Another hoof boot question - Boas or Easyboots?

[ohioprospect]

I'm looking for some boots for my draft cross. It looks like my choices are Easyboots or Boas since her feet are too big for the largest Old Macs or Marquis. Her front feet are very round - 6.5 inches wide, 6.5 inches long. Her hind feet are slightly narrower.
I've never used any kind of horse boots before so am looking for advice from those who have. Boots will be used in sand/dirt ring and on trails with hills, mud, and water.
From the sizing charts, I see that the boas seem to be sized for rounder feet - is that true?
Thanks!

[colleent]

i have not used either, but i have read more positive things about the Boas than the Easy boots. i have not heard much good about the easyboots. most people say they are NOT easy at all. but you might want to wait for someone who has actually had experience with them.

[weaver]

I too am looking into boots. I've had easy boots and would not rather go down that road again. I am leaning towards old macs or the marquis (which the price is up there though).

[ohioprospect]

I think that, due to the size of my mare's feet, my only options are the new easyboots or the Boas.
Hadn't thought about having to keep checking on them - the Epics definitely sound better. I'm concerned that they will be too long for her perfectly round feet.

[chicamuxen]

I have to say that I was disappointed that the new style of easy boot has a changed shaped. The old style was very round, which was good for my boy Mouse, but not so good for lot'sd of horses I suppose. So Easy Care has changed their new boots to be more oval or longer than they are wide. Now I have to go up a size in order to get the new boots on Mouse's feet and they are too long and clunky. Only the new boots have the gaiter. I've been told that you can replace the heel straps with a shorter strap which moves a reound foot to the front of the boot and helps with the fit.

If you aren't doing endurance and are a pleasure type trail rider than the Boas are an option for you if the fit is better for your horse's feet.

chicamuxen

[ohioprospect]

I'm not doing endurance. I am a low-level event/dressage rider and I do quite a bit of trail riding. For us, 10 miles is a long ride.

I've heard that the easyboots are really hard to apply. Is that true?

[LuvMyperch]

I have a pair of EZ boots and have no trouble getting them on but have a heck of a time getting them OFF. They have metal grippers that dig into the outside of the hoof to help hold them on. I have to take a screwdriver and wedge it into the boot between the grip and the hoof before Im able to get it off. That being said, you'd think they'd never come off on a ride. NOT! Ive had them come off several times and lost a boot completely once. Never found it either :-(

[Sabina]

Ah, ah, ah...my dear, hast thou never been given permission to mash down the metal prongs with a pair of pliers or a hammer so they don't prong so much? I hereby do giveth thee permission.
One does not use the Boot as it comes from the box. One mutilates it into functioning. The virgin boot worketh on no living beast.

[RTM Anglo's]

Boas are not good for long distance.

They are too expensive and don't withstand the time on the trail. If you look at the requirements, it states under 25 miles.

We tried them and the flap will come open, and that is way too much hassle.

I have used the easyboot for several years...I like the red ones (although they are being discontinued) as you can see them very easily while riding, and find if they come off.

The trick is to always have a nicely trimmed hoof. That means you need to trim and shape weekly. It is no big deal to do that if you stay on it. Having a poor shaped hoof will cause a problem. With well-shaped hooves I keep them all the time...no problems. The boot must be without space.

Epics are nice, but can rub if not the correct size or your horse doesn't travel perfectly.

Some horses have low heels…these types will always have issues with any boot.
http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[GE]

Just to throw another boot into the mix - Cavallo is coming out with the Simple Boot in March 2006
http://www.cavallo-inc.com/horseboots.html#SimpleToMeasure

[matryoshka]

Do the gaitors on the epics help keep the boot on?

I've tried them on my OTTB mare, and she pulls them off when she over-reaches. I hadn't mashed down the teeth, but I did put duct tape over them. I have trouble with the fit (old style) because the hooves are wider at the bottom than the top, and no matter how hard I try, I can't quite them snug enough. I'm hoping that with the rubber caps on the teeth with the new style, the fit will be better.

I was going to go with Boas, until I found out they could rub. I still may go for Boas on my mare and Easyboot Epics on my gelding. He's the one I want to compete with. The mare just does pleasure riding, and she needs them on all four.

BTW, my horses have "low heels" (i.e. tend to underrun) and the Easyboots don't rub. If they come off a lot, I may just spray paint them with bright orange paint for visibility.

