To the shoeless

[Spirit7]

Hi to all of you currently using boots for normal work (not rehab) what are you using on the fronts and what have you stopped using and why.
I’m upping my just 4 year olds hacking and want front boots to avoid any bruising or abcesses as stony tracks here and there and I want to continue his hacking all summer uninterrupted a few times a week.
So what’s good atm as my last info was 2011 when I rehabbed my now 21 nearly 22 year old who uses equine fushion ultra terrain jogging shoe but I want something more slimline and practical as youngster has near perfect foot structure atm. Thanks a lot

 

[Gloi]

I used to used Easyboot Epics for years and found them good. Tried Easyboot Gloves which came off in canter. Have used Scoots for a few years and they've been fine with mud straps on the fronts . Now just use Hoof Armour unless I'm going somewhere extremely challenging when the Scoots are dug out.

 

[Spirit7]

I used to used Easyboot Epics for years and found them good. Tried Easyboot Gloves which came off in canter. Have used Scoots for a few years and they've been fine with mud straps on the fronts . Now just use Hoof Armour unless I'm going somewhere extremely challenging when the Scoots are dug out.

Thanks. I don’t need daily protection otherwise hood armour could be an option but would rather leave feet to fully develop with upper work I think….

 

[Gloi]

Thanks. I don’t need daily protection otherwise hood armour could be an option but would rather leave feet to fully develop with upper work I think….

I've not found it to stop the feet developing.

 

[paddy555]

renegade vipers top of the list for me.
2nd choice is gloves.

Vipers for a lot of mud for grip, gloves wear best if constant roadwork

bottom of the list are scoots. Don't stay on in mud, mud straps a pain to put on but most of all they damaged (as in created bleeding mess) on 2 different horses.

 

[Fieldlife]

Minefield, - I like exploras, quite like Evos, dont like Scoots / sneakers / flex. But know many that do like Scoots.

 

[Peglo]

I wanted scoots but they don’t fit my horses hooves so went with gloves. I like them.

Your best bet will be taking photos and sending to hoof boutique or urban horse to see what would fit your horse.

 

[Spirit7]

renegade vipers top of the list for me.
2nd choice is gloves.

Vipers for a lot of mud for grip, gloves wear best if constant roadwork

bottom of the list are scoots. Don't stay on in mud, mud straps a pain to put on but most of all they damaged (as in created bleeding mess) on 2 different horses.

Thanks I tried Scoots when they came out. They are too hard and fixed around the buttress I think. Thinking of renegades or maybe Evos after my day’s investigations

 

[Spirit7]

I wanted scoots but they don’t fit my horses hooves so went with gloves. I like them.

Your best bet will be taking photos and sending to hoof boutique or urban horse to see what would fit your horse.

I've not found it to stop the feet developing.

No it probably won’t but I prefer something to take off - I’ve used HA about 6 years ago and didn’t take to it although it’s effective….looking for a modern boot! Thank you

 

[Spirit7]

I wanted scoots but they don’t fit my horses hooves so went with gloves. I like them.

Your best bet will be taking photos and sending to hoof boutique or urban horse to see what would fit your horse.

Thanks, my trimmer is pretty good in her field, saved my boys life in 2011 after PTS advice by Bell Equine (Lucy Priory) has given me the perimeters of what fits so interested in general public tried and tested…

 

[ycbm]

I tried Cavallos but they rubbed. I moved to Vipers which I firmly believe are the least likely of any boot to rub and are right up there with the least clunky. Having used them I wouldn't go back to any other current boot while they are still available.
.

 

[paddy555]

Thanks I tried Scoots when they came out. They are too hard and fixed around the buttress I think. Thinking of renegades or maybe Evos after my day’s investigations

yes.

 

[Barton Bounty]

With Scoots initial fitting they are meant to be warmed with hot water to soften them and put them on your hoof. Then they mould to the shape, easy to get on and off.

 

[southerncomfort]

I have scoots all round on Bo.

The front ones are great but the back ones have started rubbing, so I'm going to look at exploras for his hinds.

 

[Marigold4]

I use Equine Fusion All Terrrains

 

[Melandmary]

I use flex boots, I am a newbie really to boots- I once tried cavallos years ago but didn’t rate them. The flex boots stay on in mud, mainly I do road work and stoney paths.

 

[Red-1]

I like the Explora Magic for the fronts. They even stayed on in a muddy hunt ride. However, they twist terribly when I use them on the rears.

I found Flex ones too slippery in mud but they are great on the roads.

