I read that you are to measure the hoof right after a trim, is that correct? My mare is not quite ready for a trim, being barefoot she has been pacing all around the pasture on some firm ground and keeps her feet in fairly good shape, not too long. Is it okay to take a measurement anyway? What if you measure right after a trim, after a few weeks will the boots be too small? I guess I should find a farrier willing to teach me to trim so I can keep up. Are the measurement guides pretty accurate? I’m going to go with the Boas, I think (that’s what they have at my local TS)
morganfilly,
i think winona mentioned in her original post that it takes more effort to put the boots on the longer it’s been since the trim.
there is obviously some flexibility and the reason they want you to measure for the boots right after trim is to make sure that the boots aren’t too large, however, unless your horse grows no hoof, 8 weeks after the trim you will work harder to get those boots on. i trim my mare every 2-3 weeks so it’s not a huge problem, however, on those occasions when i didn’t trim for a while, i could definitely tell the difference.
Found another tip to make putting the bares on easier…talcum powder. I used Golds medicated. Read about it somewhere and they slid right on!
I did measure just after a trim and with a little “filing of the edges” every 2-3 weeks the boots have been fitting well.
I have not removed the comfort/back strap yet, but I do not use the nylon strap to pull them on. With the bares it is not necessary…not sure about regular easyboots.
My big test is coming…miles of riding for several days in a row this next week. Hope everything goes well.
Powder, hmmm? I’d never have thought of that! But as long as I keep Bonita’s feet trimmed, I have no problem getting the boots on now, other than the blasted strap. Glad to see that someone has had success without bothering with the nylon strap step. I’ll be sure to try that!
[QUOTE=winona;2471701]
I have not removed the comfort/back strap yet, but I do not use the nylon strap to pull them on. With the bares it is not necessary…not sure about regular easyboots.[/QUOTE]
Is it true that you don’t need to pull the back strap up on the Bares? Where did you hear this? I would like to skip that step but I thought it was important to do.
I’ve been using the Bares this past ride season on the fronts only and will use them on all 4 in a few weeks so have been breaking in the hind set. I jokingly call them the not-so-Easyboot Bares-to-put-on but they do get easier as you use them and get some miles on them. I replaced the heel strap with the tapers so I don’t use the nylon strap to put them on. You can work them on without the strap. A rubber mallet is handy to help seat the boot. And another tool I’ve been using to help me pull up the gaiters without tugging and stressing the stitching is a very blunt 3/4 inch wide chisel–I use it a bit like a shoehorn so the gaiter has something easy to slide over. I’ve not tried the powder but that sounds like a great idea and using Gold Bond may help prevent some irritation as well. Add that to my shopping list!
As far as rubs go, I had the worst imaginable rubs at first–we are talking hamburger on the backs of the pasterns and above the heels. I was using vetrap but it didn’t help. Then I went down a boot size . . . rubs be gone! The nasty rubs were caused by the too loose boot shifting, making the gaiters move. I will still get the odd rub here and there but they seem to be more along the top of the gaiter and where the stitching is and are very small. I used Body Glide on the pasterns and then rubbed-in hair wax across the stitching which seemed to do the trick. I’ve not used vetrap since going to the smaller boot.
I don’t think there is any one solution to boot issues. I just compile other people’s findings and experiment. The boots aren’t something you can just decide to use the day of some big event. If you do that, you’ll truly be hating life! They are a pain to put on for a shorter workout but you’ve just got to do it to troubleshoot the various issues associated with boot usage. Like the others have said, you start out on the loosest settings and as you use the boots, you can tighten the settings up to get a better fit. And you sure can fill up your swear jar in the process of getting them broken in!
I think I did about 500 endurance miles in boots this season. While there have been moments of aggravation, I’m happy overall with keeping my horses barefoot and using the boots. Even though I’m in Florida and most of our rides can be done barefoot, I like the protection the boots offer. Some of our forest managers use limerock to resolve mud problems. I can tell the difference in the way my horses travel down these areas from when they had shoes to now using boots over bare hooves. They seem a lot happier and I now worry less about that rock with my name on it.
Now if only we could do something about those roots with my name on them!!
''I think I did about 500 endurance miles in boots this season. ‘’
How are the boots wearing? Same boots all season? I’d like to know if the boots are more cost efficient than shoes…
The boots are wearing fine. My miles were spread across 3 pairs–one pair of size 1 Bares that I did 200 miles in (plus conditioning rides) before deciding they were too large, a pair of Epics that I did at least one 50 miler plus conditioning rides, and the smaller Bares that have done the rest of the miles. So far, the actual boot components look barely used. However, the gaiters have taken a hit, mostly from my struggles to pull them up. I’ve had some stitching come loose and have a hole at the end of one area of stitching on the newer Bares but the gaiters are still serviceable. I blew both cables on the Epics with little use. I may have been overtightening them. So I bought some cable that was a bit thicker from Tractor Supply and made my own replacements which are a bit harder to feed through the areas they run through but they’ve not frayed. I suspect the boot parts will last for many miles and it will be the gaiters that will wear to the point of needing replacement.
I’ll be doing a ride in 2 weeks that is said to have rock and gravel roads. We’ll see how the boots look after that. Most of my rides have been on sandy footing with occasional sections of limerock so I don’t think the boots are truly getting much abuse from the terrain.
I pretty much use the Simple boots for riding because unlike Easy boots, Simple is really Easy!
One tip that you might not have thought of is to use the Boa gaiter with the epics or bares. The little plate on the bottom of the boa gaiter keeps it in place and because it actually covers the heel bulbs, I have not had any rubs doing it that way. I use the Boa gaiter with the Simple boots too.
I don’t ride like you guys though. Probably only an hour or so at a time.
