I’ve always used the Davis soaking boots (similar to the easysoaker). But now my guy’s hoof is between sizes. I see a ton of new types of hoof boots on amazon, with interesting names (?). I can see how it would be helpful to have a one-size-fits-all type soaking boots. I only need to soak the hoof itself, not anything higher. Recommendations? or ones to avoid? Thanks.
No help here:(
My temporary suggestion, until you do find a boot that fits, is to take (2) one gallon zip lock bags, put one inside the other, add soaking solution, duct tape the top closed around the leg:)
1 Like
I lent my Davis boot to a friend and it never made it back to me. 
I loved that thing.
Of course, with my Davis boot out of my possession, my horses started popping abscesses left and right. I bought a Hoof Wraps Brand Equine Soaker from the local TSC in a pinch. Biggest piece of garbage ever! I don’t know if I got a faulty product or if this is a consistent problem, but the thing isn’t even waterproof-- water seeps through the fabric. Even if effectively held water, the design is garbage. It’s too small to accommodate full size horse hooves properly. The foam inserts pop to the surface of the water if the horse shifts their weight for a millisecond. The soft design means that every time the horse moves, water gets sloshed out to the top. It’s not tall enough to properly tighten around the lower leg and the weight of the water will cause it to easily slip right off the hoof if the horse is the slightest bit wiggly for soaking. It’s more work than just using a bucket!!!
I’m to the point where I’m going to just buy another Davis boot.
I also have tall, White Lightning disposable bags on hand for doing White Lightning or CleanTrax soaks. I tend not to use them for abscesses, though, because they aren’t very durable (I had to laugh when I saw the Jeffers link says they are as thick as IV bags-- no way!). I’d go through too many treating abscesses. But if an abscess is a “once in a blue moon” thing for you, they are an okay option.
I have always liked the Davis boots. I purposefully bought mine a bit larger than my mares hooves for ease of use.
Equine IVbags. Add duck tape. Best soaker easeybto put on and take odd.
1 Like
Thanks for the info about the Hoof Wraps soaking boot. I was told by someone else that the Shires brand (looks similar) leaks as well.
I’ve never had a dedicated soaking boot, but I do use those flexible rubber pans (for hoof soak) or rubber bucket (for lower leg soak). They are really pliable, so comfortable to stand on (just like standing on a rubber mat). And I’ve never had one leak. Plus, they can be used for other purposes. I think mine are FortiFlex? But the horse that I’ve used these on is just happy to stand there with his foot in the pan, and fall asleep in the cross ties.
Good lord… no need to buy a special “soaking boot”. It’s all just a marketing ploy anyway.
Especially if you only need the hoof soaked: Ask your veterinarian for empty 5L fluid bags. They’re a thicker plastic, durable/ reusable and flexible, but can easily be cut with ordinary scissors. Cut off the end where the port is. Then about an inch down from that cut, put a single line of 1/2" cuts around the plastic edge. Weave rolled gauze or a standing bandage through the cuts, all the way around.
Train horse to stand with this tied to his leg with the foot in the bag. I suggest just keeping horse in his stall where he can have a hay bag hung in front of him. Depending upon how long you plan on soaking, you may wish to have horse wear a polo wrap before putting the bag on him. Add soaking material to bag, have horse place foot in bag, horse stands on that foot, you do up the laces and poof Majikal Soaking Bootie.
1 Like
@Sansena As an abscessed-cursed owner of thoroughbreds who also has unlimited access to 5L fluid bags from working in medicine, I MUCH prefer my Davis boot. I would buy that thing 100x over. (and am about to since it doesn’t look like I’ll ever see mine again)
So to each their own. I will gladly pay $30 one time to be able to pop my horse’s hoof into a boot for soaking, and I’m sure my horses would agree.
Glad it works for you, Texarkana. I’m just relaying what we used at the clinic for horses of different sizes & tolerance levels. Granted, we had to work quickly & efficiently. The training involved in getting them to stand in something super durable like a Davis boot wasn’t alway realistic given our case load/s. 
When I worked at the busy university hospital, I used to go searching for a soaking boot instead of using IV bags. I hated using them then, still do now.
ok
What works well instead of a soaking boot is a durable camping dry bag. Same thing, but cheaper.
