Flex Hoof Boot FAQs

Flex Boots are the world’s first hoof boots for barefoot horses and ponies, that mimic how human barefoot shoes function. Flex Boots combine support and cushioning in an unparalleled way; they provide excellent protection and shock absorption, whilst allowing the hoof to function and move as nature intended. As part of holistic hoof- and horse care, Flex Boots are an effective tool to promote greater hoof health on any equine.

Standard Flex Boots are oval in shape. The insole of the standard boots is 10mm longer than wide in shape, so the standard Flex Boots suit hooves that are naturally slightly narrower than wide. Flex Boot Wide are the same length and width, so they are better for horses that have naturally round hoof shape. The wide boot shell is also slightly more upright, to accommodate for the fact that round hooves are often slightly steeper angled than oval hooves.

Both boot styles use the same TPU gaiters, neoprene gaiters, and back straps; only the boot shell shape is different.

Flex Boots are sold individually, as a complete boot. This includes the boot shell with the TPU gaiter attached to it, the neoprene gaiter that attaches to the TPU gaiter, and the back strap that attaches to the boot shell. We’ve designed our boots so that you don’t need to purchase any additional parts or gadgets, and the boots are ready to go.

But you’ll be glad to know that we also sell all boot parts individually, so if one part of the boot breaks, you don’t have to buy a whole new boot. You can simply replace the broken part.

No, you can use Flex Boots on any hoof. However, pay attention to how your boots wear; if you always use the same boot on the same foot, and the horse is imbalanced in any way, you may notice that the boots will wear out faster in one part than elsewhere. In these situations, the priority is – for the benefit of the horse – to find out the source of the imbalance and fix it. But you may also want to swap the boots between different feet to ensure the boots wear out evenly.

Both the standard and wide Flex Boots can be used in front and hind hooves; there are no separate boots for the fronts or the hinds.

However, many horses tend to have rounder front hooves, with the hinds more of an oval shape. Hind hooves also tend to be a slightly lower angle so the Wide boots are generally best on front hooves rather than hind hooves. Check out our sizing page for advice about how to determine which style and size is best for your horse.

Flex Boots are sold individually. This makes it possible to size up each hoof individually and find the best possible size for each of your horse’s hooves. Your horse can have different size front hooves for example, so you can easily buy one of each size.

If the horse has one lower angled hoof and one steeper hoof, you can boot them individually using a regular boot for the low hoof and a wide boot for the steeper hoof.

Flex Boots come as a complete boot, with the neoprene gaiter and back strap included – you get everything you need in one package. The only things you might need to buy separately are the pads, pastern strap extension pieces, or the flat rivets.

Pads are useful if your horse needs additional padding or protection for their soles; pastern strap extension pieces are for horses in size 145 or 150 boots that have thick legs or lots of feather and therefore the normal pastern strap doesn’t close properly; flat rivets can be used to replace the ball rivets on the inside of the boot shell, to prevent the back strap from opening on that side.

Yes, you can! All the different parts of the boot can be replaced individually. So if one part breaks, you don’t need to buy a whole new boot. Instead, you can just buy the broken part and replace it. This saves you money, and it’s more environmentally friendly because it reduces the amount of waste created.

Flex Boots are very lightweight. A complete size 80 boot weighs 180 grams (6.3 ounces), a size 120 boot weighs 320 grams (11.3 ounces), and a size 150 boot weighs 540 grams (19 ounces).

On average, Flex Boots last around 600-2000km (370-1200 miles). It’s impossible to give a precise answer to this question because the longevity of the boots depends on a lot of factors: the hoof condition and trim quality/frequency, how your horse moves, what kind of terrain you ride on, and so on.

It’s worth noting here that Flex Boots benefit from the same things your horse benefits from: frequent enough, anatomically correct hoof trims (we recommend weekly trims for maximum comfort); having the horse’s body in balance so that it moves in a balanced way, and exercising the horse in a way that takes into consideration the horse’s physical abilities and possible limitations. The better you’re taking care of these matters, the happier and healthier your horse is, and the longer your Flex Boots will last too.