It's easy enough to keep the feet well trimmed with a rasp. Get your farrier to show you how to hold the hoof and how to rasp without causing high and low spots. Caution: trimming your own horses can be addictive!

[ohioprospect]

Thanks for the input - keep it coming.
Unfortunately, my horses feet are too big for the largest Cavallo size.

I am concerned about the durability of the boas, even for my shorter distance rides. My mare weighs a lot more than your typical endurance horse. I would think that would tend to wear the boots out faster.

[matryoshka]

Does your horse also stumble? I've a friend whose draft horse stumbles (more like stubs his toes) frequently. If this is the case, you'd probably be better off with a boot that has a shorter breakover. The Easyboots seem to keep the breakover back a bit, but the Old Macs appear to lengthen the toe.

My OTTB takes a size 3 in Easy boots. Do they make a draft horse size? It sure would be nice if they do. Let us know what brands you find that fit, because my friend may eventually want to boot her horse.

[ohioprospect]

My mare does not stumble.
All of the easyboot sizing has changed. According to http://www.easycareinc.com/easyboot-using-fitting.aspx
web site, they will fit up to a 7 9/16" wide foot now, which is pretty big. My mare would take a size 5.

[matryoshka]

My OTTB's hoof is 5.5" inches wide. It surprised me, because his hooves were so tiny when he came off the track. He's got nice, thick walls now and the toes no longer run forward, which accounts for the size difference.

I rode my friend's draft horse yesterday, and he didn't stumble with me, either (tee hee, was schooling him through a problem the owner was having, so he was paying attention http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/winkgrin.gif). Another farrier told the owner that draft horses tend to stumble, which is why I asked the question. I trim a couple, and I owned one years ago, so I don't see enough to know if it is truly a common problem or not.

I'm glad they are offering boots for the big guys, too.

[swampgum]

I suggest you check out the Old Macs. They are by far the most user friendly boot. I have used them for three years and never lost a boot. The new ones are even better as they have made many improvements

[weaver]

I think I am leaning, now, back towards the easy boot epics. But questions is; I do my own trimming so I can keep her feet in ok condition, they are really good feet, solid and healthy. Any suggestions on how often to use the Easy Boots? My concern is over protecting her soles and making her soft to going barefoot.

[ohioprospect]

Originally posted by swampgum:
I suggest you check out the Old Macs. They are by far the most user friendly boot. I have used them for three years and never lost a boot. The new ones are even better as they have made many improvements
I would love to be able to try the Old Macs but they don't come large enough. My mare's foot is 6 1/2 inches in width.

[swampgum]

I have heard the company is making two larger sizes with the new boots. You may check out this size range and you may have one big enough

[ohioprospect]

At http://www.oldmacs.com/cms/index.cfm/path/84305/85419/, I found that the largest size the for the G2's is size 10, which fits up to 6 1/8" wide hoof.

Unfortunately, my mare has 6 1/2" wide front hooves.

[MBRA518]

Originally posted by GE:
Just to throw another boot into the mix - Cavallo is coming out with the Simple Boot in March 2006
http://www.cavallo-inc.com/horseboots.html#SimpleToMeasure

Humm those look nice - and very similar to the Old macs... I'm in a market for a pair for my mare (my gelding has been using OM's for 2 years) But these are 1/2 the price.... so has anyone seen/touched them, used them??? are they 1/2 the boot too?

[mbj]

bump
has anyone used either the marquis or the Cavalla boot?

[donnie]

The Marquis weighs a ton and the Cavalla looks like it would come off easy when it gets wet

[CanterQueen]

Anyone out there ordered/tried the Simple Boot yet?

[matryoshka]

Weaver, since nobody else answered your question, I'll give it a try. :D I also do trimming, and just got some Easy boots for my OTTB (size 3's). I had tried them on my other OTTB, and she loved them, but she'd pull them off so I really needed gaitors for them. It might have worked better if I'd put them on her hind feet, too. I gave them (size 2's) to a client who also has a flat-footed horse--they fit her more snug than my mare and the owner loves them.

I think it would be best to use boots whenever you are doing more miles than your horse's feet are accustomed to, or are doing terrain that your horse isn't used to. If you are riding a lot of miles, then boots will help keep the feet from wearing too far. I know that some barefoot fans will say this doesn't happen, but I've had it happen a lot over the years with heavy trail riding or road work. Some horses seem to have soft feet, or they don't wear in a balanced fashion and so need protection.

