Suggestions on boots for barefoot transition?

[Pookah]

I know that there are a million threads discussing variations on this already, but I searched through them and can't find quite what I'm looking for. I have a 32 year old retired TB dressage horse. I've had him for 16 years, during which he has always had not great feet, with very thin soles. His front feet have a tendency toward underrun heels. He retired about 7 years ago, and a few years ago I pulled his back shoes when it got uncomfortable for him to hold his leg up for extended periods for the farrier. Results were fabulous--once he got past the initial soreness, his feet look great and the dropped pasterns he's had his whole life actually look a bit better. He's currently boarded at a wonderful farm where pretty much his entire existence is on good footing. He has a deeply bedded stall with rubber mats, which opens to a small grass/sand paddock. He's turned out daily in a 5 acre grass field, and just has to walk across about 15' of sand to get there, and about five steps on a concrete aisle. No gravel, no rocks anywhere. I'd really like to transition him to barefoot if he can do it comfortably. He lost a shoe, and I decided to go ahead and use it as an opportunity to transition to barefoot, which was not smart but I'm going to try to make a go of it if he can. It's been about four days, and he is very sore. I have him in an Easyboot on one foot, and a Davis boot on the other, because that's all I had a pair of. My thought is to use boots every day until he's less sore, then start every other day, etc, and see if he gets to where he's comfortable without. So, I went today to purchase a second Easyboot, and I'm overwhelmed by the options. It sounds like the Boa boot would maybe be a good option, but I'm just not willing to spend that kind of money without a few of you telling me that you're madly in love with them :). I'm not crazy about the basic Easyboot, it just doesn't look that comfortable to me for long-term use, and he pops it off often enough to be aggravating. So, any suggestions? Which boots do you guys recommend for this type of situation?

[Sandy M]

I was puzzling through all the options, and one of the guys at my BIG local tack/feed store, whose dad is a farrier, recommended the Old Macs. So I bought a pair. Haven't used 'em yet, because I haven't been able to find anyone to trail ride with yet, and I'm not ready to solo on the trails with my greener-than-green 4 year old.

[Patty Lynch]

You need to be extra cautious bringing a thin soled horse out of shoes.

A shod hoof holds more moisture content in the sole which is why the shod foot exfoliates differently/more easily than a bare foot.

Moist = flexible/soft

flexible/soft + thin = recipe for ouch!

Boots will keep the foot moist, no matter what boot you choose.

Are you painting/packing his soles with anything?

Are you removing the boots when he's stalled?

Magic Cushion and Durasole are your friends ;)

[matryoshka]

Typing this for the second time today because the dratted kitten played on the keyboard and lost my original post!

Boots:
Keep in mind that most boots are not designed for 24-hour use. The ones commonly used for riding retain moisture and need to be taken off for at least an hour a day to dry the hoof and the clean the boot. People often sprinkle medicated athlete's foot powder in the boots before applying.

The shape of your horse's hoof will influence which boot you choose. Measure the width at the quarters and the length from toe to the rearmost weight-bearing portion of the hoof. If the feet are as wide as they are long, then the original Old Macs are a good option. These boots go up over the coronet and therefore require a break-in period. They are sometimes sold with gaitors for use the first few times, or for everyday use if your horse has sensitive skin. They'll help prevent rubs the first few times you use the boots.

There are more options for hooves that are longer than they are wide, and your choice is influenced by how much money and effort you want to apply. Plain Easyboots are cheap, but they come off easily when stepped on. If you go with these, spray paint them a bright color before use so you can find them when they get pulled off. :) The advantage is that they don't go over the coronet band, but some horses get rubs at the heels. If you like the style but want them to stay on better, go for the Easyboot Epic, which has a gaiter that wraps around the pastern to keep them on better. They can still get pulled off, and gaiters can rip. I use Epics for trail riding.

Some people like Cavallos and Boas. Cavallos are cheaper, easy to put on, and require a break-in period. I'd use them with gaitors or vet wrap the coronet and pastern for the first few uses. I'm not fond of Boas, since I think they are hard to get on when snug enough, and the dial leaves an impression on the hoof. Some people love them.