Flex Boots are manufactured in Finland, Europe, where the cost of production is considerably higher than in, for example, the Far East. We made the decision to manufacture the boots in our home country, because we want to support our local economy, and also to ensure that everyone involved in the manufacturing process has fair and good working conditions. We strive to keep the boot prices as affordable as possible.

So although hoof boots are not cheap in general, we are proud to say that our boots are still one of the cheapest performance boots on the market. And when you compare the cost of hoof boots to a full set of shoes, the hoof boots turn out quite a lot cheaper in the long run.

Pads are not compulsory for Flex Boots. The insole design of Flex Boots acts as a kind of air cushion; it’s very effective in providing shock absorption. However, some horses need additional protection, for example, if they have very thin soles or you ride on very stony roads a lot, and in these situations, pads can be beneficial.

Pads can also help if the boots are slightly too big, or if there’s a little bit of extra space at the sides or rear of the boot. FlexPads are relatively soft, and they mould into the insole and the horse’s sole to create a seal between the two, helping the boots stay put. When the pad compresses under the hoof, the uncompressed pad material on the sides of the boot helps fill out the extra space.

It’s hard to say exactly how long the pads last because there are many factors that affect this, such as how often the hooves are trimmed, how the horse moves, what surfaces you ride on, and so on.

The pads are made of softer EVA material for a reason: to provide cushioning and protection, without interfering with the horse’s movement. You will see signs of wear in the pads after the first uses, but this doesn’t mean the pads need replacing straight away. FlexPads are supposed to mould to the insole and the horse’s sole, so that they squish down where there’s lots of pressure, and stay plump where the pressure is less. This enables the pads to provide support exactly where the horse needs it.

If you notice that the pads wear out in one specific part much quicker than elsewhere, this indicates an imbalance in the way the horse moves or the hoof landing, the hoof walls are too long due to infrequent trimming, the heels are too high or there are sharp edges on the hoof wall. We view this as not a fault, but a source of valuable information that allows you to investigate the cause of the unbalanced wear pattern.

The yellow FlexPads are softer than the red ones. Yellow pads are ideal for horses that need additional cushioning for their hooves, for example as part of laminitis rehab, very thin soles, or if the boots are slightly too big, adding the yellow pads can make the fit just right.

Red FlexPads are firmer, and they provide more protection, which may be needed if the horse has thin soles or you ride on stony terrain. If the soles are thin it’s best to experiment with both pads and see which ones the horse prefers.

Both yellow and red pads will last longer if they are washed in warm water after use and dried somewhere warm – this helps the EVA foam plump up again.

Ice studs are small metal studs that can be screwed to the soles of Flex Boots, to provide better traction in winter conditions. Ice studs are approximately 5mm long when installed, and all Flex Boots have a special FlexStud Base, where the ice stud placings are clearly marked with starter holes. This means that you are able to install ice studs easily and accurately to Flex Boots.

The Flex ice studs are only effective if they bite into the solid ground under the horse. As the studs are only 5mm long when installed, this means that the wet grass or mud should be less than 5mm deep, and there to be solid ground underneath for the studs to bite into. This is rarely the case, so we do not promise that ice studs would provide any meaningful help with traction on wet grass or mud.

We do not recommend using larger studs in Flex Boots. The studs are meant to increase traction on various surface, not to enable the horse to move on all surfaces at top speeds.

We have detailed instructions about how to find the best size for your horse or pony. Taking accurate measurements and photos of the hooves is paramount for determining the correct size. When choosing a hoof boot size, the hoof shape and conformation matter just as much as the hoof measurements do.

For more advice, please visit our sizing page.

Two measurements are needed for finding the correct size boots; length and width of the hooves. Hooves should always be measured within a day or two of a fresh trim, and the hooves must be cleaned thoroughly so that you can see to measure at the right place.

Note that in order to assess boot sizing and suitability accurately, in addition to the measurements, we also need to see photos of the hooves from the side, front, and sole. See our sizing advice page for details on how to determine the correct boot size for your horse or pony.

