Bell Boots Rubbing..any Suggestions?

[Big_Tag]

I just acquired a lovely OTTB, whose only fault thus far is extremely thin skin. His bell boots (for turnout) had rubbed the back of his pasterns raw in two nights of turnout. So I stopped putting them on and in two more nights, he pulled a front shoe I am not sure if it is the brand (Roma plastic velcro) or just him or what, so turning to the COTH collective: Anyone else dealt with this or have any ideas? I’d really like to be able to use bell boots of him for TO and also under saddle, he does overreach pretty consistently.

Thanks!

[keysfins]

Once the rubs heal, you could try the sheepskin or fleece lined ones. Possibly ThinLine, too, as an option.

[SolarFlare]

If you do use fleecy ones, make sure you keep them clean. Otherwise the dirt will end up rubbing them too.

You might also try the gum rubber pull-on bell boots too - they are softer material than the plastic, and the lack of seam is one less place to rub. I used to have a pair of silcone bell boots that were the softest type I’d ever felt. Not sure if they still sell them but they were cheap too.

The worst brand I had used for rubbing is the Davis ones. My mare never rubbed in any other brand than those.

[Trails]

My mare lives 24/7 in front bell boots as does another horse at the barn. Neither have ever had rubs. We buy the soft, very flexible rubber pull ons.

[ElementFarm]

I’ve had several horses who required 24/7 bellboots. I find the rubber pull-on ones are the best. They are a pain to deal with (I prefer velcro) but the smooth gummi rubber hasn’t caused issues on any of mine. I have some fleece lined ones, but once the get stuff stuck to them, they’ll be more abrasive than non-fleece. Just get a couple of pairs of the pull-on ones, and make sure you treat the current rubs – you don’t want the small sores getting infected and turning into large ones.

[Big_Tag]

Yeah, I am starting to think my plastic ones were a mistake. I actually had a pair of gum rubber ones for him, but couldn’t get them over his feet… So maybe I’ll try another pair of them.

[Skip_s_Rider]

I’ve had good luck with the Centaur heavy duty ribbed bell boots. They’re rubber like the pull-ons, but they have velcro.

I’m not fond of the fleece ones for turnout because of the dirt (mentioned above), and the fleece stays wet for a long time.

[CatchMeIfUCan]

[QUOTE=Big_Tag;8235336]
Yeah, I am starting to think my plastic ones were a mistake. I actually had a pair of gum rubber ones for him, but couldn’t get them over his feet… So maybe I’ll try another pair of them.[/QUOTE]

Hoof picks for stretching and some slippery stuff like baby oil on his feet.

[trubandloki]

Another vote for rubber pull on type.

Fleece is hard to keep clean enough to not cause more troubles than it solves if you are using them for turn out.

[fordtraktor]

The gum rubber ones. The Italian ones are the best. The Centaur ones are OK, get the double thick bottom ones… Gum color is easier to stretch than the black and white, though I prefer the look of the black ones and the white ones are the easiest to find in the paddock when my horse gets them off.

Put them in the hot sun on something black for an hour before putting them on…helps them get a bit softer.

Don’t use fleece for turnout, it will get sand in it, hold the sand and grind the sand into the skin with every movement. Not good!

[Dune]

I’ve used the Professional Choice wrap around bell boots with success. Just a thought if the rubber pull-ons don’t work for you.

[Abbie.S]

The fleece-lined ones will work if the turnout area isn’t super muddy or wet and you are out every day to brush them off and fluff the fleece back up. Ask me how I know.

I would also recommend the gum ones, but be advised: after wearing them 24/7 for a couple months after she first got shoes, my mare also had rubs. Mild, for sure, but the hair was gone. So now I alternate then with the fleece.

[jawa]

Mine only got rubs if the bell boots were too long for his hoof. If the bell boot gets pushed up every time his hoof hits the ground, it would rub. I would trim the bottom so that it protected his heel bulb and shoe, but wouldn’t hit the ground with each stride.

All bets are off if you are turning them out in the snow.

With pull on boots you get more bang for your buck, especially with the double thick at the bottom ones.

Dunk the boot in a bucket of water and have a hoof pick ready. I don’t like to use oil, because then I can’t get a grip on ANYTHING!

[J-Lu]

Another vote for Centaur! I have these:
http://www.doversaddlery.com/Centaur--Ribbed-PVC-Bell-Boots/p/X1-04421/eid=X18A00U1005/?utm_source=shopz&utm_medium=CSE&utm_campaign=MerchantAdv&zmam=1460880&zmas=1&zmac=125&zmap=0004421008994X1-04421

Sorry, that’s a long link. Basically, Centaur Rubbed PVC Bell Boots from Dover. My horse has them on the front 27/7 except for riding because he’s short coupled and a miracle shoe puller…even with these bell boots.

FOR US: I tried the rubber gummy slip on bell boots, but they didn’t cover the back of his foot all the way down to the bottom of his shoes. In other words, unlike what Jawa is saying, they didn’t push up when he walked and so they wouldn’t have given the shoe protection in the back. My farrier specifically warned me against using “no turn” boots or boots with fleece, because they tend to hold in dirt and moisture and cause problems. He specifically said he wanted boots that would “push up” a little when he walked so the bottom would cover the back of the shoe.

The centaurs are roomy enough (for MY horse) that they don’t rub. If it is very wet out, they rub a little on the bulb and mud can build up there. Luckily, they hose and towel off well, and occasionally I’ll give my horse a day off.

[Ceylon_Star]

My friend’s OTTB can only wear the glittery PVC velcro bell boots by Centaur. Even the gum pull ons rubbed him. The shape of the glitter Centaurs fit him well, there is enough flex/stretch that they hold up well to his antics (especially when, god forbid, a horse leaves the paddock area! Gasp!). They were also the only bell boots that her ex lease horse couldn’t kill, and her new guy is actually wearing lease horse’s hand me downs that were worn for a year, and while scuffed, they are still in great shape!

[huntcup]

Gum rubber, Italian, slightest bit of vaseline will get you enough slip over the hoof without getting a mess everywhere.

[trubandloki]

I guess this thread proves that it depends on the particular horse what works best.

I never had any luck with the PVC type boots. Too stiff. They rubbed sores at the top and where the corner was at the gap (at the top).

My sensitive boy only did well (he wore them 24/7) in the pull on gum rubber style.

I would avoid adding anything that dirt will stick to (fleece, oil, Vaseline, etc) because adding dirt just makes for more rubs.

[Jeito]

The pull-on rubber boots work best for me. My super sensitive mare wears them pretty much 24/7. I have the Centaur (the nicer ones they make). Gum are stretchier but blacks are prettier and work just fine. I’ve had so much luck with these boots that other boarders who were using ones with velcro switched to mine. There is a trick to getting them on, but it’s worth it. I agree about not adding anything like Vaseline.

[BoyleHeightsKid]

Gum rubber pulls on are great and seem to take more of a beating than the other colors. Warming them up in some hot water will help with ease of getting them on.

Do make sure they fit correctly and that they just touch the ground. If they bunch up at the back of the pastern they will rub.

[thatmoody]

I use the pro choice ones for mine (he’s in them 24-7) but he’s got pretty thick skin. For my old TB I used to use the expensive italian gum ones - they are a pain to get on (warm them first) but once they’re on, I’ve never had them rub