Renegades are a newer style of boot out there. They should be fine for turnout and should be easy to put on.

Castle Boots can be purchased from Centaur forge. These are good for turnout because they have canvas sides rather than rubber and shouldn't trap moisture as badly as the other boots mentioned above. I had trouble with them being pulled off during turnout. Again, I'd spray paint 'em before turning the horse out in a large field in these. IMO, these are only good for turnout, not for riding.

If your horse is very sore, you may consider investing in Soft Ride boots. These come with serious pads, and I think you can order the amount of firmness you want in the pad. They are also good for turnout because they allow air to flow to the walls.

If your horse is mildly sore and you mostly just want to pad his foot, you can go with the Equine Slipper. A lot of vets carry these around. They don't last long, but they might do the trick for the short term use you are planning.

Pads:
For all but the Equine Slipper, you can buy pads of varying thickness from www.easycareinc.com (http://www.easycareinc.com). Cut them to fit. My flat footed OTTB did very well with a leather pad cut to fit inside his boots. He had round feet and went well in Old Macs. Leather pads can be purchased at a farrier supply store. Chances are your farrier carries them in his rig.

I hope this helps. There are some other options out there, but these are ones I've either had personal experience with or have read a lot about. Other options include the Sabre Sneaker, Hoofwings, Easyboot Bares, and Marquis.

[Pookah]

Thanks for the advice so far! You guys are already asking questions I should have thought to include :). So, in answer:

Removing the boots when he's stalled--it depends. I live 30 minutes away, so I would like to limit myself to one trip per day. The barn owner is very willing to take boots on/off, BUT it's not an option with the "regular" Easyboots, because she physically has a hard time getting them on. That looked like one point in favor of the Boas, and I'd love feedback on that--if I can find an easy on/off option, she will take them on and off. If not, I will take them off daily when I'm there, and at least a few days a week make the trip twice so that he could have 8-12 hours out of them.

Painting/Packing--Currently painting with Venice turpentine, and planning to pack with Forshner's in a couple of days (can't really combine that and the Venice turp :-)). Also using SoreNoMore; it's probably just that I'm suggestible to the name, but I always think it sounds like it will make them feel better. Planning to order the cushion pads with whichever boots I go with. But open to suggestions.

Shape--His feet are quite round. I will try to take some pics tomorrow.

Thanks all--please keep the suggestions coming!

[matryoshka]

If they are truly round, Old Macs might meet your needs the best. After the first few times when I did a lot of cussing, I found them easy to apply.

My horse broke the buckle almost immediately, so I cut the buckle straps off and still logged plenty of miles in them without having them pulled off even once. This same horse ripped the gaitors on at least two pairs of Epics. The problem with the Easyboot/Epics is that they were too long and delayed his breakover, allowing more time for the hind foot to come up and yank the boot off.

[WaningMoon]

ON the easycare.com site there is a comparison amongst the boa,easyboot,epic,bare,custom,oldmac and oldmacG2. This is just filled with information. They explain the different treads and why one that is too grippy isn't good for normal use. The width Vs length measurements with size charts. They have pull down menus just full of different info,sizing,applying them and on and on. I just bought some a couple of months ago. I settled on the regular easycare although I really wanted to do the custom easycares but for me $60 a piece was enough. I really wanted some that did not come above the hoof.

Just ordered two more from another site other tahn easycare and paid $40. Weird. Easycare charged me $12 extra for my size.
I Just lvoe them. She is not tender at all in them and she was before. I have not had one come off. I did not buy the optional gaiter that turns them into the epic. I'm very happy with them.

I am ordering studs for them after reading about how good they are on the winter roads as we get alot of winter. I would investigate the site whether you want any of those models or not as it is worth it for the info alone.

[S1969]

You've gotten good advice so far. I have Boas for my TB and they worked quite well although NOT good in ice, which I found out when we had an unexpected ice storm. Luckily she's quite sensible and I got her into the barn safely but it was very scary. I had Cavallos for my lame draft mare and they are very easy to use but a bit clunky. They have larger holes than the Boas in the bottom to let air in/out, but if you have wet turnout then the horse's feet are definitely very wet and no chance of drying.

