Would Hoof Boots work?

Dizzleton

Dizzleton

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Hi all,

As some of you may know, my horse has had 6 months off work due to a severely bruised hoof which I think was caused by the March snow. He is a Belgian Warmblood and has very good, solid, strong hooves (still not really sure how he bruised it!) and is fully shod all round.

I am pondering on getting his some hoof boots, solely to use when it snows so he can be turned out during the day without snow balling up in his feet.

I have never used hoof boots boots before, would they be suitable for what I need?


Thanks!
 
Why don't you ask for farrier to make an insert to fit inside your shoe? Have seen anti-snow balling things on the market to buy for shod horses. Can't think of their name. Will go and have a google and post the link if I find it.

Can't find the ones I remember but plenty of ones on the web but I would speak to your farrier for advice


http://www.bigdweb.com/Snow-Horseshoe-Pads/productinfo/5894/#prettyPhoto[gallery] nofollow/0/

http://www.centaurforge.com/Castle-Draft-Snowball-Pads-Black/productinfo/465007/

http://store.slypnergear.com/sno-less-rim-pad-anti-snowball-pad-p172.aspx
 
Last edited:
Jnhuk said:
Why don't you ask for farrier to make an insert to fit inside your shoe? Have seen anti-snow balling things on the market to buy for shod horses. Can't think of their name. Will go and have a google and post the link if I find it.
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Thanks for the suggestion, while his hoof was healing he did have a leather pad fitted under his shoe to stop any nasty stones re-injuring the sole.

He said he wouldn't recommend them for wet/winter turnout as the can cause thrush and abscesses due to it holding water/mud etc.
 
Jnhuk said:
Just edited my last post with links so didn't see your last post.

What does your farrier think of the hoof boot option?
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I haven't discussed hoof boots with him yet and he's next due in December (although I can ring him). Just wondering if anyone had a similar problem with a good solution!
 
Yes I would think that hoof boots would work. I have heard vaseline or similar recommended, to be applied to the soles to stop snow sticking. Not sure whether or not it works though.
 
texas said:
Yes I would think that hoof boots would work. I have heard vaseline or similar recommended, to be applied to the soles to stop snow sticking. Not sure whether or not it works though.
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I did try vaseline, I put a whole tub on between four hooves and it still balled up!
 
I had very similar issues with my last horse and resorted to hoof boots over shoes. As long as you t/o with gaiters on they don't seem to rub and they definitely made a difference. I also applied equimins hoof hardener at night when he came in. I coughed up for old macs and they didn't wear through at all with shoes on compared to shoes off (I've done both.) Can't comment on cheaper brands though.
 
saddlesore said:
I had very similar issues with my last horse and resorted to hoof boots over shoes. As long as you t/o with gaiters on they don't seem to rub and they definitely made a difference. I also applied equimins hoof hardener at night when he came in. I coughed up for old macs and they didn't wear through at all with shoes on compared to shoes off (I've done both.) Can't comment on cheaper brands though.
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Thank you :)

He's fine being turned out normally any other time, and would most probably be ok without them in the snow, but after his bruising I am now worried it'll happen every time it snows!
 
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