Has anybody used any of the hoof boots over bare feet for fox hunting? If so, how did they do? Especially how did they do for jumping? Did your horse have enough traction? Too much traction?
Thanks in advance!
I used old macs once
I used old Macs once. I didn’t do any jumping. It was pretty wet that day, and my old macs had already seen some use in turn out for the summer. With all the wetness, mud and a couple hours of riding, the boots rotated and made riding uncomfortable for my horse. I ended up taking them off, throwing them to the side and picked them up later.
I would NOT recommend them for hunting, and (I’ve heard) some hunts won’t allow them. They can be dangerous if they get tossed off at the run – flying boots can hurt the people alongside and behind you.
If you are going to hunt, put shoes on your horse or just go barefoot.
I hunt in Easyboot Epics w/ EVA pads on the fronts. Took a little trial and error before I got the right fit and application but now that I do, they do NOT come off or twist.
We gallop and jump just fine, traction is good. Horse is much more comfortable over rocks at speed with them on, so I choose to hunt in them over having her shod or leaving her barefoot.
My hunt has never objected to us wearing them.
I suggest that you do MANY trial rides in a pair of boots before hunting in them. There is nothing more annoying than having to dismount during a hunt to deal with boot issues. Get the boot you want, in the size you think you need and take a few rides which would mimick the conditions of a hunt (galloping, turns, jumping, mud, rocks, etc) If they work for your there, they’ll be fine hunting.
I recommend the Epics with EVA pads. You can add studs to these boots, too, which can be handy on wet grass.
Personally I wouldn’t hunt in boots - my horses all hunt barefoot and have done for the last 5 seasons - season 6 is just about to begin - yippee! 
FWIW, I wouldn’t jump a horse in boots either - I just have never found any that are up to the job - JMHO. I’ve found that the traction on Easyboot Epics is way too poor for them to be safe on the terrain round here, even out on exercise.
Nic
I used to event my last horse in Easyboot bares behind. He did just fine in them.
My current horse pulled a shoe at the beginning of a hunt two weeks ago. He never took a bad step so I didn’t know he’d pulled it until the check. No hoof wall to nail to but he’s been sound on it so I hunted him last weekend with an Easyboot epic on that hoof without any issue. I also did a xc school with him on Tuesday with the boot and he was fine.
Now my real adventure begins as I decided just to pull his shoes while the ground is still soft. I’m going to see if I can keep him going in boots.
I had my horses shoes pulled around 10 years ago. I trail ride exclusively but in pretty rough terrain sometimes which includes hills, mud, water, rocks etc and my horses go in hoof boots all the time while being ridden. They are barefoot the rest of the time though. I’ve actually had fewer hoof related issues since we went barefoot.
“Quote” I suggest that you do MANY trial rides in a pair of boots before hunting in them. There is nothing more annoying than having to dismount during a hunt to deal with boot issues. Get the boot you want, in the size you think you need and take a few rides which would mimick the conditions of a hunt (galloping, turns, jumping, mud, rocks, etc) If they work for your there, they’ll be fine hunting.
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That.
And please, warn the people around you that your horse is wearing boots.
Having been the unhappy recipent of an errant ( not to mention very muddy) horseboot whacking me in the chest, please give them the option of riding in front of you.
Ive heard really good things about the Renegades not coming off. or rubbing.
Try the easy boot glove
I hunt in the easy boot glove. I’ve used the epics with cotter pins, but the glove is better. It stays on in the mud, and is much easier to put on and take off. Also, it is less obvious than the epic because it is a smaller boot.
Haven’t tried them out hunting but used the gloves on a hunter pace with my young horse. Lost one at a gallop. Turned out one of the screws had come out. The gloves seem to work well but you need to regularly check hardware tightness as they do back out. Also a power strap is recommended.