I was lucky to find a distributor of Easy Boots nearby and he was great - let me take them and try them on using a clean stocking over the hoof. In fact, my draft mare had to be put down this past summer and he'll take my boots back as a trade next time I go. Check the Easy Boot website to see if there are any distributors near you - my guy sold Easy Boots and Cavallos.

Definitely take tracings of the feet as well as measure. The shape of the hoof definitely dictates the boot type; my TB's feet are quite oval and the Cavallos were very round and just did not fit well.

[Acertainsmile]

I had really good luck with Durasole when I pulled shoes off my OTTB... he had shoes on consistantly for over 9 yrs, thin walls, etc... Durasole really helped!

I was also looking into boots for him. It's worth a try, and a lot cheaper than the boots!

[mhtokay]

The Renegade boot was recommended to me, but I've not bought any.

http://renegadehoofboots.com/index.html

If anyone here has used these for riding, i'd be interested in hearing how they were.

I had a pair of Boa boots awhile back for riding, but had trouble with grass getting caught in the front knob and having them loosen. I think they changed the design, but it was a problem for me back then.

[Bogie]

I had my thin soled Trakehner barefoot for about 10 weeks while his hooves were growing out. I used Easyboot Epics with thinline pads at the beginning because he was so sore. When it was really dry I left them on overnight (he's out 24/7) but as soon as he could stand it, I turned him out on grass barefoot. I used durasole to help toughen up the soles.

He got to the point where he was comfortable enough on grass, but man, it would have taken a lot longer to get him comfortable enough to ride without the boots! He has happy feet now that his shoes are back on.

[spacehorse]

I just pulled the shoes off my 24 yo TB with navicular. I have been toying with doing it for years now, he hasn't carried a rider in 5. He has had bar shoes on from age 10-20. When I retired him I couldn't keep the bar shoes on, so he got regular steel shoes with a 1 degree wedge pad. He has had those on for 5 years. He grows ALL toe.

I was really concerned about pulling his shoes, cause he is one of those 'mental' types, I was worried he would just stand in the field and not move, not eat, etc.

So, I had a nice chat with my farrier the day he did it (I could not be there). I told him if he thought he couldn't handle it, to put them back on.

Well, 2 weeks later, and absolutely nothing on his feet, he is absolutely happy (as am I). This horses sole had not felt ground in 5 years.

I really thought the transition would be crappy, and he would be miserable.

I guess what I am getting at is to give it a shot with nothing. It may surprise you. :yes:

My experiences with those boots are very limited, but from that, they are a serious PITA, especially getting them fitted properly. JMO :)

[Pookah]

Wow, thanks for all of the great replies! I live in NC, so I don't think I have the benefit of nearby distributors, but I also don't really have to deal with ice (we might get it once every 5 years or so, but the horses stay in for a day or two). And even then, it's not "real" ice :). Spacehorse-I may tape your post over his stall, for easy reference when I'm feeling guilty--I told the farrier that shoes if needed or no shoes if not was fine with me, so I'm hoping that he knows better than me. . . And based on lots of comments, I will definitely be tracking down Durasole tomorrow!

[tpup]

Ditto on the Old Macs. I use Easyboot Epics for the trail but once tried the Old Macs and compared to the back wrenching and sweating I have with the Easyboots, the Old Macs were so easy. The ones I used were even a tiny bit big but did great on a long trail ride. They were SO easy to put on. I love hoof boots. They have enabled me to keep my guy barefoot while still riding on rocky, wooded trails with lots of tree roots, acorns, etc along the way :)

[Sparky Boy]

My horse came out of shoes about two months ago, only because he kept pulling them off. I also decided it was a good time to try going barefoot. I bought a pair of Old Mac G2s and used them in turn-out and rode in them a few times. I also pulled them off when he was inside. They were relatively easy to get on and off.