Our Choose the right size page has information about how to find the right size boots for your horse or pony.

The User instructions page shows you how the boots can be adjusted, to fit them correctly on your horse’s hooves.

And our Get the fit right page has a lot of information about troubleshooting fitting issues.

If you are in the 100 Mile House area of British Columbia we can provide an in-person fitting, please contact us to arrange an appointment.

Yes, they are. The measurements listed in our size charts are the actual measurements taken from the inside of the boot sole. So as long as you measure your horse’s hooves accurately, you can directly compare them to our boot size chart measurements to determine what the best size boots are for your horse or pony.

However, keep in mind that the hoof shape and conformation affect the boot fit as much as the measurement does. So it’s always advisable to seek professional fitting advice before purchasing boots.

If you know how to rasp the hooves weekly, so that the hooves stay the same size all the time, then it’s ok for the boot to be quite snug right after a trim. However, if the hooves are only trimmed by a every 4-6 weeks, then the boots need to have room for the hoof growth that happens between trims. In this case, you can use pads in the boots for the first week or two after a trim, to improve the boot fit.

Yes, if the boots are already a snug fit, adding pads can make them too small. If you need to use pads, it’s better to purchase one size larger boots. Because Flex Boots only go up by 5 mm from one size to another, the larger boots will usually still be a good fit.

Currently as of July 2025, the smallest size Flex Boots are size 80 and 80W. Size 80 measures 80mm in width and 90mm in length. The size 80W boot measures 80mm in both width and length.

Currently as of July 2025, the largest size Flex Boots are size 150, which measures 155mm in width and 160mm in length.

Flex Boots are very lightweight. A complete size 80 boot weighs 180 grams (6.3 ounces), a size 120 boot weighs 320 grams (11.3 ounces), and a size 150 boot weighs 540 grams (19 ounces).

Flex Boots are the softest hoof boots on the market, and that’s on purpose. They are designed to work well as part of holistic hoof care that includes frequent barefoot trims (we recommend a small weekly trim, ideally done by the owner in between professional appointments), as well as a species-appropriate diet and living environment.

Flex Boots are not made to withstand hoof morphologies that can – and should – be primarily fixed by addressing the above-mentioned aspects of holistic hoof care. If your horse has problems like long toes, serious flares, unnaturally high heels, or the walls are too high for example, Flex Boots are unlikely to work well for your horse. However, the good news is that all these issues can be fixed relatively quickly – that will benefit your horse first and foremost, and as a secondary benefit, Flex Boots will also then work for your horse.

You may have heard the saying “this horse’s hooves are too small for its anatomy”, but that is rarely the case. The pedal bone (not the length of the hoof wall) dictates the size of the hoof. We cannot affect the anatomically correct size of the hoof by growing the hoof wall.

This website has lots of useful information about optimizing your horse's hooves, which is one of the most beneficial things you can ever do for your horse. 

Yes, the smallest size 80/90 and 80W/90W boots fit some miniature ponies.

Size 150 boots, which is our largest boot size, will fit some draft horses, as long as the hooves are not larger than 155 wide and 160mm long.

Flex Boots work very well for horses with feather! The feather can be tucked inside or pulled outside the pastern strap and neoprene gaiter, whatever works best for your horse.

If the horse has a lot of feather, they might need custom boots with one size larger TPU gaiter, to ensure the gaiter sits correctly on the hoof and leg. Alternatively, if your horse is in size 145 or 150 boots (and because there aren’t any bigger TPU gaiters beyond these sizes), you can purchase pastern strap extension pieces to attach to the existing pastern strap.

Standard FlexPony and FlexHorse Boots are designed for hooves that have a naturally slightly oval shape to them. This means that the hoof should not be more than 10mm narrower than long. When the hoof is slightly narrower than this, pads can be used to fill the space on the sides, and the boots may still work when used with the pads. If, however, the hoof is considerably more narrow than long, then it’s unlikely that Flex Boots will work.

