I’ve always used the Italian Gum Bell Boots for 24/7 wear but the newest horse steps on them and rips holes in them within 2 weeks and it’s getting a little old. Any other suggestions for bell boots that can be worn 24/7 without causing rubbing? The reason he’s ruining them is the reason he has to wear them 24/7. He steps on them and pulls away when standing around even in his stall/cross ties etc. I can’t tell you how often he’s even pulled them off this way! I’ve had many suggestions of great bell boots but nothing that others leave on all the time, even in the stall. Thanks!
I’ve had the best luck with the Centaur double thick bottom bell boots. They are a bit of a pain to put on, but they stay put and hold up. Mine usually last a year to a year and a half with 24/7 use. My guy doesn’t rub easily, so YMMV in that regard if your horse is more sensitive-skinned.
ETA: they run about a size smaller than the Italian one’s, so if he’s in a large Italian, he’ll probably wear an extra large in the Centaur.
Are you sure they aren’t too big for him? When he’s standing square the bottom of the boot should just touch the ground without bunching up at the back of the foot.
I usually use whatever is on sale! My boy occasionally gets one off but I always find them in one piece!
I can wholeheartedly say: DONT GET THE DAVIS PVC BELLS. I went against many an opinion on old COTH threads about them rubbing and bought them anyways…about a week into 24.7 wearing, my horse had a nice rub on one of this pasterns. I’ve since swapped to professionals choice no turns, which have been fantastic at not only NOT rubbing, but holding up well, and being SUPER easy to clean. Someone recently gave me a pair of the gum ribbed rubber pull ons and he now lives in those and rides in the pro choices. Make sure you have the right size, he shouldn’t be stepping on them. They should just barely touch the ground in the back. I’ve had no problems with properly fitted boots…Just with the davis boots…the friction of the pvc on the pastern skin just wasn’t a good combo for my guy…but I find no issue with the gum ribbed pull ons!
My absolute favorite are the Professional’s Choice quick-wrap bell boots. My guy lived in his pair in SoCal and never had problems. He would pull the random shoe but he was wearing egg bars that were large than normal and his shenanigans were quite athletic. While he was in straight bars or regular shoes he never pulled one.
He’s got different shoes, and now lives in a pair of thick rubber ones that have velcro. I got them at the Jeffer’s tent at Rolex for $10. The only reason I don’t use the Prof Choice ones is they soak up mud, and in WI when it rains, we get mud. 
ETA - I too love the Prof Choice no-turns. He has lived in those as well, I just wanted a little more protection. I always ride in them though!
I wonder if your bell boots fit.
I use the Centaur bell boots because they fit perfectly on my horse’s front feet. They fall just to the ground and don’t rub at all, even though my horse wears them up front 24/7 (he’s a front shoe-puller). I tried other brands and styles, none fit my horse and covered his front shoes without being so long he stepped on them.
I succumb to the fact that I have to replace them every ~2 months (the velcro starts to tear), but it’s worth it. I take them off occasionally when it is very muddy because the mud cakes on his bulbs and doesn’t dry well.
I would not use prof choice or similar bell boots for turnout for the reasons you mentioned. They aren’t designed for turnout.
I use the Davis and Eskadron and have had no issues with either. I had major rub and fungal infection issues with the gummy Italian ones.
My guy is in them 24/7. For riding I switch to the Professionals Choice no turn boots.
Pull on Italian rubber ones with double thick bottoms in black – these are tougher than the gum color. That also means they are harder to get on and off the first few times.
https://www.nrsworld.com/horse-craft-products/premium-horse-craft-pull-on-bell-boots-11625
These. By God, they are the ugliest bell boots, but they hold up so well. I have a horse that could pull shoes through just about any bell boot. All of the ones listed above were no match for him. These ugly “ropers” bell boots stood up to his abuse. No rubs, no issues. Allowed him to keep his shoes on when nothing else worked.
I use the pull on Italian Gum bell boots. Never any rubs
[QUOTE=Obsidian Fire;8678579]
I use the Davis and Eskadron and have had no issues with either.[/QUOTE]
Davis boots here - 24/7 for my guy the last 4 months with no problem. Dry climate now, had a very wet winter.
Initial thought? Your bells are too big.
Added thoughts: I agree with others, don’t get the PVC ones. My horse got rubs that turned into scratches, which then resulted in him having to live out of his bells until the scratches cleared. He pulled shoes, and got a shoe boil. It was almost 4 months of dealing with the fallout from those stupid Davis bells. The ballistic no-turn ones aren’t really great for turnout IMO, they soak up moisture and can[ turn in the right conditions which will rub like crazy.
My horse is terribly hard on bells and I have tried many many different brands. I’ve had the best luck with these: https://www.horseloverz.com/horse-equipment/horse-bell-boots/equus-ribbed-bell-boots-made-in-england
He’s going on 7 months with these and they look brand new. Before that he was on a 1 month cycle at the most, with any other brand I tried. These are thick, but easy to pull on/off if I want to change him out for something else.
The Eskadron ones that are the super plush suede! Having trouble finding them right now though! They are so soft!
