Posted 2008-03-23 11:58 AM (#80180) Subject: Hoof Boots
Veteran
Posts: 270 Location: Roanoke IL
I have used old mac's hoof boots successfully on an old foundered horse of mine. I have a new QH who has thin tender soles (just how he is) and my farrier and I both agree on hoof boots for rocky trail rides to keep him from getting bruised. Farrier measured his hoof to be 5 1/2 x 5 1/2. He has nice round big solid feet. Has anyone used the Boa hoof boot? On the website it says "not recommended for endurance riding" Why? What's the point of it then? I really don't do "endurance" but I ride on some rough muddy trail. The boa's sizing just seemed to be more tailored to the round shape of his hoof when compared to either the old macs or easy boot, and I wouldn't dream of using the cavallo simple boot. The velcro closures would be mud crusted and would never stay shut. Are boas ok to trail ride with?
Posted 2008-03-23 1:36 PM (#80192 - in reply to #80180) Subject: RE: Hoof Boots
Expert
Posts: 2828 Location: Southern New Mexico
Why not continue with the old mac's? With round feet youd have to use the originals not the 2'nd gen. I had a gelding with very round feet and they fit him well. I use old mac's on all 4 of ours trail riding. I'm not positive but I looked at the different types of boots before ordering them and the biggest difference was the potential for rubbing on long rides. Some of them sell a insert/sleeve to help protect the horse from the rubbing. Your best bet on that is to call boa and ask them why it's not recomended for endurance rides.
Posted 2008-03-23 2:23 PM (#80195 - in reply to #80180) Subject: RE: Hoof Boots
Expert
Posts: 1205 Location: Arkansas
The boa is great for trail riding, I like using the gaiter (with any boot) we have used em as needed and never worn one out, and it is very rocky here, with creeks and mud also in the average ride. Rides about 12 miles at at time, mostly walking with a bit of trotting and cantering. Good luck with whatever you get!
Posted 2008-03-23 4:00 PM (#80203 - in reply to #80180) Subject: RE: Hoof Boots
Expert
Posts: 2453 Location: Northern Utah
The Boa are easier to put on than the other EasyBoots. I've got a neighbor who used them for a year and said her horse got bruises from the tightening mechanism. Another person I talked with said they busted the knob off. I think if you are riding in an arena or sandy trails they are fine.
I started out with EasyBoot Epics and broke a lot cables and buckles. Frustrated at having to repair and replace so many boots, I switched to the EasyBoot Bares. They have held up very well and I ride some really nasty country. They are a little tougher to put on. Especially when new. But once they are broke in and you learn how to work with them, I find them pretty easy to put on. And I've yet to have one come off and get lost. No buckles or cables to break. I know others who are very happy with the Epic's But I just don't think they have their horses going through the rough stuff like I do, rather they stay on the trail.
Some Easyboot Epics after 6 miles of mountain trails.
This is why my Epics & Boas don't last. The horses just don't lift the feet high enough when they cross through the boulder fields
Posted 2008-03-23 7:07 PM (#80216 - in reply to #80203) Subject: RE: Hoof Boots
Regular
Posts: 91 Location: Small Town, Texas
I got the easy boot epics and love them. I have used them in the black clay mudd and they have stayed on. I sure don't ride anything like what Painted does...if I did I am sure they would fall apart and so would I LOL!!!!
Posted 2008-03-30 5:01 PM (#80713 - in reply to #80180) Subject: RE: Hoof Boots
Elite Veteran
Posts: 610 Location: Northern CA
I use the Cavallo (Simple boot) on both my Standardbreds and I really like them. I don't have a problem with them coming off at all. I do trail and long distance riding as well as camping. They are easy to put on. Never had problems going through water or mud either. I do use the "Gaiter" with them for long rides. I make sure that I rinse off their feet and pasterns after riding so as to remove sweat and debri that may irritate them the next time you boot up.
Posted 2008-03-31 8:29 AM (#80779 - in reply to #80180) Subject: RE: Hoof Boots
Veteran
Posts: 270 Location: Roanoke IL
Do those cavallo boots only attach with velcro? Don't they get impossible to fasten after getting mud or burrs on them? That was my main deterrant from looking at those, I know that even with the velcro on the old macs (completely covered up and on the inside) crud still got in there and made the velcro less grippy.
