I recently started riding my horse who is barefoot and happy that way. The feet are great, but I’m concerned that riding in sand will wear them too much. And where I mat trail ride has gravel paths. What would be a good boot to use that will not alter breakover or way of going, but will keep the foot from wearing. Also maybe some protection on trails. Thanks in advance.
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I use Scoots, and have also used Cavallos. I like them both. Just like hiking shoes for humans, it depends on what brand best fits the foot.
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If your horse goes well barefoot, Hoof Armor can be great to deal with excessive wearing: https://hoofarmor.com/
I have used the Hoof Armor successfully, but I mainly use Renegade hoof boots. But like the previous poster said, it’s all about fit. Measure after a good, fresh trim and see how it compares to the charts the different manufacturers have. Also some boots are easier to put on then others, or are good for more fast riding or easier riding. Boots (of any brand) can be a process to get the right fit, but once that is figured out I really like the options they give me. Good luck!
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While I haven’t ordered my horse’s Renegade Vipers yet, I did buy a sizing boot from the company for like $11 to make sure I had measured correctly. This seems like a genius marketing plan, to me.
I’m convinced of its wisdom because it turned out that had I gone with what I thought was the right size, 130mm x 130mm, one boot might have barely fit and the other likely would have been a teeny bit too small. To learn this, I emailed the company a few photos of each foot wearing the sizing shell, and someone responded with advice within 24 hours.
The handful of barefoot-ers at the mostly dressage barn where I spend my days have used Renegades for donkeys’ years.
I have used scoots but found that they fit a very specific shape of foot/heal and are less inclined to be forgiving in that way. I only tried the classic model as the enduro’s don’t come big enough for my boy. I decided to switch to Flex Boots and love them! I use them to protect against gravel on hard ground, and bigger rocks on trials and road hacking, otherwise for all schooling and showing he is 100% barefoot
I use the Renegades and I love them. They don’t rub and they stay on. They’re also easy to put on and off. I just use the regular ones, not the vipers.
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I’ve heard a few podcasts about boots and if I were getting a pair I’d do a pro consult w a fitter. The Humble Hoof podcast has some interviews w pro fitters.
Sarah Hunt is a pro.
I’m pretty sure it was Sarah that Alicia spoke with on the podcast. What I learned about it all was doing a consult seemed like a good move. Otherwise fitting can be complicated.
You can always alter breakover with a rasp…just be careful not to do too much. I use Renegades (Vipers on the front and the originals on the back). Scoots do not work on my horse. You need to use the boot that fits your horse. It is a bit of (haha…a lot) of trial and error. Many places have fit kits so take advantage of them before you plop the big $$$ down. I use boots from usually April to November. We are very dry here and the sand arena can be pretty abrasive. I just feel better giving her some protection.
Susan
This is another consideration… Some boots are great in dry conditions but not mud, or great for roads/cleared trails but not rough/vegetation covered terrain.
