Please Recommend Bell Boots!!!

[CamdenLab]

My horse recieved a new set of aluminum shoes today. Spendy suckers, aren't they? We're trying to get him to grow more heel, so he's got some shoe extending from his hoof in the back. He suggested bell boots while riding as to not grab the shoes with his hind feet. He does run around in his pasture, too, so I'd like to leave them on him 24/7 (he does not get stalled).

Please suggest something comfortable, functioning in mud (I am in Oregon and there are a couple muddy spots in his field that he enjoys wallowing in) and that won't rub him. But, of course, still work well.

Thanks!

[Auventera Two]

Professional's Choice Quick Wrap. NOT the no-turn boots. No-turn boots have a hard knob in the back that can rub and irritate for extended use. Libbey has been wearing the Quick Wraps since the beginning of Feb. to keep her feet warm (circulation problem.) Anyway, they are easily washed and dried. Just buy 2 or 3 sets (they're cheap) and you can rotate them out. I don't put them on very tight.

[mvp]

Beval's pull-on ribbed bells. They're expensive, perhaps $27 or so. But they're worth it: they don't rub, they do last and are easy to get on/off. My horse had worn them 24/7 for a couple of years, indoors and out, with no problems.

[Jenn2674]

For my horse, I had the best luck with the Davis bell boots. I think they are around $18/pair. Many of the other ones just weren't long enough so they were useless and many other ones would give him rubs since he needed to live in them almost all the time. Davis's have never given him any rubs although we do take them off at night when it is very muddy and he is stalled!

[ThoroughbredFancy]

I vote for Davis bell boots as well. They hold up well and the Velcro is strong. They have never rubbed my guy either.

However, he does manage to get the pull on ones off in the pasture...:rolleyes:

[2horseowner]

One of mine wears bell boots 24/7. I used Davis, Roma, etc. The velcro ones just don't last. He would come in w/ one on, and the other would be somewhere in the field. The velcro always dies after being exposed to wet and mud. I got the easy pull ons from Dover. If I can put them on w/ no issues, everyone can. They will last so much longer!

[Simkie]

Pull ons.

Any velcro bell boot has the potential to rub where the two ends come together.

[JenRose]

Davis velcro bell boots - LOVE em! They do not rub, stay on and provide more coverage than pull ons.

[Queen Latisha]

Another vote for Davis bell boots. They protect well and wear like iron.:D

[dalpal]

Beval's pull-on ribbed bells. They're expensive, perhaps $27 or so. But they're worth it: they don't rub, they do last and are easy to get on/off. My horse had worn them 24/7 for a couple of years, indoors and out, with no problems.

These are my favs too. I liked the gummed colors because they are strechier than the colored ones.

[dalpal]

Oh and yes, the Davis velcro rubbed my TB bloody raw.

[Simkie]

Oh and yes, the Davis velcro rubbed my TB bloody raw.

I had the same experience. Sores the size of a silver dollar on the back of the pasterns after a 30 minute ride.

[EventingJ]

I really liked the davis bell boots, i used them on my tbxperch whenever he had shoes and no rubs. I hate hate hate pull- ons, but they were my only option at the local tack/feed store... so I have a pair of gum rubber pull-ons, which work fine and were cheap ($8), and have not given any rubs to my TB.

[dwblover]

Definitely Professional's Choice Quick Wrap. They are the best because you can put them on a little looser to be sure they cover the back of the shoe. My guy had heel extendors and those bell boots kept them on for riding. However, out in the field he still pulled the shoes off. So, you can actually use two bell boots for each foot. Nothing can get the shoe off then!!! No more lost shoes.

[Green Acres]

Davis bell boots get my vote too!!! :yes: They don't rub my horses and last as well.

[EventerAJ]

Pull ons. The only thing worth using if you have a committed shoe-puller, or if the horse has to wear them 24/7. Gum color is definitely stretchier than any other color; often plain black can be stiff. In general, most average TB types (16h+, size 1 or 2 shoe) are size Large. Petite TBs, smaller-footed QHs are medium. WBs or those with big feet (solid size 2) are extra-large.

You may have to experiment with different brands/sizes; different shapes can rub different horses. For instance, long-necks (http://www.bitofbritain.com/Long_Neck_Pull_On_Bell_Boots_p/0459.htm) are great for horses with longer slender pasterns, but not so much for those with thick, chunky pasterns. Also, if your horse has tall heels, the long neck bells don't cover to the ground (looks like a mini-skirt!).

