Hunting in Easyboot Epics behind?

[Loves_to_ride]

Has anyone hunted in Easyboot Epics on the hind feet only?

I’m riding in Easyboot Gloves in front which I love but I can’t get a good fit behind. They twist, even with power straps. The trimmer suggested I try the Epics but I am not comfortable with the buckles.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!

[ehwaz]

Have you tried wrapping mueller(athletic) tape around the foot on the hinds? Tried a fit kit to make sure the back boots are the right size?

[ISR]

I wasn’t familiar with them, so had to google image, but they seem like they could get easily caught on things (vines, roots?) in trappy territory.

[Loves_to_ride]

Hi ehwaz,

I had an Easycare dealer do the measuring and he used a fit kit. I love the Gloves in front; wish they fit behind.

I was thinking the same about buckles in trappy territory. Maybe I’ll see how he does barefoot behind.
Thanks!

[Foxglove]

I think it would depend on your hunt country, your flight, and your feelings about safety. At our hunt, I think it would be extremely dangerous to wear any sort of hoof boot. Our footing can go from gravel, to clay, to bog, to grass in a single chase. We go at speed up hill, down hill, and jump while we do all that. I’ve seen horses bogged to their bellies (whip horses following hounds into swamp), field horses hung up in wire --happened to me once --followed 20 riders through a narrow spot–my horse caught an old piece of fence. Being a horse of good mind, he immediately stopped -had he worn hoof boots not sure how we would have freed him. It was tough enough with wire cutters on a bare footed, bare legged horse. He was uninjured. We’ve had horses catch shoes on wire fence, years old on the ground.

Those in our first flight don’t use galloping boots either --although the Master of Foxhounds did after his horse was cut on a sharp branch, but only until the wound healed. The problem is that in trappy veins --and we have a lot of off trail runs at speed, you can hang up on a boot. That’s why riders (at least in our hunt) never wear field boots or use peacock stirrups --you can hang up. Believe it or not (and I do have a picture --I hung up on my breeches once time when my horse went too close to a pine tree that had a sharp branch. The branch hooked my breeches and ripped them knee to thigh. (FYI I wear a frock length coat so no one was quite aware how high the rip was). Riders have often hung up on their own stirrups catching low covert or branches. Did I mention that we all wear safety glasses after a rider injured and nearly lost an eye to a whipping branch?

Were you out with our hill toppers --you’d be find with hoof boots. While I can’t speak to specific brands --I’d take it slow the first time out.

Foxglove

[Loves_to_ride]

Thanks Foxglove!
All very useful points.
It would be so much easier if I could either ride him fully barefoot or if he would actually keep his shoes on. :no:

[Painted_Wings]

I’ve been hunting in first flight barefoot behind for years. I would worry about riding with people with any kind of boots, especially behind as if they lost one they could literally “throw” it. I wouldn’t want to be hit by a flying hoof boot.