If your horse isn't used to rocky terrain (this is when I'll use my boots), that is a good time to use them, too.

I don't think it is possible to soften their feet by using boots, unless you also soak their feet in water. In fact, since your horse will move out a little better if it is not worried about hurting its heels, you may actually stimulate good growth. Pete Ramey recommends using boots when first transitioning to barefoot and when riding on terrain for which your horse's feet aren't accustomed.

Sorry for repeating myself. I'm too tired to make this post pretty. :sleepy:

[matryoshka]

Marquis boots may be heavy, but they are easy to apply and look like they wouldn't get yanked off too easily. But what happens if they catch that air pocket in the back? Hmmm.

Marquis are pricey, too. Apparently, though, you can replace broken or worn out parts, so they may be cheaper in the long run. I like the treads on them and the breakover is placed pretty well. I haven't used them myself, but I've seen them on a clien't horse.

[mbj]

Do you think the heaviness of the Marquis is comparable to that of a steel shoe?

[matryoshka]

That's a good question. When I picked up the Marquis, I didn't think "Gee, this is a heavy boot." I thought it was a well designed boot that had an awesome tread and looked like it would have good shock absorption, especially for road work. And I really liked where they set the breakover. Some of those boots look like they move the breakover forward, which I think would contribute to limb fatique over long distances.

If the Marquis weren't so pricey, I'd probably choose them. The design is solid. I wish I had held the Marquis and the Easy boot together to compare the weights, but I didn't think of it. I don't do long distance endurance, so weight wouldn't be a huge issue for my horses. I'm mostly interested in hoof protection, non-slip design, and proper breakover that doesn't add strain to the limbs.

Maybe Donnie will repost and answer your question. I'd be interested to find out the answer, too.

[MBRA518]

The Marquis weighs a ton and the Cavalla looks like it would come off easy when it gets wet

What about the cavalla makes it look like it would fall off when wet? I've only seen the pictures and it looks much like the Old Mac - does it use a different material than OM's? I don't have any trouble with OM's in water, mud or whatever I think to throw at it (or it into I suppose)

[CookiePony]

My Boa boots rubbed until my farrier gave me the gaiters. She's started including them when she sells the Boas because they have been rubbing many of her clients.

The Boas are pretty easy to put on. However, I found that on muddy hills, their traction was pretty poor.

The Easyboot Bares are coming out soon-- that's another option!

[donnie]

The Marquis is heavier than a metal shoe. The Marquis is well made but not very practical because you have carry a pump to pump up a bladder to keep it on and even then it does not always stay on.

[donnie]

A few riders at the barn down the road have got the new Old Macs G2. This is an awesome looking boot and they are very happy with them. I am getting a pair as soon as my old ones wear out.

[mbj]

Do the Marquis need to be pumped up periodically while you ride?If they were a problem, did the company fix, replace or refund?
Anyone used the new Cavalla Boot?
I was all set to get the Marquis, because while the old macs I had didn't rub or come off, they were a bit clunky to try jumping in, and were sometimes slippy on the grassy hills.I shared mine a few too many times for horses who lost shoes, so now need 2 right foot macs.Don't think they come except as pairs, so I thought I'd try either the newer Macs, the Cavallas or the Marquis. Sounds like more expensive isn't necessarily better.

[LMH]

Ah, ah, ah...my dear, hast thou never been given permission to mash down the metal prongs with a pair of pliers or a hammer so they don't prong so much? I hereby do giveth thee permission.
One does not use the Boot as it comes from the box. One mutilates it into functioning. The virgin boot worketh on no living beast.


SO true-BUT I am mashing incompetent-even once mashed there is still an uncovered prong that looks quite evil...suggestions?

I know of someone that competely wrecked the epic-took out the whole back strap AND the prongs AND the wires up front and she swears they still stay put.

Any thoughts on that one?

[mbj]

Interesting approach to the Epic. Would like to hear mor!

So has anyone here actually test-ridden either the Marquis or the Cavalla boot?

[Sabina]

Unfortunately we are still in this blasted rain every day or other day cycle, so it's so muddy, rainy, windy, and nasty here I haven't been able to experiment with boots this spring...yet. The only easy boots I've taken the back strap out of were the old style ones, for my low-heeled horse years ago before the old macs came out. They did stay on, but I wasn't riding him fast. You can take that strap out and cut it way down, too, with heavy duty scissors, and put it back in, with a different adjustment, you can also melt the strap edges or other parts of the easyboot with a soldering iron so they are beveled softer or make the screw holes easier to use. To put the straps back in you may need a stumpy handled screwdriver with a short, 2" long handle, and a pair of needle nosed pliers, to handle the screws.

