experiences with hoof boots on the trail?

[Guilherme]

I live in East TN. We have 55-60" of rain per year. During our trial of EasyBoots (several years ago) we noted a significant problem with water and debris getting into the boots. The water had the effect of “soaking” the hoof tissues (a Very Bad Thing) and the debris had the effect of “sandpapering” the hoof tissues (a Very Bad Thing). Drilling holes in the bottom did not work all that well, as many trails are naturally damp and moisture entered the boot from the bottom. And it did not address the debris issue.

Each boot had to be individually fitted to each foot or we had very bad heel galling. The “spare tire” argument (common in their ads of the day) was just not true.

The EasyBoots of the time were very difficult to get on and off, but we never had a problem of “casting” a boot.

In very dry climates these things may work (in spite of the possible “sandpapering” issue), but any one that permits water to enter the boot during a stream crossing means you either stop and empty the boot or “soak” the foot.

For these reasons we’ve rejected boots over the years and use traditional metal shoes. They don’t have any of these problems, nor do they cause any degradation to equine health over the short or long haul when properly used.

G.

[Amymcree]

You can contact Renegade at 928-692-2668. They are located in Kingman, AZ.

Amy

[pj1]

[QUOTE=Amymcree;4985493]
You can contact Renegade at 928-692-2668. They are located in Kingman, AZ.

Amy[/QUOTE]
Bless you!!

[BigHorseLittleHorse]

There is a yahoo group for barefoot endurance horses, and there are always lots of discussions about hoof boots - you can probably get tons of responses there…

http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/BarefootEnduranceHorses/#ans

[pj1]

[QUOTE=BigHorseLittleHorse;4986969]
There is a yahoo group for barefoot endurance horses, and there are always lots of discussions about hoof boots - you can probably get tons of responses there…

http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/BarefootEnduranceHorses/#ans[/QUOTE]
Thank you for the link. I joined and you’re right a wealth of information and wonderful folks on the list.

[BigHorseLittleHorse]

[QUOTE=pj;4987234]
Thank you for the link. I joined and you’re right a wealth of information and wonderful folks on the list.[/QUOTE]

Glad to be able to pay it forward - someone on COTH told me about them when I was looking for info on adjusting my Renegades

[baylady7]

I am now a die hard Hoofwings user. I used Simple Boots, but they needed the liners or else they would rub my guy. The hoofwings have been incredible and the customer service very good to boot (pun intended). They have stayed on in MUD and water, walk through gallop, even for ring work and jumping.

www.hoofwings.com

[CowgirlUp84]

We live on the rainforests of the west Coast of British Columbia Canada and we also see ALOT of rain. The better part of the year is wet and muddy and I have used the Cavallo Simple boots for trail riding my horses for years with great success. They are a very secure fit and allow for adequate drainage from water, mud etc that may enter the boot. i have not experienced any issues with debris building up in the boot or rubbing my horses pasterns. As with any boot ensuring a proper fit is imperative. I would recommend these boots over any other brand I’ve tried in the past!!!

[ridexc]

Thanks everyone for your responses, both here and in PMs. All hugely helpful!:yes:

[system]

Try this:

http://blog.easycareinc.com

[PRS]

Old Mac’s User

I’ve used Old Macs for about 4 years now. I just purchased my 3rd pair. I don’t ride in the kind of terrain shown :eek:…in fact, I’m pretty sure I would consider that impassible if I encountered it on the trail…but I’m kind of a weenie about stuff like that ;). I’ve had great success with Old Mac’s but they do wear out. I’ve found that, of course, the better I take care of them, the longer they’ll last. I tend to abuse them and leave the cleaning part for later…not a good thing for the poor boots.

My horse knows the difference from boots to no boots though and moves out ever so much more confidently when he is wearing his “combat boots”

[rmh_rider]

I hate hoof boots. They come off, they are hard to get on, they can rub, they are very expensive.

So I do shoes only.

I am the ultimate shoe girl.

Yes, bought and tried Easy Boots.

Hated them. Also even though the teeth were pushed in and some tape over them they put bad nicks in my horses hooves. If I didn’t push the teeth down they still damaged my horses hooves.

They are a pita.

[katarine]

I’ve spent a lot of time waiting on my pal P, when she has to dismount and put her mare’s hind Easyboots back on. Again. And again.

I used the Original Old Macs on a crooked legged gelding who sorta shredded the interior of the boot with the way he loaded and twisted his leg. I also suspect they made him a bit sore in the legs. Purely anecdotal.