Posted 2008-04-01 1:26 AM (#80865 - in reply to #80779) Subject: RE: Hoof Boots
Elite Veteran
Posts: 610 Location: Northern CA
I always rinse my Cavallo boots off after use if it is in mud or the horse has sweat a lot and they are covered in salty horse sweat.. Just rinse the velcro good. The burrs can get real frustrating but I do pick them out every time. There is a metal brush that you can purchase that you would use to "comb" out the burr stickers from the velcro.Also, I don't think people realize that they really need to rinse the horses legs and pasterns when using boots. Salty sweat when left on skin is not a good thing and will cause rub spots when skin is not rinsed well with clean water. I have had my boots for two summers now and they work for me. Just don't leave them out in the sun- the leather will dry out. I use leather therapy on them to keep the leather in good shape. At the last horse Expo here(CA.) there was someone selling the "Davis Boot" It was blue and a nylon type of material instead of leather. I bought a pair and used them in water and didn't like them. They warped or when wet, lost theyr'e shape. The leather Cavallo boots are much better in my opinion. I tried the easy boots and they never hold up- always the cables are fraying or the whole clip on the front just coming off. Haven't tried the "Renengade boots"yet but those look interesting as well.
Posted 2008-04-01 1:31 AM (#80866 - in reply to #80779) Subject: RE: Hoof Boots
Elite Veteran
Posts: 610 Location: Northern CA
OOps- last post of mine. That is "Renegade boot" not Renengade!! Sorry.
Yes the Cavallo boot is all velcro but it is so strong. You would have to actually look at one and open it up to see how it works. You actually velcro four times.(4 pieces)
Posted 2008-04-02 2:26 PM (#80984 - in reply to #80968) Subject: RE: Hoof Boots
Elite Veteran
Posts: 610 Location: Northern CA
Terri,
There is another riding boot called the "Davis" boot. It is almost identical to the Cavallo Boot except that it is nylon material instead of leather. I know you are probably speaking of the plastic "Davis" boot for soaking and medicating hooves correct? If I remember correctly, the guy that invented the Cavallo Boot also invented this"Davis" riding shoe that I am speaking of. Something to do with the contract of the company that was selling his Cavallo Boot and him getting screwed some how on the patent or something like that so he came out with the "Davis" boot somewhat replicating the Cavallo boot.
Posted 2008-04-03 7:59 AM (#81027 - in reply to #80180) Subject: RE: Hoof Boots
Veteran
Posts: 270 Location: Roanoke IL
Okay, so I looked into the cavallo boots. Why don't you measure width? Is that not taken into account? I realize that they're trying to keep things simple, but after being trimmed my horse's feet measured 5 1/2x 5 1/2. They're very circular. I just wonder if a hoof shaped like that would go into a cavallo boot. The old old macs were more round, but the G2 old macs have much better designing aside from the longer more narrow shape. I've put boas out of the picture. I like the cavallo colors, they'd sure make it easy to find a lost boot. And I think it would be a good conversation starter as well! LOL!
Posted 2008-04-03 8:57 PM (#81098 - in reply to #81082) Subject: RE: Hoof Boots
Elite Veteran
Posts: 610 Location: Northern CA
Terri-
OOps-!!! My bad! It is the "Delta Boot" not the Davis boot-sorry! I had to go to the horse-trailer to get something and saw the box with the advertisement on it.
Posted 2008-04-03 9:03 PM (#81100 - in reply to #81027) Subject: RE: Hoof Boots
Elite Veteran
Posts: 610 Location: Northern CA
Angelmay-
I know some of the boots do state that- "If your horse has a very ROUND hoove, this may not be the right option for your horse." I noticed that my boots are more round than both my horses hooves though. Plenty of room on the sides. And they still don't twist or turn.
Posted 2008-04-11 3:13 PM (#81705 - in reply to #81100) Subject: RE: Hoof Boots
Expert
Posts: 2828 Location: Southern New Mexico
Angelmay-
I know some of the boots do state that- "If your horse has a very ROUND hoove, this may not be the right option for your horse." I noticed that my boots are more round than both my horses hooves though. Plenty of room on the sides. And they still don't twist or turn.
That is why I started using the old mac originals. My gelding has very round front feet and all the other boots said they would not fit round feet.
Posted 2008-04-12 5:25 PM (#81759 - in reply to #80180) Subject: RE: Hoof Boots
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 489 Location: CA
I have the Old Macs (1st generation) for my gelding who has round hooves. They work well with that type of hoof shape, which is why I got them. However, the buckle on the outside got bent the last time I rode with them. It seems to be made of brass...Maybe that's too soft as a hoof buckle metal? I think they worked some of the kinks out on the new style. I'd still buy the same ones for this horse.
Hoof Boots
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