How hoof boots help the transition to barefoot

The greatest enemy of barefoot success lies not in whether the idea makes sense. It lies in owners’ lack of patience – which we’ve commented on elsewhere.

This is where hoof boots help.

Yes, it’s asking too much of a horse living on soft pastures to suddenly ride hard ground. So boots are there to aid it through transition.

Yes, a horse freshly trimmed against hoof may feel uncomfortable with more pressure on the soles. So boots will keep it comfortable through recovery.

And yes, it’s clearly cruel to force-walk a lame, foundered horse. But how else will you encourage movement, stimulating new hoof material? It’s here that boots can really pay for themselves.

Boots deal with more than difficult terrain. They’re for riding, but also rehabilitation.

A well-fitted boot flexes with the hoof, without putting your horse through strain.

Meanwhile, in-soles apply pressure to specific areas of the hoof. Suppose your horse is navicular, and suffers a shriveled, squashed frog. Pads that apply gentle pressure to the frog will stimulate recovery while walking.

Hoof boots properly used can make all the difference. But if you’re not careful they may leave you in despair. The difference is almost always in the fitting. So if you’re not having your boots fitted professionally…

Here are some tips for sizing up your horse

• Only begin measuring after a fresh trim. Boots allow for hoof growth, but are virtually impossible to use if they’re too big.
• Measure the width of the hoof at its widest point.
• Measure the length of the hoof from the toe to the heel buttress.
• Measure with a flat line over the soles and frog. The boot itself will be a platform for the weight-bearing parts of the hoof. In-soles are needed to stimulate other structures.
• If your horse has underrun heels, measure to where they should fall.
• Measure all four hooves. It seems obvious, but it’s easily forgotten. When it comes to the important millimeters, your horse’s hooves might vary quite a lot.
• Make sure the brand is appropriate for your horse. EasyCare Epics and Bares are popular. Old Mac G2s are also useful for wider, more round hooves. Easycare’s site is excellent for selecting the right boot from their range. Each option has charts for size, traction, difficultly to apply, hoof shape, recommended mileage, plus articles describing its function.

Remember, hoof boots are an aid for your horse. They are not to hide poor hooves. If you need boots as permanent crutches, there’s certainly an underlying problem. Look to your horse’s nutrition before anything else.

But all in all, when you do it right you’ll feel downright smug strapping on your horse’s boots. They trample on the fallacy that “barefoot doesn’t work”.

Free pdf here that you will love