Is it possible my horse can't wear hoof boots? Hoof boot novice with lots of quest.

[TrotTrotPumpkn]

So I wanted to try hoof boots (front only) instead of shoeing my mare at this point in the year. I measured her hooves per the instructions and the width is 120mm and the length is 95mm. Eeek. I really wanted to use the “new” easyboot glove backcountry.

She is not fresh trimmed, 3 weeks out, so I’m having the farrier come as soon as he can (love having to trim again already). She had her shoes and pads pulled last time, but they had only been on for one cycle, she’s been barefoot the rest of her life. She’s sound, but doesn’t have the large feet I’d hoped for (wears a 00 shoe) and we are trying to be proactive with hoof management/soundness. I’m wondering if she’s wearing her toes on the hard ground or if she’s really that wide compared to long…

Also, do people use bell boots with hoof boots? She is young, has huge overstride from behind and sometimes interferes. She lived in bells when shod. Yet another reason I don’t want to shoe.

Thanks!

[saffire_100]

You just need to try them to find out if they work or not. My one horse has a huge overstride and I’ve tried 4 different types of boots. Same issue with all of them in that she ends up stepping on the back of the boot and rips the boots in half. Your measurements do seem a bit extreme but I guess anything is possible. I would never use bell boots over hoof boots for the reason I’ve stated above. Your horse will likely rip them off and potentially injure herself in the process. I can’t remember if the boot you are talking about has a gaiter or not.

[BigHorseLittleHorse]

Renegade has a new boot model coming out soon that comes in multiple width x length combinations – might be worth giving them a call to see if they will have something that will fit your mare.

http://www.renegadehoofboot.com/contact-us.aspx

[TrotTrotPumpkn]

[QUOTE=saffire_100;7185192]
You just need to try them to find out if they work or not. My one horse has a huge overstride and I’ve tried 4 different types of boots. Same issue with all of them in that she ends up stepping on the back of the boot and rips the boots in half. Your measurements do seem a bit extreme but I guess anything is possible. I would never use bell boots over hoof boots for the reason I’ve stated above. Your horse will likely rip them off and potentially injure herself in the process. I can’t remember if the boot you are talking about has a gaiter or not.[/QUOTE]

http://www.easycareinc.com/our_boots/easyboot_glove_backcountry/easyboot_glove_backcountry.aspx

Looks like it has a gaiter. It is supposed to be a bit more forgiving to size than the normal glove, so that’s what I was interested in. This is mainly for basic dressage ring work (she’s only 3) and some trail riding. The barn put up a sign that we can’t use the sand indoor unless the weather is bad (grr) and the outdoor has no footing to speak of and is rock hard. I wouldn’t have pulled her shoes had I known this was going to be the new rule… sigh I don’t want to rock the boat and make a stink, and I think it’s good for young horses to stay barefoot anyway.

Thanks for the info on the renegade. I will have the farrier out as soon as I can get him and re-measure her feet and contact them too. I really want something simple to use, but not super clunky and heavy like the ones I tried years ago (Cavellos?).

These boots are all kind of spendy and I’d like to make a few of the upcoming trail rides. So I’d like to get it right the first time. Will definitely order the fit kit if we get to that point.

[ehwaz]

Measuring can be very tricky ( http://blog.easycareinc.com/blog/horse-boots-customer-help/measuring-mishaps ) . If possible, I would get a fit kit or find a dealer close to you so you can try on the glove /glue on shells ( which are the same as the shell in the backcountry, just a different gaiter) and that should help with sizing. You want a TIGHT fit, particularly if the shells you are trying out are new( they stretch a bit with age). That said, Backcountries are much more forgiving with fit than gloves.

[wildlifer]

Not all horses can in all conditions, despite what the proponents say. No bell boots with hoof boots, it gets too bulky and will interfere.

My Appendix gelding has been barefoot on and off. EasyBoots of any kind do NOT stay on his fronts because he forges no matter what. However, the Cavallo Sports have been awesome and never even slip in bogs or water.

Check your measurements against the different styles and shapes available and be prepared to try several sizes – I am a good measurer, but I still had to send mine back for a smaller size.

I find boots to be a pain for a horse in full training, I like just having the shoes at the ready and I need to use studs anyway, but for the QH, he does not compete anymore and it’s nice not to have to pay for the shoes all the time.

[TrotTrotPumpkn]

Once it is dark in the evening, I don’t know how they can not let me use the sand indoor and then I won’t need shoes. So this is just for the occasional trail ride and until winter sets in DST Nov. 3. I’m only going to ride once or twice a week…just wanted to keep her going a little.

Maybe I should just do another shoe cycle…she managed to rip off the bells with her shoes on (the pull ons that are sooo hard to get on). Ugh. I hate missing the nice fall weather!

[Posting_Trot]

Before you buy anything, you should definitely get the fit kit and watch the videos about how the glove is supposed to fit. I just bought a set of the Glove Back Countrys, and decided to go with the back countrys because the straight gloves, based on the fit kit, were not the perfect, tight fit all around that Easycare suggests.

I went with the wide version because my horse’s hooves are almost perfectly round (same measurement in width as length). Based on my experience, I think that if you bought the size that fit her width, the boots would be too big, and if you bought the size that fits her length, they’d be too small. I don’t think that the upper portion on the Back Countrys would help enough to keep the boots on if you went with the larger size.

I’d suggest you call EasyCare and ask them what they think.

[Herefordgirl]

Since all horse’s hooves are different you just need to keep trying different ones until you find the right boots for your horse. I used Renegades successfully for one year and my horse’s hooves changed and the next size up did not fit at all. Renegade was great to work with. They stand behind their product and have great customer service. I now use Old Mac G2s. They are clunkier than the renegades but they stay in place better. I have jumped cross county and done extensive trail riding with no problems. Easy Care has very good customer service also. They told me to ride with them for a month and send them back if they don’t work. Can’t beat that!