Hoof boots

In the fast rising movement towards barefoot horse care, hoof boots are surely an important factor. Now we can provide comfort for horses that would otherwise be immobile with founder or navicular.

We can break the vicious cycle that links lack of movement with continuing hoof degeneration.

And we can do all this, using protection that flexes with the hoof.

The latest hoof boot advances are still very new. Turn to Pete Ramey’s 2003 book, Making natural horse care work for you. In the hoof boot section he writes, “the biggest advantage I see is that they get owners of horses in rehabilitation on their horses sooner”.

Now, visit Pete Ramey’s website. He views boots as a crucial tool in hoof rehabilitation. So simple is the concept of hoof boot insoles. Yet brilliantly, they can deliver extra stimulation to specific areas of the hoof.

And although moisture should seldom be encouraged in the hoof, soaker boots are useful for easing abscesses, and treating thrush (as mentioned).

Whether you’re riding, rehabilitating or soaking, hoof boots can bless your life on the horse. It’s almost always the fitting that lets people down. If you’re not having your boots fitted professionally, here are some tips to help you get the right size.

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 sections 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 be very different.

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, 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.