I have used the EasyCare boots for 5 years.  They will protect your horses feet.  The newer products are much easier to put on that the earlier products.  Once you learn to put them on and take them off, And the new boots get uesd a few times, Its not a big deal to use them. Especially the Newer Easyboot Gloves.

Easyboot just released their new Easyboot Backcountry. which are supposed to be even easier to use.

Personally I have kinda exhausted my efforts in using boots. Bushwacking through down timber and heavy brush, my horses are pretty hard on the boots. Broken cables and buckles, torn gaiters etc. I've decided if the horses can't go barefoot, then they are getting shod.  I just don't have the time to boot and un-boot 3-4-5 horses everytime I take some friends riding with me.

If I were buying new boots today, I'd buy and try the newe back country model they just released.

Also using boots requires that keep your horse properly trimmed.  You are not going to have boots fit if you go 8-10 weeks between trimmings.

I used the Easy Boot Epics for a while. They're great for a lot of things but I had all of the issues metioned above. My horses don't need shoes unless we are going to the mountains and then I just put shoes and pads on. It wore me out to put 8 boots on every day. I won a pair of Renegades at a silent auction and I'll never go back to another boot unless they just won't work for the horse that I own. They are sooo much easier to use (and come in nice colors too).

To be fair though, I have not used the gloves or the newer boots out there made by Easy Care. I have a friend that loves the Old Macs and they have lasted through many seasons. I have a friend that used the Cavallo boot and she didn't think they were extremely easy to put on either...but she hadn't used them for long at that point in time. The Renegades are a little more forgiving in the hoof growth department too.

My friend is following through with boots, so I will copy all your posts. She's owned the horse about a year, and she's had him on DAC biotin ever since.

I sure appreciate all your input, Friends. Thanks to all for the responses.

Ok- watched a youtube video on Easyboots very newest boot. (The Easy boot Glove  back country) This looks to be a better boot than the Cavallo boot for sure. It is made with the Easyboot Glove boot. (Which I think the Glove  to be awesome)It has a soft flap that fits around the bulbs of the heels. ( This is where most rubs occure- heel bulbs)Then the back wraps around the protected heel bulb parts. ( A much better design) I would try this boot out for sure!

Tara

RE: Bob's post about boots rubbing and not working for lots of miles, etc...Google Karen Chaton. She recently rode the entire pony express ride in Easy Boots and has ridden exclusively in them for years. This ride was 2,000 or 2,500 miles. I can't remember exactly but it was loooong. A properly applied boot will work in just about any situation.

I have my own reasons for booting or not but I know they can be used for extensive riding. Just ask those 100 mile endurance riders. They're not out for a happy walk in the park! :)

Most of the distance riders are taking boots to the extreme.  They wrap the hoof with vet wrap or tape, fill the boot with Goober glue or Vettc to glue the boot on. They are putting  lot more effort into their boots than most folks want to spend for an afternoon ride.

So can hoof boots be used for distance rides.  Absoutely with the exra effort.

So it's not fair to say you can't use boots for distance rides, but it's also not fair to disclose the extra effort tat it requires.

Point taken Painted horse. You are correct. Those 100 milers do work pretty hard to keep the boots on. I should have mentioned that. Some of those people do use boots regularly on training rides though and I don't think that they do as much to keep them on as they would in competition. Especially those that ride lower mileage. It's sort of like saddles, it's important to get the right type of boot for the hoof you are trying to fit.

 I have used boots on one trip riding about 10-15 miles each day with no issues, then used the same boots on another trip with similar conditions and they rubbed. (Actuallly, the gaitors rubbed not the boots themselves.) That's why I now use shoes. I don't have the time or patience to mess with them anymore when I'm on vacation.

They are designed to fit a barefoot horse.  And generally one in good trim.  Too long between trims and the boots won't fit.   I guess you could oversize the boot to fit over a shoe., But why?

No it is not rocky where we live or the pasture situation..my farrier recommended barfoot for the winter as the snow and ice getting packed in his feet were a huge concern and he says it gives the hooves a chance to toughen up...but to ride him he has to be shod because of the rotated coffin bone..no way will I ride him barefoot.  I was considering boots ( not sure which ones yet) for riding this season..and keeping him barfoot.  I had never heard of the boots being used on a shod horse..so I asked...In the past when we go somewhere rough / rocky  I usually had pads put on to help in avoiding damage to the sole...

  I am still on the fence about the boots..lost in the mud, parts breaking, rubbing,   it is starting to sound like more trouble than they are worth... JMHO

I went 5 years barefoot, and my horse covered almost any kind of terrain you can imagine barefoot.  I only booted for the 2nd or 3 rd day of a ride. I never had a rub, never lost a boot in mud or snow. Usually if I lost a boot it was because I rode through some think bush, downed timber etc. By time you notice it's gone, you are wondering, do I really want to go back through that mess of pick up sticks to try and find the lost boot.  We also often had boots pulled off when they got wedged between rocks on the trail.

I still leave my horses barefoot most of the year. I have a pile of boots I use if I'm out for a serious ride in the off season. But when summer comes, I've decided it's easy to spend an hour an put shoes on every 8 weeks than to mess with boots on the trail. They always get lost, tear or get damaged when I'm the farthest point away from my trailer and spares.  Trails like these, The boots will protect the hooves until they break or get stuck between the rocks and pull off.

And the end up looking like these at the end of the day,  The stayed on, But basially need to be replaced.

I rarely boot the rear feet.  usually doing the front hooves is enough.  I ride the desert a lot in the spring. But these are cabin fever rides where we trailer someplace for a long weekend of riding.  Too early in the year too need shoes for more than the one weekend. So boots work for that weekend.  This horse was shod, but show the terrain that we ride

It is all about your commitment level for keeping the horse trimmed and the time spent putting on and taking off boots.  One horse is no big deal.  If you need to tack up 4 horses like I usually do, I decided it's just too much time  If my horses can't do it barefoot,  They are getting sod.

Like I said the easiest to apply would be the Cavallo boots. Yes, they are "clunky" but they will do the job and not come off. What I finally found to work for the rubbing on the heel bulbs is moleskin. I bought a role of "moleskin" with sticky adhesive on the backing and stuck it to the back (inside) of the cavallo boots and it worked. No rubbing. Just be sure to clean the inside of the boot or do this when boot is new before use would be best. And when it is warm or leave the boots in a warm area or in the house after applying the sticky moleskin. adhesives always "set" better in warm conditions.

Also, have the hind feet shod and boot the front. A friend of mine does this and I think I will do the same this summer. The hind feet are always the hardest to boot. Also, this is less wear and tear on your back because yes.... it is tedious.

Good luck!

PaintedHorse..fabulous pix..you are very lucky to have such a spectaular places to ride..I am envious   ;)

Thanks for a peek into your riding terrain and riding conditions..I feel so silly, after seeing where you ride, to be so concerned..LOL