I also painted with venice turpentine, used Keratex hoof hardener and even did equicast for about a week and half - until that fell off.

Patty Lynch - You saw this horse, don't know if you remember.

I'm very happy to report that two months later, he's sound on grass to ride. :)

[sign of Grace]

I just wish they made them in a bigger size.

I have a 17.1H Dutch gelding that was in size 5's before I pulled his shoes...he's wearing a size 3 Easyboot Epic which is good, but I don't like it quite as much as the Renegade's which I got for...

My 14.2H QH gelding who wears a modified size 0 I think it is. They are SUPER easy to get on and off. The only problem thus far is the velcro seems to wear out pretty quickly, however my trimmer gave me an extra couple sets so I can replace them.

Both seem to provide about the same amount of protection, although it's not a super fair comparison as the QH has rock hard feet and good concavity compared to my WB. The Epics need some work to get on but seem to come off pretty easily.

Both pairs of boots have probably around 30-40 miles each on them and they've both held up the same I'd say other than the velcro thing on the Renegades. That would not stop me from buying my big guy Renegades however if they made them in a bigger size.

They've both been barefoot about 8 weeks and they go without their boots soundly everywhere except on real rocky trails.

Hope that helps.

[LarkspurCO]

If the feet are as wide as they are long, then the original Old Macs are a good option.

Why do you like the original Old Mac's versus the G2?


Plain Easyboots are cheap, but they come off easily when stepped on. If you go with these, spray paint them a bright color before use so you can find them when they get pulled off. :)

LOL. I have a can of fluorescent orange spray paint for that very purpose. Too bad I didn't think of it before. I've been searching for a boot in the pasture for a month now.

[matryoshka]

I like the original OM for horses whose feet are as wide as they are long. Butch's feet measured 5.75" in length and width. The original OM boots fit him perfectly. The G2's are for more oblong feet.

To get Epics to fit those wide, short feet so he wouldn't pull them off or rip the gaiter required a lot of modification. He needed size 3 for width and size 2 for length. So I'd buy size 3 Easyboots at the local tack shop then order size 2 gaiters and heel straps online. I cut out the back of the boot as close the sole as I could. Then I'd wrestle the smaller heel straps and gaiters on. This allowed him to breakover sooner and get the hoof out of the way of his hind feet. I tried it with the Bares, but one misstep in mud let the boot stay in the mud a bit instead of coming up with the hoof, and he caught the gaiter with a hind foot and ripped it. The darn things are too expensive to have to replace as often.

Having said that, boots that come up over the coronet are not recommended for high mileage. So while we trained in the original OM's, I planned to compete him in the modified Epics. Actually, since I liked the Bare tread better, I planned to put up clips on the Bares and use them. Unfortunately, Butch made it very clear he was sick of trail riding, so I found a home for him where he can do some jumping.

Unmodified Epics were fine for his hind feet. He took size 2 in the back.

Oh, I also liked the treads better on OM than on Epics. We had difficulty going down grassy hills in the dew or after a rain with the Epics. Never had trouble with slippage with either the Bares or the OM boots.

[LuckyWun]

I have a TB that cant keep shoes on. He constantly has hunks of hoof missing everytime I pull him from pasture (out 24/7). Which of these boots can i keep on him? Its only his fronts that are bad.

[Pookah]

What a brilliant idea about painting them orange!!!!!!! I was trekking around with a flashlight looking for his current boots tonight, not fun!

[matryoshka]

I have a TB that cant keep shoes on. He constantly has hunks of hoof missing everytime I pull him from pasture (out 24/7). Which of these boots can i keep on him? Its only his fronts that are bad.Are you talking about for riding or for turnout? If he's okay turned out barefoot and you aren't a high-mileage rider, then you might consider getting boots that go up over the coronet. The coronet and pastern may need to be protected with a gaiter or vet wrap until the boots are broken in a bit.

