08/14/08

Boots are a great insurance policy to get you back in the saddle doing what you like to do with your horse without compromising his feet while you are still working on building structure. I require the purchase of boots when I pull shoes. There are plenty of boots out on the market to suit your needs and to fit your horse. At risk of sounding like a sales person, I prefer either the Easyboot Epics,  Easyboot Grips, Old Mac's G2, Easyboot Bare, or Boa boots. Old Mac's G2 and Boa boots are probably the easiest to use, but do come above the hairline which can be a risk to rubbing. Easyboot Bare, Grip and Epics are a little more difficult to put on until you get used to them, but do not come above the hairline and are geared to be a performance boot. If you are interested in learning more about the different boots click on the photo of the boot any you will be taken directly to that boot location on the EasyCare website.

In the beginning your horse may need to be turned out in the boots until he builds up enough structure. Epics or Bare are best for this as nothing but the soft gaiter touches the horses skin. For Boa or Old Mac's G2 boots use gaiters or wrap the pastern with vet wrap to prevent rubbing.

Be sure the boot fits properly. If it can twist on the foot it will rub.

Sprinkle Gold Bond Medicated Powder on the whole foot before you boot it. This also drastically reduces the “funk” in the boots.

Pull the boots off every day to clean, sanitize, dry out and inspect. If you do see a rub starting, put duct tape over the rub before you apply the vet-wrap sock. This will ensure any further movement will be on the slick tape, not on the horse.

Stop using the boots for turnout as soon as the horse is moving comfortably in its paddock without them, but continue using the boots for riding and in-hand exercise until the horse is comfortable doing so or for foundered horses, until there are no separated laminae left at all, and the callused sole has reached optimum thickness.

I do carry a supply of Easyboot Epics with me, all horses that I pull shoes on will be required to wear boots for exercise and training until the hoof regains enough structure to go without. Some horses this may take a few months while others may always prefer to wear their boots on rough terrain. This depends on the horse, how much and what type of exercise he gets.

I also like to fit all boots with Comfort pads which are EVA foam pads which not only add cushioning but aid in the pressure and relief which is so important in stimulating proper growth in the hoof. These pads (shown Right) are part of the Comfort Pad system. There are 3 different densities of each the Sole Pad, Frog Support Pad, and the Frog Pressure Pads. This system allows the horse to be custom fit with pads to suit his needs. For instance the Frog Pressure Pads are Fabulous for building digital cushion and frog structure in a horse that is weak in those areas. I have been very impressed in how quickly regular use of the pads can build internal structure.

I am a member in Team Easyboot, which is a great honor. I will be doing product testing of new boots & accessories being developed by EasyCare, Inc. To check up on what is new and what is going on in the world of hoof boots check out the Team EasyBoot Blog.

If you are new into boots and would like short concise videos to show you the best methods to apply, remove and repair them they are available here! Click the name of the boot you are interested in learning more about. Epics & Grips - Bares - Old Macs G2 - Boa

Above is Amy's boy Larry, Jumping for joy in his Easyboot Grips