Anyone use hoof boots for jumping? Or othe riding? (Like Old Mac)

[J. Turner]

I am trying to let my horse's feet grow out barefoot. I would like to use the Old Mac boots I got for riding, but for more than light trot they seem kind of bulky. Any suggestions?

[Evalee Hunter]

I am pretty sure mbj (who happens to be someone I know personally) said on a thread once that she jumped in Old Macs. It might be worth PMing her & asking, if you don't get the answers you want here.

[furlong47]

They work fine. I haven't jumped in them but did a lot of trail riding, W/T/C/G with no problem.

[*Battle Worthy*]

A horse in my barn wears his Old Mac's for everything, including jumping. They do look really clunky, but he goes great in them!

[J. Turner]

That's good to know. I don't want to be stumbling all over the place. We're trying to go barefoot ... at least for awhile until we grow some hoof.

[*Battle Worthy*]

They have been a miracle for the horse at my barn - he has horrible feet and can't keep shoes on for more than 3 weeks, but he was near crippled without them. The farrier recommended Old Mac's and he measured the horse himself. His owner could not be more thrilled with the boots and she doesn't worry about doing anything with him anymore. They look silly, but they work!!

[Bogie]

I have jumped in Easy Boot Bares. But I only used them behind. I hunted in them for two seasons and they worked fine.

I have jumped my other horse with an Easy Boot epic up front when he pulled a shoe the day before a hunter pace. It stayed on tight and he never took a step wrong.

[CosMonster]

I knew a woman who jumped pretty high pretty consistently in Old Macs and didn't seem to have any problems. You might want to discuss with your farrier which brand to get, though, as different boots fit different shapes of hooves better.

[J. Turner]

Maybe I got too big a size ... he seems a bit clumsy in them.

[TrakGeorge]

I never had any expierence with them. Do they provide the same kind of support as a normal shoe or that of a egg bar?

[Sulta]

My daughter's jumped her pony in them - and he did fine. We didn't do anything high (2'3"-2'6"), so not sure if I'd go real high when he was wearing them.

They fit him well - his movement didn't change at all when he was wearing them. They did not "feel" clumsy at all. Look a bit odd, but he was happy.

[J. Turner]

I never had any expierence with them. Do they provide the same kind of support as a normal shoe or that of a egg bar?

The sole provides traction on the bottom and lots of support and cushion, but the sole on the inside is flat. My horse has flat feet and it hasn't seemed to bother him.

http://www.oldmacs.com.au/

The people who distribute Easy Boots distribute Old Macs in the US.

[Daydream Believer]

I have a client who jumps small fences with her horse while booted in OM's. She says they do just fine.

I highly recommend using comfort pads inside. They provide support to the bottom of the hoof and will help keep them snug also. They will also help with concussion.

[TheOtherHorse]

My semi-retired horse goes in Old Macs now. She does fine in them, for the most part, but she does stumble a bit on more challenging downhill terrain. Also while turned out with them on she jumped the pasture fence, and she ended up catching the top rail of the fence and popping it off. I attribute her lack of scope and coordination on that jump to the boots being awkward. But then it was a 4' fence, I'm sure she would be fine jumping 2' or maybe even 2'6" with the boots on.

I honestly don't like the Old Macs though. They're so bulky and clunky. I much prefer EasyBoots, but my old girl has very wide hooves and the original old macs are the only ones that fit her shape. :(

[AZ Native]

You will increase your chances for success by having them professionally fitted. Too, as someone else said, then you can try several options, as well as the Old Mac's.Some ( maybe most ) barefoot timmers will trade out if you purchase from them.The prices are typically better than buying through a retail store. I would suggest looking into the Renegades as well. Good luck !