The boot you choose will be somewhat dependent on whether your horse has an oblong or round footprint. Reiterate: original Old Macs are good for round feet. Just about every other style I've seen are designed for oblong feet. Old Macs, Old Mac Generation 2's, Boas, and Cavallos all go over the coronet and will resist being pulled off better. If your horse overreaches a lot (tends to hit his heels with the back feet), then even boots with attached gaiters (such as Epics and Bares) will get pulled off from time to time.

I have not yet found a boot that is good on a club foot. They turn and cause rubs.

[LuckyWun]

I need something that will protect him while he's turned out. Thats where he looses his shoes and thats where his feet tend to get messed up. He is sound to ride barefoot, atleast i think so (he lost a shoe once and i rode him on good footing and he was fine) but i'm not 100% sure.

The farrier has been out atleast twice this month to trim the ragged areas and put the shoe back on. I'm going broke!:eek:

[Pookah]

Okay, for those familiar with different brands, horse has roundish feet. I measured them today and one front hoof is 5" across, 4" front to back. The other is 5 1/4" across, 4 1/2" front to back. So far I was leaning toward the Simple Boots from Cavallo, but based on their chart it looks like they may not be the best fit for him. I am going to trace his feet and take the tracings to my local dealer to "see" what they look like in the boots, but open to other ideas as well. Thanks!

[Karma]

I actually would not choose boots for a horse in transition. Just too much fuss on and off.

There are some GREAT new products out there for this scenario. There is a pour in pad that adheres to the sole- no shoe needed and gives some cushion and protection, while allowing the hoof wall to contact the ground.

There are two casting products out there. I have used Perfect Hoof Wear and it acts like a resin shoe around the edges of the hoof wall and wears down throughout the trimming cycle, thus providing more exposure of the hoof to the ground.

There are also epoxi resins that adhere to the hoof wall that can act as a barrier between the hoof wall and ground surfaces.

I would not go with boots, but would choose one of the above options that best fit my horses needs. All of these products are meant to provide some protection during a transition period.

[Patty Lynch]

Patty Lynch - You saw this horse, don't know if you remember.

I'm very happy to report that two months later, he's sound on grass to ride. :)

I was rooting around for something for a client and I just saw this, Sparky! I remember your GORGEOUS boy :yes:

I am so happy for you both that he is bare and doing well :) That ROCKS!!

BTW... if he ever shows up missing... don't be suprised if he's tucked away at my house :lol: Such a handsome fella ;)

[islandrider]

If the cavallos fit, I say go for them. They really helped my horse transition, and he too, had very thin soles. I used them for 1 1/2 years while we did the barefoot, but kept them on him 100% of the time for the first 6 weeks. Luckily he didn't have pastern rubs. At first I put a pad in the sole, as he was very sore.... I have also shimmed the sides with rubber or foam such as after a trim, but over the coarse of barefoot his feet rounded out magnificently. I never lost one, either. One tip: once you know they will work for your horse, waterproof them, and continue to clean them real good, especially the velcro. Good luck!

[Sparky Boy]

I was rooting around for something for a client and I just saw this, Sparky! I remember your GORGEOUS boy :yes:

I am so happy for you both that he is bare and doing well :) That ROCKS!!

BTW... if he ever shows up missing... don't be suprised if he's tucked away at my house :lol: Such a handsome fella ;)

Thanks! Now I'll know where to look!!!

Yes, he is doing quite well. It was kind of neat to see how the bottom of his feet changed from when the shoes came off until now.

[BornToRide]

I like the Easyboots best overall - easy to apply and work well. I try to stay away from anything that might rub the hairline and increases the breakover too much, like the Old Macs do for example. Boa and Cavallo boots seem to work pretty good on horses that have more of an upright pastern conformation, but tend to rub on others.

[Secretariat2]

What a brilliant idea about painting them orange!!!!!!! I was trekking around with a flashlight looking for his current boots tonight, not fun!

I once found a Boa boot when bush hogging - chopped it into several pieces :mad:

[Equus_girl]

Be very carefull with Cavallos and their fit. I did all the measurements and it seemed like they fit good, the horse seemed to be comfortable. My horse was on stall with paddock rest, so wasnt moving that much and I left them on. When I took them off 4 days later his heels were severely bruised :(