So, if road working we use Magics on the front and Flex on the back. If mixed terrain, we use just the fronts and go bare behind.

 

[marmalade88]

Hi to all of you currently using boots for normal work (not rehab) what are you using on the fronts and what have you stopped using and why.
I’m upping my just 4 year olds hacking and want front boots to avoid any bruising or abcesses as stony tracks here and there and I want to continue his hacking all summer uninterrupted a few times a week.
So what’s good atm as my last info was 2011 when I rehabbed my now 21 nearly 22 year old who uses equine fushion ultra terrain jogging shoe but I want something more slimline and practical as youngster has near perfect foot structure atm. Thanks a lot

I’ve had vipers on fronts and sometimes hinds of my thoroughbred for years. They stay on even in deep mud and all but the fastest canter work, and they’ve never rubbed him. I chuck them in a bucket of water when I get back from muddy rides (clay so it needs to soak off) then hose them off and hang to dry. I really rate them.

 

[lynz88]

I've been using flex but have been tempted by the explora magics recently due to the adjustability, grip, and it looks to provide more protection.

 

[Jambarissa]

I'd speak to hoof boutique or urban horse , the best boots are the ones that fit and different brands fit different hoof shapes.

My cobs are in scoots, they've never rubbed or come off but they do seem to be a perfect fit. New ones now come with gaiters to wrap round the heels whilst you break them in.

Draft horse is in easy boot epics because they're the only ones that anywhere near fit and even then only if I keep his feet trimmed weekly. Seem fine.

 

[Roasted Chestnuts]

Love my scoot boots. Can’t wait to get my boy back to barefoot!

 

[Spirit7]

I tried Cavallos but they rubbed. I moved to Vipers which I firmly believe are the least likely of any boot to rub and are right up there with the least clunky. Having used them I wouldn't go back to any other current boot while they are still available.
.

Helpful. Thank you. Cavellos Simple’s have been a god send for abcesses and turnout over the years. Vipers looking good!

 

[Spirit7]

I've been using flex but have been tempted by the explora magics recently due to the adjustability, grip, and it looks to provide more protection.

not heard of these will investigate.

 

[Spirit7]

I'd speak to hoof boutique or urban horse , the best boots are the ones that fit and different brands fit different hoof shapes.

My cobs are in scoots, they've never rubbed or come off but they do seem to be a perfect fit. New ones now come with gaiters to wrap round the heels whilst you break them in.

Draft horse is in easy boot epics because they're the only ones that anywhere near fit and even then only if I keep his feet trimmed weekly. Seem fine.

Thanks I know hoof boutique well and already have pro advice as to what will fit as per my posts just interested in pros and cons of what’s been used. I don’t like scoots used them first time they came out but too hard for my liking.

 

[Spirit7]

Love my scoot boots. Can’t wait to get my boy back to barefoot!

Good luck

 

[Spirit7]

I’ve had vipers on fronts and sometimes hinds of my thoroughbred for years. They stay on even in deep mud and all but the fastest canter work, and they’ve never rubbed him. I chuck them in a bucket of water when I get back from muddy rides (clay so it needs to soak off) then hose them off and hang to dry. I really rate them.

Defo between them and the Evos I think

 

[Spirit7]

Has anyone used Evos please?

 

[Fieldlife]

I've been using flex but have been tempted by the explora magics recently due to the adjustability, grip, and it looks to provide more protection.

I’ve got 4 x explora magic size 3 regular for F? If want a closer look?

 

[Fieldlife]

Has anyone used Evos please?

Me on several horses. More adjustable than magic; nearly as good grip, easier to put on. My horse can sometimes pull one off behind, I think he treads on it with other hind foot.

 

[FitzyFitz]

I've been using flex but have been tempted by the explora magics recently due to the adjustability, grip, and it looks to provide more protection.

exploras are harder to get on than flex (top tip, jam them on about half way then walk pony round the yard before doing up, they step right into them) but they are my favourite boot over all.
Good grip on anything but short slick grass (everything slides on that!) and plenty of adjustment ability. The company that makes them is super helpful with fine tuning and once they're fitted they stay on through anything and don't rub. I did 55km of mountain riding last year, wet grass, bog, rocks, gravel, slick tarmac, and they stayed put and not a single rub.
Luckily they fit the 2 horses i ride the most often, the others are in flex or vipers both of which I also quite like. Have used scoots and old macs in the past, quite rate the old macs honestly, very protective and stay on, bit tedious to put on though.