Who Makes Really Sturdy Fetlock Shields/Bedsore Boots?

[PeteyPie]

Does anyone know of any fetlock shields which are very sturdy? I have tried several products and not found anything which stands up. I have tried bedsore boots which are easy to use, comfortable, and work on my other horses for bedsores, but that neoprene fabric shreds when her hoof scrapes down it. Rubber bell boots only last a day and I find them in the pasture, torn in half. The fetlock shields made with a cordura fabric are showing signs of damage after two days of use. This mare is turned out 24/7. She has hind end problems and so this is a permanent condition.

The other day I just bandaged her up with those standing wraps with the velcro tabs over the thick white washable bats. I don’t know if I’m naming them correctly, but these:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=16226&cmpid=06cseYY&gclid=CNSzhcq0384CFUGSfgod10QGBA

They worked well for protection, but they slip a little and I’m afraid they might unwrap. I don’t feel comfortable using them for turnout all the time. At least they are washable.

Then, I was excited to find these fetlock shields:
https://www.valleyvet.com/swatches/40782_L_001_vvs.jpg

They were still on the next day. I took them off and washed them after two days and was dismayed to see a tiny cut in the fabric in the spot on her left pastern where she often hits herself. It means these will only last a few days, although I can add duct tape and that will buy a little more time.

I have searched online and asked at tack stores, but does anyone here have a solution? A leather cover to go on the outside of the fetlock shield would be sturdy enough but I am not handy with that sort of project. Or a fetlock shield made with a stronger material than the cordura would work.

Any ideas? What have you used?

[Simkie]

Sounds like you need those leather run down boots, just rejiggered to fit the front of the fetlock. I wonder if a good leather worker could take a set and modify for you?

[MissAriel]

Could you find a leather worker or cobbler to add some sturdy leather to the boots you have?

[PeteyPie]

[QUOTE=Simkie;8816583]
Sounds like you need those leather run down boots, just rejiggered to fit the front of the fetlock. I wonder if a good leather worker could take a set and modify for you?[/QUOTE]

What are run down boots? Can you post a link to a photo?

Yes a leather worker would do. I had a bunch of referral to a guy who was really good and when I tracked him down, he was retired.

MissAriel, since you are in SoCal, do you know of a good leather worker?

[PeteyPie]

A leather worker would be good… haven’t yet found one in my area.

[digihorse]

Go to a good shoe repair place. They could add leather for you.

[WNT]

My horse has a spot he always steps on right on his inside coronet band. I’ve had good luck with the narrow rubber fetlock ring for turnout, it seems to provide enough of a “bumper” to keep him from interfering.

[J-Lu]

Do you just need something to protect the fetlocks? My friend/barn-mate has a 27 year old horse who sometimes has difficulty getting up and down. She uses rubber bell boots (ones without velcro) upsidedown for her mare who is out 24/7 on manicured pasture. They have really helped protect her fetlocks. If you PM me with your email address, I’ll happily send you pictures.

[PeteyPie]

[QUOTE=WNT;8817222]
My horse has a spot he always steps on right on his inside coronet band. I’ve had good luck with the narrow rubber fetlock ring for turnout, it seems to provide enough of a “bumper” to keep him from interfering.[/QUOTE]

I’ve never tried this. Sometimes she steps higher up on her fetlock, right at the joint, so I don’t know if it would work, but it is definitely worth trying. Thanks.

[LarkspurCO]

I used to use these bed sore boots and glued leather patches over the front where the holes formed. I just used Shoe Goo to and it held up fine.

https://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.html?pgguid=cbcd1a17-3e61-471e-bf1e-fb147d903b7c

[PeteyPie]

[QUOTE=J-Lu;8817411]
Do you just need something to protect the fetlocks? My friend/barn-mate has a 27 year old horse who sometimes has difficulty getting up and down. She uses rubber bell boots (ones without velcro) upsidedown for her mare who is out 24/7 on manicured pasture. They have really helped protect her fetlocks. If you PM me with your email address, I’ll happily send you pictures.[/QUOTE]

Thanks, J-Lu. I have tried rubber bell boots but always the kind with velcro. I have a hard time getting her back feet up (she gets off balance, especially with her left hind) so I haven’t tried those without velcro. In any case she destroys them. I find them after one or two days wear completely ripped through the rubber, with the velcro fasteners intact. At first I thought she might be reaching back and ripping them off with her teeth, but the vet said, judging from the wounds on her fetlocks/pasterns/coronet bands that she is just stepping on it so hard it pulls down and rips.

I have tried them upside down as well as the normal direction. But, maybe the brand wasn’t good? They all look the same to me as far as looking sturdy, but maybe there is a type of rubber which is better than the basic white velcro bell boots?

She also ruined a cloth bell boot, cute plaid Kensingtons like these:
https://www.horseloverz.com/horse-equipment/horse-bell-boots/kensington-bell-boot?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&scid=scplp15218550&sc_intid=200-188305&gclid=CJu77rfe4M4CFQ-DfgodWBENNw
I thought I had a winner because they are so sturdy looking. I tried just one on her left leg. It lasted a little longer than the rubber bells, like four days, and I found it in the paddock ripped off where the velcro is sewn onto the boot. I still have the other one, maybe if I put Gorilla tape over the velcro…

Thank you all for the suggestions. I am going to keep trying. If anyone knows a good craftsman for leather I would appreciate it. I did go to the shoe place in town and he said his machine doesn’t do that kind of work (???). Then there was a saddle repair guy who did leather whom everyone raved about but when I finally tracked him down I found he had retired and moved. I know I need to persevere and keep looking. On that note, does anyone in SoCal know a good leather repair place or similar?

[PeteyPie]

[QUOTE=LarkspurCO;8817470]
I used to use these bed sore boots and glued leather patches over the front where the holes formed. I just used Shoe Goo to and it held up fine.

https://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.html?pgguid=cbcd1a17-3e61-471e-bf1e-fb147d903b7c[/QUOTE]

Okay. This sounds great. I have some leather patches and I will try this. Do they wash up okay with the leather glued on? Does the leather stay on? What weight leather did you use? I have some scraps which are finer/thinner and some really heavy pieces.

[MissAriel]

In San Diego Anthony’s Shoe Repair in Del Mar is good for repairs.

[PeteyPie]

Thank you all for this good advice. I should have asked sooner.

[LarkspurCO]

[QUOTE=PeteyPie;8817482]
Okay. This sounds great. I have some leather patches and I will try this. Do they wash up okay with the leather glued on? Does the leather stay on? What weight leather did you use? I have some scraps which are finer/thinner and some really heavy pieces.[/QUOTE]

Mine went through the washer just fine. I cut patches from a large swatch I had acquired from furniture shopping. Much thinner than shoe leather, more like the thickness you would get on leather lined breeches. That Shoe Goo is great stuff.

[digihorse]

I don’t know where in SoCal you are. Pappy’s in Camarillo has a great guy, and they do not just boots but everything. European Shoe repair in Malibu. You have Calabasas saddlery, and Broken Horn both which have custom saddle/tack makers. I think there is another in Burbank, but don’t remember the name.

[PeteyPie]

Thanks, digihorse.

[fordtraktor]

Try the Equilibrium close contact chaps. I used the stable chaps for my horse when he had laminitis and started to get fetlock sores. It worked great. The hardy chaps are OK only if turnout is limited and you have them off in the stall because they are neoprene. You can find them on the World Equestrian Brands outlet page for more reasonable prices.