Need to be snug
The first pair I got were to Big. Just barely but enougn that I lost both of them in deed yucky mud. I went down a size and they are fine. For them to stay on they have to be hard to get on. If there is a gap between the hoof and the front bungee they will come off in sticky deep mud.I have not had any problems with the gaiter rubbing. The traction has been good over any thing I have ridden. This time of year I do sweat a lot putting them on. My boys feet are a little wider than they are long. Once I get the sides past the ends of the quarters they go on fine. Still takes some tapping to get them seated. My horse adapted to them very quickly. Just a few steps. I am very satisfied with them.
took me two minutes to put on my Cavallo simple boots yesterday (with the boa gaiters, yes, those things are great). Since we often only go for 30 minute hacks up the gravel road I can’t imagine even trying a boot that is complicated to put on.
I attended a Pete Ramey clinic this weekend, and he never once used the nylon strap to pull a boot on. Neither do I! With gaiters, the boots don’t need to be adjusted quite as tightly as Easyboots without giaters. Bares are not designed to be ridden without the gaiters, so you might want to try plain old Easyboots for a CTR that doesn’t allow anything above the coronet. My guy pulls Easyboots off within a few strides every time I’ve tried them.
Pete presented a lot of really interesting information about strength and development in the back of the foot that gives me hope that maybe even my flat-footed boy will someday be able to do trails without boots at all. His lateral cartileges feel underdeveloped (I can twist his heel bulbs with my hands) and that in a couple more years of good heel first landings, this part of his hoof may be strong enough to handle rocks barefoot. Then we can do CTR. I like endurance, but I also really like CTR and would like to be able to do both.
For those of us who have problems with the front clips on the Epics, Easycare has “EasyUp” clips. I haven’t installed them yet, but I’m hoping they are more durable than the clips. My wires have gotten chewed up as well, but this happens when either the boot is too lose or when the clips get wrenched as my boy steps hard on the back of the boot. I had to cut the lip of the back of the boot so he wouldn’t yank it off and rip the gaiters.
Thanks for all the great info presented here on Bares. You guys are awesome!
I have been using the Cavello Simple Boots for a while. They fit really snug, too snug for vet wrap or the pastern wrap they sell with it. They still rub on the backs of the hooves, above the bulbs, and leave some red marks, bruising?? I think I like my borrowed Old Mac’s better, but they might be too big. I am probably going to break down and shoe him this week for the first time, since I have had him for a year. He’s really broken big chips out of this hoof, worn down his right toe, and our trails are pure rock. 
Bank of Dad
i find that putting a nice roll on their hoof really helps with chipping.
but more importantly, give epics or bares a try. they work much better than old macs and you will save yourself $ in the long run since you won’t have to pay for shoes every couple of months and your horse will benefit b/c he will remain barefoot.
I have a feeling there is something of a trick to getting the boots on, regardless of which type. I tried my Easy Boot Epics for the first time this week (in the arena first, they are going on down the trail for the first time tomorrow). I had already removed the heel strap/cleats and replaced with a taper. Well, I was struggling and swearing to get them on, and my hubby came over to help me…bing, bang, boom. He had the boot on in less than 30 seconds. And, I don’t think they are too big – I was able to get the cable tight enough that I had to use my foot to press it down.
I’ll post a report on how they do on the trail. The good news was I didn’t feel any change in her gait with the boots on (fronts only for right now).
karenc
what also helps on these boots w/ gaiters, is to flip the gaiter down all the way. to help with that, after you ride, hose off the boots and flip the gaiter down and let them dry that way. this way when you’re putting the boots on, the gaiter doesn’t get in your way.
Most of my rides have been under or at 2 hours and I had no issues with bares being loose or rubs. Went camping with the horse for two days. Rode many, many miles. I think 5 hours one day and 6 the next. It was sandy/rocky terrain. Had a lot of sand in the boots even with plumbers putty…most of worked itself down or out. Also had a small rub on one leg…just above the heel where the gaiter lies. The other three legs, same area, looked like sunburn and flaked off over the next few days.
I am still happy with them, as that is unfortunately the only long rides I’ll probably get it this year. BUT…I would like this problem resolved in case I can do it again. OF note…this is a paso fino and she gaited great!! I think better than she previously did in shoes.
I impressed a few die-hard shoe people. Had a bunch of people checking out the boots. Many had tried, or knew of someone who had tried others----simple boots, old Macs and weren’t happy.
So, will be checking out ways to prevent rubs. It is not the sizing…these are the right size.
And for the person who asked if they are durable…I mainly rides on rocky dirt roads and trails littered with rocks and roots. I have ridden perhaps 5 hours weekly since late March and the only thing showing any wear would be the gaiter and it is a long way from needing replacement. Oh…the comfort pads I use were pancakes after the above ride…after use since March!
winona
wrap the hoof up through the pastern with vetwrap that will take care of those ‘rubs.’ i did that at the foxcatcher b/c i was using one brand new gaiter. it worked great. i think i may use it from now on in all competitions or at least those that have considerable amounts of sand. i’ve never used putty on the boots. do you think it’s worth it? how do you use it?
Marta…if you thought the wraps worked I’ll try it.
For my shorter rides the putty worked good. Now that everything is drying up I was collecting some bits of sand in the boots. Not much ends up under the foot though. The putty worked great for the shorter rides. Maybe I didn’t use enough for the longer ride. Might try the easyfoam if I’m going to do another long ride.
I tried vet wrap yesterday and the gaiters still rubbed. So I think the Epics are out for me, for rides over say 2 hours. I may try foaming regular easy boots on or maybe the Bares would work differently. I really hope some better boots come out soon. I am interested in trying the Renegades also- has anyone?