It’s worth pointing out that hooves that are more than 10mm narrower than long have, in most cases, pathology that is most often caused by the way the hooves have been trimmed. In other words, the trimming method and/or frequency has allowed the toe to grow too long. So this is first and foremost a trimming issue, rather than a case of finding boots that will suit the unhealthy hooves. Often hooves like this can be significantly improved in just 1-3 trimming cycles, as long as the technique is correct and the trims are done frequently enough (every 1-2 weeks).

The Flex ice studs are only effective if they bite into the solid ground under the horse. As the studs are only 5mm long when installed, this means that the wet grass or mud should be less than 5mm deep, and there to be solid ground underneath for the studs to bite into. This is rarely the case, so we do not promise that ice studs would provide any meaningful help with traction on wet grass or mud.

We do not recommend using larger studs in Flex Boots. The studs are meant to increase traction on various surface, not to enable the horse to move on all surfaces at top speeds.

FlexPony Wide and FlexHorse Wide Boots are the same width and length, so they suit naturally round hooves very well. If the hoof is slightly wider than this, the wide boots should still work on the horse. But hooves that are considerably wider than long would not be suitable for Flex Boots.

It’s worth mentioning that hooves that are much wider than long have, in most cases, pathology that is most often man made. In other words, the trimming method and/or frequency has allowed the sides of the hoof to flare and has caused the hoof to become unnaturally wide. So, this is first and foremost a trimming issue, rather than a case of finding boots that will suit the unhealthy hooves. Often hooves like this can be significantly improved in just 1-3 trimming cycles, as long as the technique is correct and the trims are done frequently enough (every 1-2 weeks).

Hoof boots may twist if the horse has a twist in its movement. This can be a conformation issue, or something that can be fixed with the help of an osteopath or an equine physio.

If the boots twist, the first thing is to check that the boot size, and all the fit settings, are completely correct. You can find advice and instructions on our sizing page and fitting page.

Adding Flex Pads into the boots can also help with twisting because the pads create almost like a seal between the horse’s sole, and the insole of the boot.

Flex Boots were designed for horses and ponies whose hooves are cared for and trimmed in the correct way. This means that the hooves should be trimmed according to the individual horse’s anatomy so that the toes are the correct length, the hoof doesn’t have significant flaring, the heels grow strong at the widest part of the frog, bars are trimmed to the sole level and hoof wall is bevelled to remove pressure from the outer part of the wall. This type of trimming benefits the horse tremendously and our boot is designed to encourage owners to provide this correct type of barefoot trim for their horses. Then Flex Boots will also fit the hooves in the best possible way, and last a long time.

If the hooves are poorly trimmed and have problems like long toes, bad flaring, high heels or overly long hoof walls, the boots will not fit the hoof correctly. If the boots do stay on, they may wear out prematurely or get damaged.

Therefore it’s highly advisable that, before purchasing Flex Boots, you do your best to ensure that your horse’s hooves do not have pathologies that would make the boots unsuitable.

The longer the trim cycle, the bigger the boot needs to be so that it’ll still fit the hooves at the end of the trim cycle. If you are not able to do a maintenance trim between hoof care professional’s visits, using pads in the first week or two after a trim will help the boots fit better when the hooves are smaller than at the end of the trim cycle. We recommend a maximum of a four week trim cycle, any longer than that and the overgrown hoof will start to have a negative effect on the horse’s biomechanics.

We do not recommend heat fitting Flex Boots. There are 29 size options between the standard and wide boot styles, and the wide boots are usually a good fit for more upright hooves, as long as the hooves are trimmed according to the horse’s anatomy.

If you do decide to heat fit the boots, the warranty will be void.

You can view the Flex Hoof Boot warranty policy here.

Although Flex Boots are the softest hoof boots on the market, when fitted and used correctly they are very durable. On average people get about 600-2000 kilometres (c. 370-1200 miles) out of the boots, but the longevity depends on several factors.

To make the boots last for as long as possible, the hooves must be kept in the anatomically correct shape, through a small weekly maintenance trim that can be done by the owner. An unbalanced hoof will wear out the boot unevenly, and in the long run will also cause the horse issues – so it’s worth investing in the correct hoof care. Upper body issues can also affect the hoof landing and therefore the boot longevity.