I have not had a chance to play with the new easyboots with that big gaitor ankle strap yet. I was wondering the same thing, if you could take the inner back strap completely out. I did measure the boots in the box in the stores, and they are running a little small when I measured the interiors....BUYER BEWARE.

I'm thrilled that the Old Macs seem to be making a slightly bigger boot with the G2's, as I have always had to keep my older guy in perfect trim before putting the largest old style ones on, as he barely fit into those 8's. As soon as I can see a pair to compare to my old ones, I think I will go up a size.

[Rudy]

I would love to be able to use a pair of easy boots but they do not make the size I need....none of the brands do. I don't think they'd stand up to the beating they'd recieve either. Oh well I guess...

[matryoshka]

One of these manufacturers needs to realize that draft horses are ridden too, and start catering to them!!

[Rudy]

One of these manufacturers needs to realize that draft horses are ridden too, and start catering to them!!

AMEN!

I'd need them completely round...8.5in X 8.5in. LoL

[mbj]

I got a pair of lightly used Maquis in the size recommended by the distributer, who I sent hoof tracings to. My horse really likes them, but they do come off, and after hunting for one for a couple hours before I found it in heavy leaf litter,I am loathe to hack out in them. Seems like the inside clip for the front closures is shallow and if it is hit by debris or interfering, it pops open. The boot does fit well,doesn't rub, farrier thought the wires in front are safely below the coronet, boot does not collect mud or debris inside, easy to clean,horse moves well and jumps well in them. The boot is easy to put on and off, seems fine in mud, doesn't twist, just sometimes pops open.I'd buy new ones if I could figure out how to keep them on! Hopefully I'll figure out what I am doing wrong, but I'm not buying any more til I can get them to stay on. Guess I'll try the new old macs next.

[duecavalle]

Thanks for the input - keep it coming.
Unfortunately, my horses feet are too big for the largest Cavallo size.

I am concerned about the durability of the boas, even for my shorter distance rides. My mare weighs a lot more than your typical endurance horse. I would think that would tend to wear the boots out faster.

I may be able to help you. I used the Boas last season on my draft-cross mare. Like you, 10 miles would be a long ride for her. They were not an ideal fit, but they were the only make large enough to fit over her hooves. I did not have a problem with wear, I found the boots held up fine under her weight and they never came off while we were riding. To give you an idea of her size, here is a picture of her moving out in her boots (and gaiters). http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y76/DueCavalle/Kate/?action=view&current=KateNBoots.jpg


To the others, I purchased a pair of the G2s for my MFT mare. I turned her out in them for a day to break them in and we rode in them for the first time last weekend. She did great. My only problem is with the pastern wraps. Does anyone else have a hard time using them? I found that they did not come down far enough on her heels to keep the boot from rubbing. When I place her boot over the wrap, the boot pushes the wrap up on her pastern. I'm confident that the boot will stretch with more use, but I'd rather not rub her heels raw in the mean time. Does anyone have any tips to using the Old Mac pastern wraps? Thanks. :)

[donnie]

I have used the Old Macs for over two years and only ever had rubbing on one horse and that was because I rode for too long first up. Just don't ride more than four or five miles for the first few rides and you will not get any rubbing so you will not need pastern wraps. I never use them now. Most people I ride with don't use pastern wraps

[duecavalle]

I have used the Old Macs for over two years and only ever had rubbing on one horse and that was because I rode for too long first up. Just don't ride more than four or five miles for the first few rides and you will not get any rubbing so you will not need pastern wraps. I never use them now. Most people I ride with don't use pastern wraps

thanks donnie. when you got the rubbing, where on the hoof was it?

[donnie]

Rubbing was behind the pastern where the pastern lays down on the boot. It means the skin is very sensitive ,a bit like our hands if they have not done too much hard work. Just build up gradually the amount of riding you do and the skin will harden up without blistering and you will not need pastern wraps even though they come with the new G2's. Anybody who says the strap chafes has ignored the instructions on not to do the strap up too tight. Hope this helps

[Eachside]

Boas. Easyboots were the best 20 years ago but they haven't changed the technology since.