Hoof Boots

It may be necessary to use hoof boots for a while when you first start transitioning your horse to go barefoot. Often a newly de-shod hoof is not able to cope with the varying surfaces you may encounter when riding or turned out and so boots are used to make the horse more comfortable until the hoof has built up condition. Some horses are lucky and don't need them but for most horses it is something that you do need to invest in - although the majority of horses only need them on their front hooves.

They can also be used to make a horse more comfortable when they are suffering from abscesses, laminitis/founder or navicular.

Another scenario where boots are useful is if you keep your horse on a soft terrain but want to ride on hard, abrasive terrain. It is not fair to expect the hoof to cope with the harder terrain when it hasn't been conditioned to it, but by using hoof boots you can overcome this issue and keep your horse comfortable.

Some have accessories which help prevent rubbing. Also there are pads available that can be used on sensitive horses or to help stimulate weakened areas of the hoof, such as the frog. By cutting the pad into the shape of the frog and either taping over the frog or attaching it to the boot, extra stimulus is provided to help develop the frog and digital cushion. Pete Ramey has written a great article on the use of boots and pads click here to read it.

This page gives you the chance to review and compare the wide range of boots that are now avaiable.

In general, they fall in to three groups: boots designed for soaking the hoof; ones for rehabilitation and limited use; and ones designed for riding. The riding group is further split into two with the option of glue on boots which are glued directly onto the hoof.

My experience has been with the Boa's, Old Macs and Easyboot Epics and out of those three my preference for riding in is for the Easyboot Epic's as the rigid structure of the boot does not come above the hairline so there is less interference with joint articulation and less chance of rubbing. They also take pads well. The Old Macs and Boa's however are more forgiving when selecting a size and will accommodate wrappings such as a poultice which is not possible with the Epic's due to their fit. Each of boots listed here have unique benefits so the final decision should be based on what your horse's needs are at the time of purchase as you may find certain boots will be more suitable than others.

The photo on the left shows a hoof in a well-fitting Easyboot Bare. The boot has been cut to show how the hoof fits snugly into the boot and also illustrates how breakover is actually improved by this hoof boot - many people wrongly assume that breakover is extended when using boots.

Each boot manufacturer has slightly different size ratios so you may find some boot shapes more suitable than others for your horse's individual hoof shape. This is an important fact to remember when deciding which boot to purchase as the better the fit, the less problems you will encounter.

Scroll down and click on the links to get a detailed description about each type of boot and links to the manufacturer's website.

Measuring

It is important to match the width and length of the hoof to the boot size. The front hooves of most horses tend to be more round in shape and wider than the hind hooves. The best fit may require a smaller size for the hinds.

How to get the correct size boot for your horse:

1. Measure the width of the hoof across the bottom at the widest point.

2. Measure the length of the hoof from the toe to the buttress line of the heel. The buttress line is the farthest weight bearing point of the heel.

3. Compare your measurement with the proper size chart for the boot. If you are taking your measurements in inches, use the imperial size chart. If you are taking your measurements in millimeters, use the metric size chart.

4. Ideally, the width and length measurement will fit into the same boot size. If the width and length measurements indicate different boot sizes, select the larger boot size.

Soaking Boots

Prices shown are the manufacturer's recommended retail price (RRP) in US dollars

• Davis Horse Boot
  - $22 each
  Width: 3 3/4" - 9 1/2"

• EasySoaker
  - $26 each
  Width: 3 3/4" - 7 1/4"

• Smart™ Soaking Boot
  - $40 each
  One size: fits upto 9 1/2"

Therapy Boots - for hooves during rehab

• Easyboot Rx
  - $65-75 each
  Width: 3 3/16" - 7 9/16"

• Castle Plastics Hoof Boot
  - $37 each
  Width: 4 1/2" - 5 5/8"

• Soft-Ride Comfort Boot
  - $175-200 per pair
  Width: 2 3/4" - 6 3/4"

• HOOFix Emergency Boot
  - $38 each
  Width: 4 1/2" - 5 1/4"

• Saber Sneaker Rehab Boot
  - $100 each
  Width: 2" - 6 1/4"

• Equine Slipper
  - $40 each
  Width: 4 3/4" - 7 1/2"

Riding Boots

• Boa Horse Boot
  - $164 per pair
  Width: 3 1/2" - 7 1/2"

• Old Mac's
  - $164-180 per pair
  Width: 4 1/8" - 5 13/16"

• Hoofwing Hoof Boot
  - $169-270 per pair
  Width: 3" - 9"

• Swiss Horse Boot
  - $63.90 each
  Width: 3 3/8" - 6"

• Easyboot Bare
  - $75-90 each
  Width: 3 3/16" - 7 9/16"

• Easyboot Epic
  - $75-90 each
  Width: 3 3/16" - 7 9/16"

• Easyboot Grip
  - $75 each
  Width: 4 3/8" - 5 1/2"

• Easyboot Glove
  - $56 each
  Width: 96mm - 131mm

• Marquis Hoof Boot
  - $299 per pair
  Width: 3 12/16" - 6 4/16"

• Renegade Hoof Boot
  - $84.50 each
  Width: 4 3/16" - 5 1/4"

• Simple Boot
  - $119.95 per pair
  Length: 4" - 6 1/8"

• Horse-Mocs
  - $65-85 each
  Custom fit to every size

Glue On Boots

• Marquis Glue On
  - $69.99 each
  Width: 3 12/16 - 6 4/16"

• Renegade Glue On
  - $24.95 each
  Width: 4 3/16" - 5"

• Easyboot Glue On
  - $24 each ($92 for 4)
  Width: 96mm - 131mm