Vipers in the front and my mare wears Evo boots on the hind. The gelding seems fine without hind boots but she’s a princess and prefers to have them. I prefer the lighter built performance ones. Seem less clunky for the horse. They also don’t get heavy when wet. We walk, trot, and canter in them. They usually stay on.

Not every brand will fit every foot. You have to putz around to find the right ones, sometimes.

Mine usually get through one pair of Vipers per year but we do a lot of long hacks (10k+) over very rocky ground.

 

[Peglo]

My horse is in easycare gloves. I like them but a bit of effort to get on. I bought pads from hoofboutique. There was an option of 3 different thicknesses to choose from.
I like the less clumpy ones for current pony but my old pony managed in clumpier old macs happily. The lower profile boots need a more accurate fit so fit kits are useful to find out what would work.

 

[catkin]

Each horse has very individual feet so what suits one may not suit another. I have two makes that I use on Fellboy for different jobs - Cavallos are easy to fit and forgiving of changing foot-shape if you need to put pads in, and they work well on road hacks - we found them very useful doing fittening work through this very soggy winter just gone. We also have Renegades and Scoots which are more sporty.

There are a couple of online shops that can help you figure out which boots will suit you by email/phone by way of photos, measurements etc. Have used both Urban Horse and Hoof Bootique - both very good and helpful.

 

[Gloi]

Whatever you choose, over time they work out a lot more economical than shoes.

 

[NikKnock]

Each horse has very individual feet so what suits one may not suit another. I have two makes that I use on Fellboy for different jobs - Cavallos are easy to fit and forgiving of changing foot-shape if you need to put pads in, and they work well on road hacks - we found them very useful doing fittening work through this very soggy winter just gone. We also have Renegades and Scoots which are more sporty.

There are a couple of online shops that can help you figure out which boots will suit you by email/phone by way of photos, measurements etc. Have used both Urban Horse and Hoof Bootique - both very good and helpful.

Lovely thanks so

 

[Bec26]

I use Flex boots and they are brilliant. They have stayed on at full gallop, through rivers and on 4 hour rides over all terrain with no rubbing.
I found the pads really helped when he was first barefoot and his hooves weren't a great shape from where he had been ripping his shoes off.

 

[millitiger]

My horse is transitioning to barefoot at the moment and wearing Cavallo Treks in the field.

They look pretty clumpy to me, however he seems very happy with them and they are making his transition easier and less painful.

Once he is back in work and doing more, I will probably look for something a bit closer fitting and sporty, so he can wear them on fun rides and for jumping etc.