Just like with humans, the coarser the surface and faster the speeds, the quicker the boots need to be replaced. A marathon runner will wear out their trainers faster than a person who jogs occasionally. And if the marathon runner has a twist in their movement, or they drag their toes on every step, their trainers wear out unevenly. So taking care of the horse holistically is important if you want your Flex Boots to last as long as possible.

The boots were designed with these things in mind on purpose; we designed them like this, because correct hoof care and adequate bodywork are what’s best for the horse. Flex Boots are designed to complement these things, so Flex Boots benefit from the same things that your horse does!

The boot shells have holes in the toe quarters that allow for air to circulate. The back of the boot is also open, and the patented insole design with its ridges ensure that the boots are as breathable as possible.

If you’re using the boots for turnout, ensure that the neoprene gaiter is fitted correctly: move the elastic high enough so that you can see at least half of the TPU gaiter’s metal rivets below it. This way the neoprene gaiter doesn’t make the heel bulbs sweat.

Yes, they have excellent traction! Because of the softer boot material and the shape and structure of the outer sole, Flex Boots provide good traction on most surfaces, including gravel roads and tarmac. However, traction may be reduced on very muddy ground or on wet grass, so always use common sense and if in doubt, it’s better to start off slow and see how your horse copes on new surfaces.

Flex Boots are suitable for 24/7 wear, provided that they are the right size and fitted correctly. They are designed to hug the hoof without rubbing any part of the hoof or leg. When using the boots around the clock, it’s important to take the boots off at least once a day and check the hooves, just in case. If the neoprene gaiters are wet or muddy, they should be changed to clean ones daily.

When used around the clock, it’s imperative that the boots are adjusted to fit the hooves as well as possible. You can find instructions for this on the User instructions-page.

Although our boots can be used 24/7, they might still come off in certain situations. If your horse over-reaches, brushes its legs together or likes to have a buck and a run-around in their field, the boots may come off. But because the boots are so soft, they are highly unlikely to cause injury to the horse even if they do come off. If you’re worried about the boots coming off, adding bell boots on top of Flex Boots will help. Just make sure the bell boots are big enough so that they cover the back of the hoof boot properly.

If you’re using Flex Boots with ice studs during turnout, our recommendation is to always use bell boots on top of the boots, to prevent the ice studs causing any damage. 

If your horse is at all hesitant to move on a specific surface such as gravel roads (especially when asked to work), then you should definitely consider using hoof boots on them. Using hoof boots is not a “failed attempt to go barefoot”. It just means that you’re a responsible horse owner who is providing their horse the support they need.

Some horses are barefoot and can handle all kinds of terrain, all year round. But this is fairly rare, and most barefoot horses would benefit from hoof protection, especially when they are asked to do work.

Think of it like this: you yourself might be capable of walking on tarmac barefoot, but wouldn’t you be much more comfortable doing so in well-cushioned trainers? It’s the same for horses; just because they can do something, doesn’t mean that they should. Our view is that every horse should be provided this kind of support, every time they are asked to carry a rider, pull a carriage or do any other activity that is not “natural” to them. Boots will also protect the hoof from excessive wear.

In principle, yes, at least outside competitions. But how well the boots function, depends on a few factors such as how your horse moves, and whether you’re asking the horse to perform at its extremes, for example doing fast gallops or jumping very high jumps. When Flex Boots are the right size, and fit the hooves well, they stay on in these activities too.

Yes you can! We have lots of customers who jump in Flex Boots successfully. Because Flex Boots are so soft, they allow your horse to feel the ground better than metal shoes or rigid hoof boots do. This makes your horse more sure-footed, which is important when you’re going over jumps.

Flex Boots are allowed in some competitions. In general, show jumping and endurance competitions tend to allow the use of hoof boots all around the world. In other disciplines, such as dressage or carriage driving, you would need to check what your local rules are about the use of hoof boots in competitions.

