Hoof Soaking Boot - Davis, Tough-1 or ?

[4LeafCloverFarm]

I need a hoof soaking boot for my big guy, as vet wants me to soak hoof in Epsom salt bath 2X a day for 20 min. I always used a rubber bucket, but get that a boot really keeps whatever soak/poultice you’re using right where it needs to be. And the added benefit, you can’t tip it over and spill it everywhere.

I’ve heard of Davis boot and found Tough-1 as I was searching, and there are others. So which is best (I like things that last, and if I’m gonna spend $50+, I want the boot to be worth it). and fits a really large footed horse? I’d need the size 4 in the Davis and the xlarge in the Tough-1. I can’t even find the size 4 Davis boot anywhere except the Davis website - so if anyone knows where to get one, let me know! If I have to spend $65 I will, but I’d rather find one cheaper than that.

https://www.davismanufacturing.com/product/horse-boots-therapeutic-pads/horse-boots/horse-boots/2

http://www.jtidist.com/tough-1-hoof-saver-boot-30862.html

[Moon_River]

British person here - do you have the heavy duty blue rubble sacks/bags there? After my all singing all dancing soaking boot started to leak I tried them and found them much easier and much cheaper! I just popped the hoof in and then duct taped the bag in place round the cannon bone.

[Marla_100]

The Davis is a great boot, I have several here BUT they’re hard to fit, my horses hooves tend to be too big for the boots
if they’re not trimmed real short. So I’ve gone to using heavy duty freezer bags from the grocery store. Double the bag and pour in the liquid after putting bag on hoof. Works great. I usually put a flake of hay on ground to keep horse still and
in one place while they soak.

[Simkie]

Take a look at dry bags for boating–it can be easier to use something like that, instead of a clunky boot.

Is using a foot poultice pad not an option? It’s so much less hassle to wrap up with one of those and some hot water.

[4LeafCloverFarm]

@Simkie

. . .
Is using a foot poultice pad not an option? It’s so much less hassle to wrap up with one of those and some hot water.

I discussed with my vet using Animalintex pads (soaked) and then wrapped and booted with gorilla tape. Vet said in this case, soaking would be better. I definitely agree about the hassle of soaking - I have so much experience making duct tape boots, I could sell them. :lol:

Horse has soft spot on sole about the size of a nickle and vet feels soaking is preferable to the poultice pad and wrapping. Not sure if its a stone bruise or abscess that simply isn’t popping. But time will tell I suppose.

[4LeafCloverFarm]

@Marla 100

The Davis is a great boot, I have several here BUT they’re hard to fit, my horses hooves tend to be too big for the boots
if they’re not trimmed real short. So I’ve gone to using heavy duty freezer bags from the grocery store. Double the bag and pour in the liquid after putting bag on hoof. Works great. I usually put a flake of hay on ground to keep horse still and
in one place while they soak.

Good to know about the Davis boot. I suppose if I order one and it doesn’t fit, I could return it (thinking of putting a gallon ziplock bag over hoof before butting the Davis boot on, to keep it clean so I could send it back).

But in the meantime, I guess two freezer gallon baggies would work in a pinch. He stays still for about 20 minutes eating breakfast/dinner, so its a perfect time to soak him.

[TMares]

I’ve used inner tubes and dry bags. Tough 1 brand is junk, Davis boots run small

[Bluey]

We use a car/truck inner tube, depending on the size of the hoof.

You cut the tire where you have two lengths from the bottom of the hoof to below the knee, wherever you will want to tape the top.
You stick the hoof to the middle, turn the empty end up, should be close to the same height as the half that has the hoof in it.
Pour what you want in there and tape shut.

Even horses turned out in smaller pens have been able to move around with that on their foot without it tearing or getting lost.

[4LeafCloverFarm]

Never thought of using an innertube from a tire. I image those are pretty tough. But I’m having a hard time picturing that in use. You wouldn’t have a picture of one on a horse would you @Bluey?

[pony_baloney]

IV bags are sometimes used.

I have a Davis boot and when I purchased it, I brought tracings of both a front and rear hoof to see which size would work. Hind feet are shaped differently from the front ones. When used for White Lightning soaks, I put the foot in a freezer bag; it will slip into the boot more easily. Then I pour the solution into the bag and seal it, then wrap with a stretchy bandage.

Years ago my horse spooked in the cross ties, broke them and trotted down the barn aisle wearing a boot on each front foot. He looked and sounded hysterical but the boots stayed on!

[4LeafCloverFarm]

Thanks for the pics @Bluey . Those were helpful. That horse with them on all 4 feet has a facial expression like “Geeze Louise, don’t take a photo of me Mom.” But very clever to use a cat/dog collar as a closure at the top.

@pony baloney Good point about making sure if I get a boot that it will fit front or back. The issue he has currently is a front hoof.

[Posting_Trot]

I have an Irish Draught mare, and her front hooves are 6.5 inches across at their widest point. When she needed one hoof to be soaked every day (puncture wound), I used a Davis boot.

It was great. Before getting the boot, I’d tried the bucket, the feed tub, the plastic garbage bag, etc. The boot is just way easier. I wouldn’t even hesitate about getting the boot.

[endlessclimb]

I have the tough 1 version, and while I agree that most times they’re junk, for this particular application, it looks and feels and acts the same as the Davis boot.

[DinkyDonk]

Vinyl dry sacks–bought them off Amazon for soaking my hinny’s feet. Cheap and reusable (I paid $15 for 2). Soaking boots for hooves are a PITA to put on and take off…

[gahorseygal]

I have a hoof wraps boot. Not completely water proof for some reason, I get some leakage, but it works fine for 15-30 minute soaks.