Which hoof boots?

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I have recently taken he shoes off my new gelding, we are 2 months in and he’s doing great but still feels his feet a little when on a stony track. I’d like to get him some boots for his fronts for our longer rides but am not sure where to start.
Can anyone recommend any brands? He is a trad cob with 15cm long/wide feet. I have looked at the various Cavallo models but don’t know much about them.
 
My Gypsy Cob has front boots. His feet are the same length/width, and I found Cavallo Simples to be good.

The people at Hoof Boutique are very knowledgeable if you wanted to contact them for advice. You can also hire boots and get fitting kits from them for some models.
 
Scoots all the way! I recently bought a pair for one horse and was so impressed I have just bought another pair for a different horse. I’ve previously had renegades, epics and cavallos and none come close to scoots.

However I’ve got some 4WW Renegades for sale should you be that way inclined lol.
 
Just transitioning my mare now, too. I was thinking of Cavallo treks or scoots (am in dialogue with one of the hoof boot specialist suppliers).

FW, would the scoots allow for the hoof size to change as she transitions? Thought the treks might be a bit more forgiving?
 
I don't like the cavallos for doing much in at all, their breakover is too far forwards for me to be happy with them. I've always used something much lower profile (easyboot gloves in my case). FWIW Frank's hoof did change transitioning but he is still in the same size boot, however I was prepared to get a different pair and flog the others second hand if needed. So although yes some others are more forgiving that comes with a compromise and I think I'd rather spend a few more ££ instead (but we also had a dx that meant breakover was important.)
 
Thanks all - hoof boutique is my new favourite website! I’ll double check his measurements and then might try and hire some to try first.
Ester - when you say breakover, what do you mean? ��
 
the point at which the hoof leaves the ground, long toes or artificially lengthening the toe which is unavoidable if you put a boot round it means it occurs later and puts the biomechanics under more strain. The faster you go the more important a fast breakover becomes as the more force is being applied.

http://www.thehorse.com/articles/14185/the-basics-of-breakover

All of the boot websites will advise too :)
 
Tiddlypom said:
Just transitioning my mare now, too. I was thinking of Cavallo treks or scoots (am in dialogue with one of the hoof boot specialist suppliers).

FW, would the scoots allow for the hoof size to change as she transitions? Thought the treks might be a bit more forgiving?
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Personally if possible I would buy some second hand and prepare to buy another pair second hand if she changes. Although is she the one with the giant feet like mine? If she’s going to be a size 9 scoot, you’ll need to buy new I reckon. However if her feet shrink, you’ll easily sell them as they aren’t available second hand yet due to being so new. However I would be aiming for no boots so wouldn’t really expect to need more than one size unless her feet are drastic?

I hacked the big lad out with his new hind one (yes one, only one has arrived so far!) and it was blinking fabulous too. Never moved.

I hate cavallos personally. Other than being easy to put on (so are scoots!) they have absolute no good points and many bad. Grip is scary bad, they rub, twist and fall off and as Ester says the breakover is rubbish.

If you buy new scoots I reckon you would only lose a max of 40 on a pair if you sold them second hand which is a pair of front shoes so...

Another scoot tip is both of mine close with a v at the front. Bigger than what it says on the tin it should be but it’s not causing any issue. I think you need them as close fitting as possible. If they slap around they are too big. Just my initial findings!

Oh and friend let me know that the saddlery shop online are doing them cheaper this week.
 
Thanks, FW.

Mare's hooves are between 14.3cm and 15.0cm wide, and 14.5cm and 15.0 cm long. I'm getting the fit kits for the slim and regular treks in sizes 4 and 5, and the scoots in sizes 6,7,8,9.

She did really well on the roads barefoot on days 1 and 2, but day 3 was asking too much and she's a bit sore now.

These fit kits are a brilliant idea.
 
Thanks for the recommendation of the hoof boutique - Liz has been really helpful. I ordered a fit kit for the scoot boots and have tried the sample sizes on him this morning. We appear to have 1 hoof that’s an 8 and 1 hoof that’s a 9. Though the 8 was really very snug so I think I will go with size 9’s and just tighten the boot slightly more on the smaller hoof?
Any experiences of a horse between sizes - did you go up a size or down a size? My thinking is that I can make something a tiny bit too big fit better than I can something that is just too small (I struggled to get the 8 onto his bigger hoof).
 
Scoots are better to be a close fit so I’d be wary about getting the 9 for the foot the 8 fits. Take pics of the fit of both and send them to Liz for advice. I’ve got two horses wearing them now although my cob hardly needs them already but not had any issues with rubs or moving at all.
 
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I recently got scoots after getting a fit kit too (although mine came from Urban Horse (who like HB are really helpful).