The bevals/italia (http://www.bitofbritain.com/Italia_Pull_On_Bell_Boots_p/0024.htm) pull ons are super soft and flexible...but expensive...and the only pair of them I had were lost once on xc (found!), and then shredded the second use (my horse was left wearing an "anklet"!). I decided there are other (cheaper!) options...!

These (http://www.doversaddlery.com/easy-stretch-horse-bell-boots/p/X1-0410/cn/120/) are probably my favorite, nice thick bottoms but stretchy enough on top, great price too. They fit a little bit close, though, and could rub some horses with larger pasterns wearing them 24/7.

I also had a pair of Equi-Stretch bells (http://www.doversaddlery.com/equi-stretch-ribbed-horse-bell-boots/p/X1-0406/cn/120/), bright blue, that lasted FOREVER (8 yrs?). My horse lived in them for the last 2 yrs of their existence. They are thinner rubber, so quite stretchy and easy to take on/off, but I never had a horse lose one (sometimes they did get flipped up accidentally!). I didn't like them for xc (not enough "substance"), but for turnout and daily riding they were great. Fit almost any horse, never rubbed since they were so light.

[dalpal]

I have some of the Equi Stretch ones...and I agree, they are super easy to get on and off (just stick to the gum colored ones) AND when the horse rips one, you aren't nearly as upset because they are relatively cheap. :lol:

[easyrider]

I love the Woof Wears, with velcro attachment. Gentle (even the no-turns) and easy to clean, with no danger of a horse pulling it up a leg and getting hurt while turned out. My horse made it his business to throw shoes (also aluminum), and these bell boots worked.

Until he decided one day that he didn't want to wear them anymore, and tore them off repeatedly. We left them off and he stopped throwing shoes all the time. Go figure.

[FolsomBlues]

I have to throw in another vote for Davis. I tried EVERY type of bell boot out there (no-turns, pull on gums, kevlar reinforced) and my guy destroyed every one of them...but not the Davis ones. They're the only brand I'll use for him now. He wore them 24/7 and never got so much as a rub mark. Just make sure you get the right size so that the gap where the velcro meets is almost non-existent.

[sisu27]

I use Davis too. Still don't stay on or last as long as I would like but they are the best of the non-pull-on variety.

The Italian Pull-ons are the best IMO but my boarding facility won't do pull-ons and I don't like leaving them on 24/7.

Used to like the petal ones but haven't used them or even seen them in ages.

[Auventera Two]

I had the same experience. Sores the size of a silver dollar on the back of the pasterns after a 30 minute ride.

Were those the no-turn variety? I've read bad things about that knob rubbing a sore in the middle of the pastern. That's why I won't use the no-turn variety. Not to mention that the no-turn boots are just a lot stiffer than the other varieties.

Sisu - I have a set of petal boots and don't like them. They are stiff and plasticky and the strap around the top to buckle them is a thin plastic. One good step on the back of a boot and that thing would rip in two. I bought them a couple years ago at the local tack store.

[Jo]

These are my all-time favorites -- Miss Mare lived in bell boots for several years and these lasted forever! I always got the gum colored - they are much easier to get on.

http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp?pn=X1-0410&ids=289314810

[TrotTrotPumpkn]

I'm doing basically the same thing as the OP and have killed one pair of velcro bb and am waiting on my pull ons, which I ordered from smartpak...

I wish I had heard that the gum was stretchier before I ordered....I ordered black ;-(

[kookicat]

Westropp Over-reach boots:

http://www.westropphorseboots.co.uk/wob_mark_ii.html

I don't like them- they're so noisy! They are good for XC though, no worries about tripping because they petals tear off.

[Seven-up]

I had the same experience. Sores the size of a silver dollar on the back of the pasterns after a 30 minute ride.

Me three. Talk about guilt when you hop off and see bloody pasterns. I'll never use velcro boots again, just because of that.

If I'm going to leave boots on all the time, I do pull-ons. I have these from Dover: http://www.doversaddlery.com/easy-stretch-horse-bell-boots/p/X1-0410/cn/120/ Not hard to get on and off, durable, and you can't beat the price. The only trouble I have with them is that the XL's are slightly too big for her (L would be too small) so she occasionally takes one off, so I have to play hide and seek with the bell boot in the pasture. But that has nothing to do with the boot itself.


ETA: I have the black ones, and you don't kill yourself trying to get them on. They are stretchy enough without being so stretchy they rip.