When the horse is asked to perform at the limits of its capacities, the forces involved increase, and therefore the chance of hoof boots staying on naturally reduces. The more extreme  you want your horse to perform, the more important it is that the hoof boots fit your horse’s hooves well and are adjusted correctly. That being said, we regularly see videos of our customers doing fast gallops in Flex Boots, and the boots don’t budge at all!

Yes they can! Although keep in mind that if the horse over-reaches, brushes its legs together or likes to have a wild run-around in their field, the boots (and any hoof protection, even nailed on shoes) can come off.  So we do not guarantee that Flex Boots stay on, no matter what. But what’s nice about them is that they are soft, and there are no parts that could damage your horse, even if the boots come off partially or completely.

Absolutely! Flex Boots are made with TPU material which doesn’t absorb water. The back of the boot is open, and there are drainage holes on both sides of the boot, so any water will drain out easily and the boots will never get soggy or heavy, even if used in water or wet conditions.

Yes, since Flex Boots are designed in Finland, they are made to function very well in winter conditions too. The boots can be used with ice studs, to have great traction on icy surfaces. The ice studs are easy to install, thanks to the pre-drilled starter holes in the soles of the boots. Smaller pony boots take 6-8 studs each, and larger boots take 10-12 studs. Ice studs are installed all around the boot, including the bevelled toe area, so the horse will have secure footing throughout the movement. We sell the ice stud kits in our online store.

In general, Flex Boots provide good traction on all surfaces. Because the boot material is softer, it gives a better grip on most surfaces than hoof boots made with hard plastic. But of course we cannot say that Flex Boots provide perfect traction on all surfaces. If the grass is wet, it’s advisable to go slower, listen to your horse and give them time to find their feet. And if you ride on a muddy area, with hard ground underneath, the mud layer will inevitably act as a kind of lubricant, so it’s unrealistic to expect the horse to have good traction on such surface, regardless of their hoof protection.

No they do not. When you have the right size Flex Boots, and they are fitted correctly, they do not require any breaking-in. You can literally put them on, and you’re good to go! But it is a good idea to desensitise your horse to the boots. In case a boot does come off, you don’t want your horse to panic. So make sure your horse is comfortable with things flapping around their feet.

This is nearly impossible, as long as the boots are used and fitted correctly. The neoprene gaiter is an essential part of the boots, and the boots should never be used without the gaiters. The gaiter’s job is to protect the leg from being rubbed by the pastern strap.

The boot material is very soft and flexible, and the boots are carefully designed to support natural hoof function and movement, so we have never had a situation where they would have rubbed the horse’s legs.

But even the softest product can rub or chafe if it’s used incorrectly. So always follow the instructions you can find on our User instructions-page and YouTube channel.

In general, the answer is yes. Flex Boots are designed to function well on all terrain and in all seasons. But because they are softer, for the best user experience the horse’s hooves must be trimmed correctly and often enough, and they need to move in a balanced way. This is best for the horse, and also for the longevity of the boots.

In certain terrain, such as on wet grass or on mud, the traction is not as good as on hard, dry ground. This goes with any hoof protection that the horse is wearing, so it’s always advisable to allow the horse to move at a pace that they find comfortable, and not push them to go faster than is safe.

Yes, mules and donkeys can use Flex Boots too! Because Flex Boots can be adjusted in so many different ways, they can be fitted on a huge variety of hooves. Custom boots provide even more flexibility when it comes to fitting hoof boots for equines.

Flex Boots are incredibly effective in rehab cases. The soft materials make the boots comfortable for the horse to wear and combined with the support they provide, most horses find instant relief when wearing Flex Boots, and the improvement is obvious.

Flex Boots can be worn 24/7 if required; when fitted correctly, they do not rub at all, and promote correct hoof function.

Yes, they are amazing for laminitics! When the hoof is compromised with thin soles and other morphologies that come with laminitis, the horse needs effective cushioning for their hooves. Flex Boots with pads are the ideal solution! They support and cushion the hoof, whilst allowing the hoof to function as nature intended. The soft materials and the patented sole structure stimulate the hoof and digital cushion, which increases blood flow in the hoof, and that in turn promotes healing.