My mare is in between sizes too on her OH, after getting advice from UH I've gone for the bigger size. They do need to be snug, but not too tight, which is quite a fine line. Have you tried the twist test yet, they musn't twist more than 5mm? I sent Carolyn a bucket load of pics of the boots from various angles so she could advise on the fit.

T loves hers, and strides out on the gravelly lane which was causing us problems before like a good 'un. She's an 8 in both fronts, and 7s behind, though the near hind is tight in the 7. An 8 on the NH is too big, though. They haven't rubbed or twisted at all.

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I found the real boots to be a slightly snugger fit than the shells.

T is not long out of shoes, so her feet may well change size, and I may have to reassess fit quite often.
 
I know I'm a bit late to the party..

I got cavello initially - but they seemed quite clumpy. Then got some equine fusion boots on trial.

I preferred the equine fusions, really easy to put on and a good fit without being clumpy.
 
T walking out nicely, showing a good heelfirst landing! Hopefully we have finally got on top of all her niggles, so all ready to start ridden work again. But now her saddle no longer fits, gah! Waiting on the saddle fitter coming out...

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This is the near hind, the trickier fit, in its size 7. It measures 15.0cm wide by 14.5cm long. Nice Urban Horse lady reckons this fits ok, as although the gap at the front is wider than ideal, there is room at the heel and it doesn't twist or rub. An 8 was too loose, and failed the twist test.

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I'm sure that the Hoof Boutique lady will talk you through it all, though.
 
Thanks all - will put the sample sizes back on him this morning and go the twist test.
Re space at the heel- how much is ideal? I could get a finger between the strap at the back and his heel on both sizes.
Also, revthe fit at the front - neither boot came together st the front, Both had a V shape. Is this an issue? Will take some photos today.
 
Equine fusion are good starter boots and they do not rub. I've worn mine for about 6 hours once.
 
Both my pairs have a ridiculous v. The 9s I have obviously were the biggest I could get, and the HB said if I could get them closed and a finger in the back T bar then it was ok. She has one foot bigger than the other and the big foot it is a case of only just fits. Can’t use the gaiters on her and have to keep her feet well clipped as even a couple of mm of hair pushes them over the edge

My other horse I have them on his hinds and the v is even wider on him. The shell part is however easy to put on. With him I accept I might go through more front straps as they are over stretched but they don’t do slims in his size and the next size up would be too big. I got his second hand and just tried them to see what happens, which is definitely better than buying new and wondering if you’ve just lost on them when you take them off the towel, lol, but if you’re at the top of the sizes you are kind of stuck for second hand as they only just brought out the 9s. Although if you’re near me you can try mine ;)
 
Sandstone1 said:
I'm trying to find some hoof boots for a recovering laminitic pony.
Has anyone used boots for this?
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what do you mean by recovering? If you mean wandering around a yard, just living etc then easyboot RX's are excellent for that sort of thing. I have used them on a recovering laminitic pony very successfully. For her they made the difference between keeping her and seriously considering her future.
 
paddy555 said:
what do you mean by recovering? If you mean wandering around a yard, just living etc then easyboot RX's are excellent for that sort of thing. I have used them on a recovering laminitic pony very successfully. For her they made the difference between keeping her and seriously considering her future.
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Yes. That's what I mean. He's a companion pony anyway so won't be expected to work. He has very soft soles at the moment which is why vet recommend hoof boots.
I'm waiting til tomorrow to speak to either hoof boutique or urban horse to get some advise on fitting etc
He's had xrays deep bed Bute etc
Now has very soft soles so hoping the boots may help?
Anyone else used boots in a situation like this please.
Also did your insurance pay for them?
They are recommended by vet but petplan seem unlikely to pay.
 
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Sandstone1 said:
Yes. That's what I mean. He's a companion pony anyway so won't be expected to work. He has very soft soles at the moment which is why vet recommend hoof boots.
I'm waiting til tomorrow to speak to either hoof boutique or urban horse to get some advise on fitting etc
He's had xrays deep bed Bute etc
Now has very soft soles so hoping the boots may help?
Anyone else used boots in a situation like this please.
Also did your insurance pay for them?
They are recommended by vet but petplan seem unlikely to pay.
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In that case I think they would work well. Enlightened vet! They come with a pad in. You can add a 2nd pad which in your case may be a good idea. (you buy pads from HB or UH)
They size quite small so your size may well depend if you want a 2nd pad.

I ordered a couple of sizes and sent one back. That worked best as I would have struggled sizing just from the measurements.

I paid for mine as I don't insure.
If you go for these try to keep everything dry. Remove the boots daily and dry towel them. Use athlete's foot powder in them. You are trying to cut down fungal infection. Dry towel the feet daily. Don't wash anything with water and let them get wet. If poss let him wander for an hour or so on something like rubber mats or your deep bed to give his feet a break from the boots. I used mine 24/7 with a few hours break on rubber mats. She went out to the field in them but she was very quiet.
 
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