[the_other_mother]

I have always had a problem getting those pull on bell boots on and off, they're just too hard of you have arthritic hands, and even if you dont, I think they're too hard to manage. I like anyting with velcro, and the Davis ones are good. Jeffers has a relly well made bell boot with velcro for about $8 a pr/ they're heavier than Davis ones and lasted alot longer.

[Im Natives Last]

I have a TB on 24/7 turnout that has had the same set of Davis bell boots on for 6 months with no problems at all! I love them!

[tpup]

I just saw this thread! My horse was shod today and just to confirm, as this is my first time using bell boots - (same situation as OP). For fit, they should cover the heel but not touch the ground, correct? I got size "L" (of the Dover Easy Stretch ribbed ones - tough to get on but I don't plan on taking them off alot). There is a finger's width from the bottom of the boot to the ground. My index finger fits under there flat. Is that the correct fit?

[EventerAJ]

I just saw this thread! My horse was shod today and just to confirm, as this is my first time using bell boots - (same situation as OP). For fit, they should cover the heel but not touch the ground, correct? I got size "L" (of the Dover Easy Stretch ribbed ones - tough to get on but I don't plan on taking them off alot). There is a finger's width from the bottom of the boot to the ground. My index finger fits under there flat. Is that the correct fit?


If you are just protecting the heels from an overreach or bruise, that fit is ok. I usually like the bottom edge of the bell boot to *just* reach the ground-- that way it helps protect the heels of the shoe from grabbing. However, you don't want the boots too big, or the horse can trip on them. Sometimes too-short/small boots can rub the back of the heels, too.

More important, as far as rubbing goes (esp for 24/7!), is the fit around the pastern. There should be room for one finger (maybe two) to fit in easily on top, able to wiggle and spin the boot. If you can't slip a finger between the pastern and the lip of the boot, it's too tight and will rub. If you can fit 3 fingers, it's too big and will get pulled off or cause the horse to trip.

Experiment with different brands/styles to find which fits best, without rubbing. Sometimes boots which fit perfectly will rub, just the way they are made doesn't suit the horse.

[dalpal]

Were those the no-turn variety? I've read bad things about that knob rubbing a sore in the middle of the pastern. That's why I won't use the no-turn variety. Not to mention that the no-turn boots are just a lot stiffer than the other varieties.

Sisu - I have a set of petal boots and don't like them. They are stiff and plasticky and the strap around the top to buckle them is a thin plastic. One good step on the back of a boot and that thing would rip in two. I bought them a couple years ago at the local tack store.

Not speaking for Simikie..but the ones that I used were NOT "No turns"...they were regular velcro Davis Bell boots. My friend uses Davis and loves them, but they left my horse's front feet in a bloody mess within 10 minutes of my ride.

[whbar158]

Also what is hard is that bell boots are not really made to go all the way to the ground and protect the shoe, they are really made to protect the heels. For people trying to protect the show they usually get a very large size to reach the ground. Just as too small rubs so does too big. Like another poster said check the fit around the pastern as much as how far they go down. Because for many of the horses I have seen get rubs its because the owner bought L or XL for a small TB then complain about them rubbing! My QH wears M without rubs and he has sensitive skin and wears a size 1 shoe.

[dalpal]

Also what is hard is that bell boots are not really made to go all the way to the ground and protect the shoe, they are really made to protect the heels. For people trying to protect the show they usually get a very large size to reach the ground. Just as too small rubs so does too big. Like another poster said check the fit around the pastern as much as how far they go down. Because for many of the horses I have seen get rubs its because the owner bought L or XL for a small TB then complain about them rubbing! My QH wears M without rubs and he has sensitive skin and wears a size 1 shoe.

That may indeed have been the problem. The farrier put a large shoe on to expand the foot....and I needed those boots to cover.

That's why I prefer the pull on gum ones.....they can be a touch big and no rubs.

[Seven-up]

Not speaking for Simikie..but the ones that I used were NOT "No turns"...they were regular velcro Davis Bell boots. My friend uses Davis and loves them, but they left my horse's front feet in a bloody mess within 10 minutes of my ride.

This was the kind that tore up my mare's pasterns: http://www.doversaddlery.com/davis-traditional-colors-horse-bell-boots/p/X1-04253/cn/120/

The edges of the boot (not around the top, but the split where the velcro is) are just stiff and sharp enough to cut.

[LaBonnieBon]

I have had the best luck with these:
http://www.doversaddlery.com/centaur-pvc-jelly-glitter-horse-bell-boots/p/X1-04486/cn/120/

They are longer than normal ones, so even in the mud and such, my horses can't pull their shoes. I have tried many... and these are the only ones I have found to work for me!

Good Luck!