If the hooves have significant morphology, such as substantial laminar wedge, the foot fit might not be perfect. But that is OK, because laminitic horses rarely move fast, so the boots tend to stay on even if the fit is somewhat compromised. With severely compromised hooves, the horse or pony may benefit from having two FlexPads in each boot. In such cases, the softer yellow FlexPads are the best option.

Flex Boots are great for horses that are transitioning from shoes to barefoot life. Depending on the hoof condition and shape straight after shoe removal, the boots might not fit perfectly straight away. If the horse is sore, using Flex Boots with pads offers a perfect balance of support and cushioning for newly barefoot hooves. Flex Boots can be used 24/7 if the horse requires it, and the boots promote greater hoof health whilst offering protection.

Some people use Flex Boots on the front feet only, and this is OK. Horses naturally place more weight on their front legs than the hinds. As a result, the fronts experience more impact and stress, and there’s greater possibility of injury during movement, especially when moving at faster speeds or jumping.

Whilst the hind feet also experience stress, the need for hoof protection isn’t as great as for the fronts, especially if you’re only doing light work or riding on smooth surfaces. Back feet need boots when riding on gravel roads or any terrain where the horse may feel uncomfortable.

If your horse loses a metal shoe and needs temporary hoof protection, Flex Boots might work. However, it’s important to assess the hoof and identify anything that could render Flex Boots unsuitable in this situation. Such things include hoof walls that are long and sharp, or overly long toes, as those can affect the durability of the boots.

Flex Boots are not suitable for use on top of metal shoes. Because the boots are made of softer, flexible material, the localised pressure of a metal shoe will affect the durability of the boots.

Yes, the neoprene gaiters are an essential part of the boots, and the boots should never be used without them. The neoprene gaiter is designed to prevent the pastern strap and TPU gaiter from rubbing the leg or the heels.

The boots can be used in hot climates without the fear of hooves overheating. The holes on the boot shell, along with the insole design that is textured, provide air circulation inside the boots. Every horse is different though, and we recommend that the hooves are checked regularly if the boots are used in hot climates.

Flex Boots are super easy to clean! Simply rinse them under running water, or wash them in a bucket of water using a brush to get rid of any dirt or debris. Do not use any cleaning products to clean the boots, as they can have a reaction with the boot material and damage it.

It’s not advisable to use Flex Boots in sea water too often, and always rinse the boots thoroughly with tap water after they’ve been exposed to sea water.

Use of cleaning products is not advisable, because the cleaning product can have a reaction with the boot material and damage it. Water is sufficient to clean the boots, along with a brush if there’s stubborn dirt or debris stuck on them.

Yes you can! The edges might fray a bit during the wash, but that is simply cosmetic and will not affect the use at all. Just remember to wash them in a cold wash (30 degrees is normally good) and air dry them. Do not put the neoprene gaiters in a tumble dryer!

The FlexPads are designed to mould to the sole and inside of the boot, so that they provide additional support and cushioning where it’s required. We advise you to rinse the pads in warm water after every use, and use a brush to remove any dirt or debris from the pads. Leave them to air dry, and they are good to go again.

Soaking the pads in near-boiling water for a couple of minutes will help them plump up, but be aware that using water that’s too hot, or leaving them to soak for too long will shrink the pads.

Flex Boots need to be stored in an open space with good ventilation, for example hung up on the wall of your tack room. Never store the boots in a bag, in a car,  in a closed chest of drawers or in a closed container of any kind.

TPU material in general benefits from regular use and being stored in an airy place.

Flex Boots allow for a lot of adjustments as is: there are two boot styles (standard and wide boots), and both can be adjusted with the pastern strap and back strap to get a good fit. Custom boots are also available, for horses that have smaller or larger heels than normal. So the boots can be adjusted to fit a large variety of hooves as is. As long as the hooves are trimmed correctly, these normal adjustment options are enough to get a good fit.

However, the boots can be modified even further if the customer so wishes. But be aware that any modification will void the warranty on the products.