What sized diaper do you use for making a hoof bootie when treating an abscess in a horse? Any preference for brands that hold up well.
I like a 3 for a good sized TB and warmbloods. It’s the only size we stock at the hospital and we put it on everybody from the 700lb 2 year old QH to the custom shoe wearing big boys. Two diapers for a draft foot 
Brand: Cheap. The nice ones that have more crystals in them will expand into more gel and are more likely to bust out leaving unnecessary gel on the sole.
I got the small size for my dainty footed 14.1 hand pony. If I STRETCH the waist band I can make it fit my not so dainty footed 16.3 hand TB. I guess eventually I will buy ones that are bigger.
I buy the cheap ones as well since I’m not looking for them to keep a baby’s butt dry.
I buy the cheapest brand available. I use a size 6 for my TB, and he does not have big feet at all. Size 3 seems way small to me!
Mine are a size 4, also cheap, and I have a roll of Duck tape, also cheap that I stick on top for a boot. Well, bottom, for a sole and then some up the sides to hold it on. I’ve been lucky and haven’t had to do it lately.
I second using 4s on my 16 hand Appendix QH. And cheap cheap cheap! You’re not buying them for absorption which is the only reason the fancier ones are more expensive. I always just got store brand and never had a problem with tearing as long as I had a duct tape “boot” on top!
I admit to asking a woman in Wal-Mart for help when picking out disposable diapers to wrap my horse’s foot the first time! She was very helpful, even pulling one of her baby’s diapers out of the diaper bag to show me the size it was! You have a lot of leeway in the sizing. And cheap, yes. And duct tape.
Not having ever been a mother, I had a hard time computing my horses hoof size into diaper size "well he’s a size 4 shoe, so does that make him size 4 diaper, or do I compute hoof size to baby’s weight?:lol: and then you have to deal with the items at the checkout…hmm diapers, betadine, epsom salts and duct tape… all on camera. Clearly I’ve watched too many crime shows.
I have nothing to add except I hate buying diapers. I think I was late teens going to a 3 day and needed diapers for the vet box. I was mortified having to buy them and my mom ended up doing it. Even now, I hate buying them! Anything else im good with, including possibly awkard stuff, but diapers I still seriously hesitate.
I just use whatever size my kids are currently using, anything will work. I would go around 3-4 if I was buying specifically because the bigger sizes aren’t really needed and you get fewer per pack.
I buy what is on sale too, usually size 3-4-5. I’d rather a bit big than too small.
I went with size 4 and they perfectly fit my 16.1hh TB.
My gelding was a newborn hoof when he still had shoes. I haven’t had to use them since he went barefoot, but he has gone up a size in hoof boots so I would expect him to need larger diapers, too!
Newborn diapers used to fit exactly perfectly around his hoof with the elastic and it made it easier to slide over his hoof, then let him put it down and fasten the tabs like a regular diaper over him, then duct tape. A good fit is just easier. I agree that big is better than too small!
I buy size 5 and my horse does not have overly large hooves. They are just the right size so that the fold seam fits at the toe and there is full coverage everywhere with the velcro closures working just right.
ETA - I think this thread teaches us that it does not really matter what size you buy, they will all work some way.
No gel diapers, obviously.
Mare has size 0 or 00 hooves and does well in newborn size diapers, when that’s what is needed (been a while, though.)
Never heard of gel diapers.
I use the size 4 food lion brands.
Also, diapers make a fabulous wrap for a moving joint. First some gauze, then the diaper, then wrap above and below. Doesn’t bind, doesn’t move, and helps protect it 
I will agree as someone without kids I went thru several sizes (starting newborn and working up from there) before I found the size that worked.
And although I agree cheap is fine for diapers, I found paying premium for gorilla tape over cheap duct tape well worth it. Of course my horse is a stall walker and had to bee turned out during the long period of soaking and wrapping. But the gorilla tape remained intact while the regular duct tape would wear out.
I use newborn for my Thoroughbred. First time, I bought preemies and they were way too small. I won’t buy the super cheap ones anymore because the tabs are too easy to rip off completely when I am applying the diaper, and that bugs me.
My horse wears a size 3 shoe, and I use a size 5 diaper. I also agree with CBV above - Gorilla tape makes a huge difference with avoiding the booties wearing through.
